You & I (Sequel to What A Feeling)

“Hey, Becca.”
“Hi, Grant. What’s wrong? You look irritated.”
Becca’s co-worker frowns. “The new reporter started this morning and I already can’t stand her.”
“Great. What’s her deal?” Becca asks.
Grant leans in close. “She thinks she’s God’s gift to sports journalism. The most rude and condescending person I’ve ever met.”
As he moves back, Becca can’t help but notice how great he smells. Her focus returning, she asks, “Wait, she got here like an hour ago and you already feel this way?”
Another co-worker walks by. “She’s such a bitch.”
Grant smiles. “See, she’s already alienated everyone. Except the boss of course, she’s kissing his ass.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I better get to work.” Becca says.
As she walks to her desk, Becca spots the newbie from across the room. She’s wearing six layers of makeup, four inch high heels, fake lashes, and enough hair extensions to choke a horse.
With a smug look on her face, she approaches Becca.
Becca takes in the expensive, tailored suit that she’s wearing, then looking down at her own jeans and sweater.
“You must be the famous Becca.” She extends her hand. “I’m Barbie.”
Becca tries to stifle a grin as she shakes her hand. “I don’t know about famous, but yes, I’m Becca. Nice to meet you.”
Barbie smirks. “You may want to save that last sentence. Just so you know, I intend on being the number one female reporter here, so that will make you number two and no one cares about number two.”
Becca furrows her brow. “Are you for real? I’m not here to play games with you. My career is very important to me, but most of all, I love sports.”
“Oh, how cute.” Barbie says with a condescending tone.
Becca’s phone rings. As she looks at the screen, Barbie asks, “Is that your boyfriend from the boyband?”
Becca quickly evaluates how much trouble she’d get in if she hauled off and punched ‘Sports Reporter Barbie’. Deciding she’s not worth it, Becca replies. “My fiancé is a musician, yes.”
Barbie smirks. “Fiancé, huh? Well that’s not husband, is it? He’s pretty hot.”
Grant shows up just in time to hold Becca back.
“I’m gonna kill her, Grant.”
“Yeah, well get in line.”

Later that day, Becca arrives at the Warriors practice facility. She’s writing an article about the new players on the team before the season starts.
“Hey, Becca.”
“Hi Steph.”
They share a quick hug.
“How’s Niall?” Steph asks.
“He’s great.”
“Tell him we need to go golfing again soon.”
“I will. He’d love that.”
As Steph returns to practice, Becca hears a voice in her ear, a voice she’s come to dislike already.
“Isn’t that precious?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you sound like a Disney villain?” Becca asks.
Barbie laughs. “Actually, yes. I always take it as a compliment.”
Becca rolls her eyes. “You would. Why exactly are you here?”
“The boss said I could follow some reporters around this week, get a feel of the area. Wanna introduce me?”
Becca laughs. “You’re kidding, right? You’ve made it perfectly clear you don’t want to work together, so you’re on your own.”
“Fine.” Barbie says, opening her blazer and pulling her shirt down, revealing more cleavage.
Becca shakes her head. “Honey, that don’t work with these guys; they’re too classy.”
Barbie gives her a ‘whatever’ look.

When Becca finishes her interviews, she realizes that Barbie is gone. Thank goodness. I just want to get home to Niall.

She arrives at home to find that Niall isn't there. She sits down to write her article, finishing just as she hears him calling for her. “B, you home, Darling?”
She finds him in the kitchen, preparing dinner. “Hey, Irish.”
Niall pulls her in for a kiss. “Hello, Babe. I missed ya.”
“I missed you too. I saw Steph today, he asked about you and wants to go golfing with you soon.”
Niall grins. “I love that guy. Now are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
Becca smiles. “I can’t put anything past you, can I?”
“Nope. Spill it, Darling.”
She sits on the counter, beside the stove, talking as she watches Niall work.
He listens, holding off any response until she’s finished.
“She does sound horrible. Can you manage her?” Niall asks.
“I told her I don’t want to play games. You know how important my career is to me.”
“That I do, Darling.”
“So, any advice?” Becca asks.
Niall puts the food on the table, then helps Becca down from the counter. “Don’t sink to her level. Just keep doing your job as you always have, with class and passion.”
“I’ll try, Irish. She’s infuriating though.”
“Just don’t get in a row with her.”
“Grant had to stop me today.”
Niall frowns. “Grant huh? You know he has a crush on ya, don’t ya?”
“No he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he does, Darling. Trust me.”
“Are you jealous, Irish?” Becca teases.
Niall winks. “Should I be?”
Becca grins. “He did smell nice today.”
“Hey!” Niall scowls.
She laughs. “I’m teasing. You know you are the only man that I love more than baseball, Horan.”
He laughs. “That truly is the best compliment a man can get from you, B.”
Becca smiles, then checks the time. “Speaking of baseball, a postseason game is starting.” She begins cleaning up but Niall stops her.
“You go watch, Babe, I’ll get this.”
“Thanks, Niall. You really are the best.” She gives him a kiss before leaving the room.

After the game, they lay in bed and Niall says, “I have some good and not so good news.”
Becca feels a pit in her stomach.. “What is it, Niall?”
“The good news is I spoke with a stylist friend and she is going to help you with the wedding dress shopping. She’s going to make it as painless as possible.”
She kisses his cheek. “Thank you, Irish.”
“The not so good news is I need to get in the studio to work on my solo stuff.” Niall says.
Becca takes his hand. “Niall, that’s great news. I’m so proud of you.”
“The studio...in England.” He says.
Her face drops. “Oh.”
“I’m sorry, Babe. I don’t want to be away from you, but-”
Becca interrupts. “I understand. Niall, I can’t ask you to understand the demands of my career, then not do the same for you.”
“I’ll miss you, B.” Niall squeezes her hand.
“I’ll miss you too, Irish. I wish I could go with you.”
Niall runs his fingers through her hair, letting his hand rest there. “I wish you could too, but I understand why you can’t. I’m proud of you too, B.”
“It’s been awhile since we’ve been apart. I’m not sure I remember how to function
without you beside me.”
Niall kisses her forehead. “Same for me, Darling.”
Becca grins. “I’ll send you naughty pictures.”
Niall cackles. “I look forward to that.”
“When do you leave?” Becca asks.
“Day after tomorrow.”
“You better take your vitamins, Horan, cause I’m gonna keep you busy until you leave.” Becca winks.
Niall rolls over, hovering above her. “I’m up for the challenge.”
Becca looks down. “Yes you are, big guy.”

Notes