He crushed me to his chest, in an extremely tight hug. I felt him nuzzle his face in my hair, then run his hands up and down my back. He rested his head against mine, his hot breath fanning my face.
“Thank you,” he said in relief.
I smiled, just standing there, letting him hold me. The day’s events were catching up with me and I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was go home and crash.
He lifted his head and smiled down at me. He looked around and took a step back. He put his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet. It was when he looked back to me with his dazzling green eyes that I saw just how relieved he really was.
“Thank you,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I honestly can not stand the thought of you not working here, of not seeing you every day.”
He didn’t know but he was killing me with his words. I felt awful for keeping him in the dark about us, but I didn’t have a choice. “Well, I realized I was being foolish, but I will be honest and say it makes me sick what he’s doing. He’s letting his personal issues cloud his judgment and I can only hope he realizes it someday.”
He gave a ghost of a smile. “Don’t count on it.” He winked at me then walked back to his desk, sitting down.
I knew he was right, but it still angered me that this man just waltzed in here demanding heinous things of Paul. Why on earth would he want a man who obviously no longer wanted his daughter to take her back? Didn’t he want his daughter to be with a man who truly loved her?
I sat down across from him. “So, what are you going to do?”
He looked at me as if I should know the answer to this. “I’m going to tell him to go to hell, of course.”
I blinked. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea? I understand you not wanting anything to do with him but he’s a very powerful man, Paul. You don’t want to burn anymore bridges.”
“To hell with bridges. I’m a powerful man, too. I don’t need Walter Hammond or his idiot cronies. I refuse to play his game and I’m damn well going to let him know it.”
I gave up on trying to convince him otherwise while he was still so upset. He was a big boy and could handle this on his own. I just hated that this was basically over me. Weary at those thoughts hitting me again, I stood.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to call it a day. I just want to go home and forget this ever happened.”
His eyes looked at me from across his desk, and I could tell he wanted to say more than he was going to. “That’s fine, baby. I’ve had it too. Go home and get some rest. We have the meeting tomorrow with Halliday to be ready for.”
Ugh, the Halliday meeting. The reason I was letting him think we still had a chance. Guilt clawed at my insides and I suddenly felt like I was suffocating. I had to get out of there.
“Yes we do. I’ll review some things tonight and be here first thing in the morning. I’ll see you later, Paul.”
He looked up at me and smiled. “Have a good night,” he said softly.
Smiling weakly, I left his office and grabbed my things. I walked out and headed toward Ethan’s office. I wanted to tell him I was leaving for the day, and to let him know I didn’t end up quitting.
He was on his phone when I walked in. His eyes lit up when he saw me and he motioned me to come in. He gave me the one-minute sign with his finger and I nodded as I took a seat.
I sat down and waited for him to finish his conversation. When he finally hung up, he came around his desk and stood in front of me. I looked up and saw his hazel eyes filled with worry.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
I sighed and sat back in the chair. “I didn’t do it after all. Well I did, but then I changed my mind. Seeing him so upset over my resigning, I realized you were right that I shouldn’t do anything for now.”
He let out a breath and sat down. “I think that was wise babe. You don’t know what will happen after you tell him about us so not resigning right now was the right thing to do.”
I nodded. “I know. All I want to do right now is go home. I’m so tired. I know I told you to come by and get me at five but I told Paul I needed to leave early. I don’t suppose you can join me?”
He let out a groan. “Oh, Aly, you’re killing me. I wish, babe, but I have to do a few more things before I can leave. I’ll come over as soon as I’m done, though.”
I scooted up in my chair to hug him. “You better.”