Friday arrived quickly and I’m freaking out that it’s about time to leave for our overnight trip. While it did help that the rest of the week he behaved more like himself, I was still more nervous than I’d like to admit. Ethan had stopped by every day to say hi and flirt with me. I could tell it annoyed Paul, but I didn’t care. Ethan was my friend and he was welcome to stop in whenever he felt like it.
I was sitting there daydreaming when I heard Paul step out of his office.
“Are you about ready, Aly? I just have to make a few more phone calls, then we can head out.”
“Yup. I’m ready when you are.”
His green eyes dazzled me when he smiled. “Okay, great. I won’t be long.”
Deciding to go over the research one more time, I could practically recite each article I’d read. I felt fully prepared for tomorrow’s tour. I was eager to get going so we could get to the hotel and settle in. I wanted to get a good nights sleep before our big day tomorrow.
I finally heard Paul come out and shut his door, locking it for the weekend. “All right, the time has come. Let’s hit the road.” Laughing, I stood and grabbed my overnight bag from under my desk. He was waiting for me at the door to our main office and stood there to allow me to pass him so he could lock that too. Paul’s office took up the majority of the top floor. When you walked in, my area was the first thing you saw. It was more open than Paul’s, but was still hidden behind the walls that surrounded our corner. I liked that we had privacy, as I wasn’t comfortable being out in the open for all to see. Paul had complete privacy with his as he could shut his door and block everything out whenever he wanted. Inside, his office was surrounded by huge picture windows that showed off a magnificent view of the city.
Hearing Paul clear his throat brought me back to the present. I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. Even after having to hear Ethan’s many pep talks about moving on from Paul, I’d already decided I would. At least that’s what I kept telling myself.
We’d been on the road a little while when I looked over at him as he drove. The same adoration I always felt when I looked at him came over me and I sighed. I still loved him. Even though I shouldn’t, I still loved Paul Pierce.
Hearing my sigh, he looked over at me. “Everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m just sleepy. I always get that way on road trips.”
He smiled at me. “Well then get some rest. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”
“I don’t want to sleep. I’d feel bad if I did, leaving you alone to drive,” I told him, looking out the window.
“Don’t be silly. I’m fine and I don’t want you to get worn out.”
“It’s okay, really,” I said. The last thing I wanted to do was waste any precious time with him. While I knew this was just a business trip, it was still alone time with him.
“Truth be told, I prefer your company, but I honestly wouldn’t mind if you did fall asleep. Either way.”
I looked over at him. “Thanks.”
He looked back at me, then to the road. We didn’t say much for a while after that. We just sat there, enjoying the scenery on our way out of town.
As I admired the beautiful green pines and flowing waterfalls, I felt content. Being with Paul was easy. We’d always had a rapport that most bosses didn’t share with their employees. Even though he’d been acting strange lately, overall things were still the same with us and I was relieved. I’d never really felt uneasy with him and I definitely didn’t want to start now.
“So Casey wasn’t too pleased about this trip of ours,” he said out of the blue. Surprised, I turned my head toward him.
“What? Why?” I asked.
He sighed. “I don’t know. For some reason she feels threatened by you. She has for a while now. I haven’t said anything, but I can sense she’s getting more aggressive and thought I had better tell you so you’re not caught off guard.”
I started to laugh. He looked at me, surprised. “What?”
“You think I don’t already know this?”
“You knew?”
“Yes, of course. She is only civil to me when you’re around. But to be honest, I have no idea why she feels threatened. We just work together and we’re friends.”
He ran his hand through his hair, messing the waves. “That’s what I’ve told her, repeatedly. I think she envies you.”
I choked down my surprise. “She envies me?” I couldn’t believe it.
“Don’t act so surprised. You are a beautiful and confident woman who does a spectacular job. She sees how proud I am of you and our work and I think it bugs her.” He looked over at me to see my reaction.
“Well, I appreciate what you said about my job performance, but honestly, she has nothing to worry about. If anything, I should be jealous of her.”
He started to laugh, “No, no way. Believe me, you have no reason to be jealous of Casey.”
I looked at him, not knowing what to say.
“Don’t get me wrong. She’s great, she really is, but you possess something most people don’t. You are just natural at everything you do. You don’t try to be someone you’re not and you don’t bullshit around. You are just...well, you. It’s quite sexy, to be honest.”
Come again?
“Um, thank you?”
He burst out laughing. “I’m serious. You are one of a kind.”
The confusion burst inside me again for the millionth time this week. What had suddenly changed between us? He’d always been very kind and complimentary, but never like this. This was completely new and I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
“Anyway, I had to reassure her over and over that there’s nothing to worry about. I’m getting quite tired of having to do that with her. I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore.”
My head was spinning. Not only was he treating me more intimately, but he was now telling me he’s not sure he can continue being with his girlfriend? This was all happening so fast.
“Well, um, I’m not quite sure what you want me to say. I’m sorry you’re having some doubts about her. I think you just need to follow your heart. I’m a true believer that the heart never steers us wrong.”
His lips quirked up into a small smile. “I believe that too. I’m not sure what’ll happen. I’m not going to worry about it right now, though. We need to focus on this new project and helping the residents.”
Relieved at the change of subject, I nodded. “Good. That’s definitely what we need to focus on this weekend. Whatever is meant to be with you and Casey will be. Don’t worry about it for now.”
We were quiet the rest of the ride and I did end up dozing for a little while. We arrived at our hotel and checked into our rooms. Agreeing to meet for a late dinner in fifteen minutes, I hurried into the bathroom to freshen up.
As I looked at myself in the mirror, I finally absorbed what he told me in the car. Could he really be thinking of breaking up with Casey after all this time? Why had he suddenly started treating me differently? Why was he upset at the time Ethan spends with me in our office? Am I reading too much into this?
Deciding to once again push those thoughts aside, I ran a brush through my hair, bending over and rising quickly to give it some body. Parting it on the side, I then refreshed my lipstick and added more mascara, hoping it would give my olive green eyes some kick. Grabbing my purse and the room key, I left one lamp on so I could find my way around when I got back and exited the room. Taking a deep breath, I walked down the hall to the elevator and pushed the down button.
This is just business, this is just business, I repeated to myself.
The elevator arrived and I stepped in. As it headed to the lobby, I quietly stood and listened to the awful music. It reached the lobby and the doors opened. When I looked up, my heart stopped at the sight of Paul leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He had changed into light blue jeans and a white linen button down shirt. His hair was in messy waves and his jaw had some scruff.
I was so not thinking this was just business anymore.