Part 17 (1/2)

”Where's Ethan?” Missy asked.

”Oh, he already went to lunch with some guys from work,” I said, disappointment in my voice.

Paul looked annoyed at that, but I didn't care. ”That's too bad,” he said, when I clearly knew he didn't care that Ethan wasn't coming. ”Shall we, ladies?” he asked, holding out each of his arms for us to take. Missy latched right on, but I ignored the gesture and started walking out the door.

We drove in Paul's car to one of his favorite cafes a few blocks away. At least Missy was smart enough to let me have the front seat. Paul and Missy chatted most of the way, with me only adding one-word answers here and there. I was completely annoyed by the time we reached the restaurant.

Paul let the two of us out while he went to park. We went inside and were immediately led to a table. Missy and I sat down and perused the menu, waiting for Paul to arrive. When he did, he sat in the chair next to Missy, directly across from me. I barely looked at him for fear my eyes might tear him in half if I did.

We ordered our lunches and Paul immediately started asking Missy all about herself. I wondered why the h.e.l.l I was even there since they were acting like I wasn't. By the time our meals came, I was about ready to call a cab and go back to the office.

”You have a beautiful laugh, Missy,” Paul complimented her, then looked over to me. I glared at him then took a bite of my turkey sandwich.

”Thank you,” she replied. ”So, you two have been working together for a few years, right?” she asked, finally remembering I was at the table.

”Yes,” we both answered at the same time. Paul chuckled, I stayed quiet, still annoyed. He looked at me with a puzzled expression to which I just shrugged. ”Aly started working for me three years ago,” he continued. ”Hiring her was the best thing I ever did.”

Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before. He had been acting weird with me for no reason and now he started the complimenting. Wasn't going to fall for it.

”Oh that was so sweet,” Missy exclaimed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She daintily bit into her caesar salad, dabbing at the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

”It's the truth,” Paul stated, looking at me, his green eyes darkening.

”Thank you, Paul,” I said.

”So, Paul. Excuse me if I'm being rude, but I have to ask. Do you have a girlfriend?” Missy asked.

I choked on the sip of water I was taking and they both looked at me concerned.

”Are you okay, Aly?” Missy asked, leaning over to tap on my back.

Paul started to stand to come a.s.sist, but I held a hand up, stopping him. ”I'm fine,” I choked out. ”Just swallowed the wrong way.”

He sat back down after seeing that I really was okay. Missy then looked back to him. ”Um, no, I don't,” Paul answered her. ”I broke up with my long-term girlfriend a few days ago.”

My eyes widened in shock. He never told me he'd actually broken up with Casey. ”You did?” I asked, a little too loudly.

He turned to look at me and smiled softly. ”Yes.”

Missy looked between the two of us. ”Did you know her well, Aly?”

Still looking at Paul, I answered her. ”Well enough.” I knew Paul got my meaning by the look on his face. Mission accomplished.

Missy didn't pursue anymore and turned to Paul. ”Well, I'm sorry about that, but that's good news for all of us women,” she said, sitting up higher in her chair.

Paul laughed. ”Oh yeah? Why is that?”

Missy leaned over toward him, resting her chin in her hands. ”Have you seen yourself?” she asked.

Paul laughed harder at that. ”Well, yes.”

”There you go,” Missy stated. ”You are definitely a catch and if I play my cards right, maybe I'll win the prize.” She sat back against her chair, taking a sip of her Diet c.o.ke, still staring at him.

”Well Ms. Laughlin, you definitely don't hold back your opinions, do you?” Paul asked.

She shook her head. ”Nope, never have,” she said, giving him one of her dazzling smiles. ”Just ask Aly here.”

They both turned to me then. ”I believe you,” Paul said.

They continued chatting throughout lunch and when the server brought the check, I breathed a sigh of relief. Paul grabbed the check before either of us could see what we owed, insisting on paying for all of us. Missy didn't object, but I did.

”No, I want to pay for mine please,” I told him.

He shook his head. ”Please don't do this again, Aly. I want to pay.”

I argued back. ”I will do this because I would really feel better if I paid for myself.”

The server came then and Paul gave him his credit card before anymore could be said. I was seething inside, but kept my cool, not wanting to make a scene in front of Missy. Paul gave me a smirk and I shot him a dirty look.

The server came back and Paul signed the slip. We stood up to walk out when he was done and I stayed quiet. They didn't seem to notice as they kept chatting while we walked to the car. This time, I insisted on sitting in the back. Missy didn't oppose and marched to sit in the front seat. Paul looked over at me, but stayed quiet.

The ride back was more of the same, them chatting and me staying quiet. When we got back to the parking garage and parked, I jumped out of the car, telling them I had to use the restroom. I hurried inside and immediately hit the first bathroom on the way to the office. I stayed much longer than I needed to, trying to gain some semblance of calm.

It annoyed me that they were flirting so much with each other and it annoyed me even more how much it bothered me. Being in love, or at least severely in like, with two men was more trouble than it was worth. Paul was playing games as well and that was a huge turn off for me.

I wandered back to the office and, of course, saw them still chatting, Paul perched on my desk and Missy in one of the chairs. They both turned at the same time when I walked in. Paul got off my desk and came toward me.

”Are you okay?” he asked, touching my arm.

I shrugged his arm away and continued walking to my desk. ”I'm fine, thank you,” I said in a clipped tone. He gave me another look, but didn't say anymore. He turned back to Missy.

”Well, it was lovely meeting you and having lunch. I need to get back to work now, but I hope to see you again soon.” He took her hand and kissed it again. She flushed a bit and sighed when he returned her hand to her side. He turned around and looked at me. ”When Missy leaves, come to my office.”

I nodded and he went inside, closing the door. I heard Missy let out a huge sigh and looked at her. Her eyes were staring at his office door.

”Why have you never told me how gorgeous he is, Aly?” she asked, looking at me now.

”It never came up,” I said.

”Oh, whatever. We used to talk about guys all the time. What's going on?”

I leaned back in my chair. ”Nothing, why?”

”Something's going on. Do you have a thing for him?” she asked, her eyes widening in realization.

”Missy, I need to get back to work,” I said, avoiding her question. ”Write down where you're staying and I'll call you later.”

She looked at me with surprise, and I realized I was a little short with her. ”Um, okay. I'm just here for a few days so I'd love to see you one more time if possible, Ethan too,” she said, quietly.

I nodded. ”I'm sorry, I just have a lot going on. We'll definitely grab dinner and I'll make sure Ethan can come. What day do you leave exactly?”