man and I’d wanted him for so so long.
He snapped his fingers. “Aly?”
I shook myself out of the daze and looked at him. “What?”
He chuckled. “You zoned out there for a minute. I’m hoping you were fantasizing about me?” he asked, a knowing grin on his face.
I rolled my eyes. “I also need to tell you that I received an email from Norman this morning with a change of plans.” He raised a brow at that, but stayed silent. “Mr. Halliday needs to come this way for business on Friday and would rather meet with us here, at the office. Norman asked if ten o’clock would work. I looked at your schedule and your morning is free so I confirmed it with him.”
Paul sat back in his chair. “Oh, okay. I guess that makes it easier on us, doesn’t it? Although I can’t help but feel a little disappointed we won’t be getting another night away.”
“Nothing would have happened anyway, Paul,” I stated softly.
He sighed. “I know, but at least I would have spent that time with you.” His green eyes looked sad and a part of me wanted to reach out and comfort him, but of course I wouldn’t. I stood up, needing some space from him.
“Is that all? If so, I need to get back and do some work.”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’s all for now.”
“Okay, I’ll be at my desk.” I turned and walked out, before I could change my mind.
Why did I feel the damn tears brimming? When would I ever stop crying and be that strong girl I used to be? I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my eyes, turning to the computer to start working again. It was then I noticed I had a new email from Ethan.
Good morning, angel. These are for you.
Attached to his email was a picture of a bouquet of roses. I smiled as I stared at the screen. He really was so sweet and I absolutely needed this.
“And the real thing,” I heard someone say as I jumped in surprise. I looked up to see Ethan standing in front of my desk, holding a bouquet of roses. My heart slammed as I stared up at him. He smiled at me and winked. My mouth watered at the sight.
Today he was wearing jeans and a button down white shirt. His hair was spiky and his eyes were bright, looking at me. He was clean-shaven and all I wanted to do was run to him and run my hand down his face.
“Well, aren’t you going to take them?” he asked, laughing.
I got myself together and apologized. “Ugh. Sorry, Ethan, of course. They are beautiful, thank you.” I stood and walked around my desk to hug him. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I felt him nuzzle his face in my hair and plant a kiss on my neck.
“You always smell so good,” he whispered in my ear. “I could stay like this all day.”
I rested my head on his shoulder. “Me too.”
After a minute though, I raised my head and stepped back. We couldn’t do this at work, especially with Paul just a few feet away. I swore to myself I’d be professional at work and that had to apply to Ethan too.
“Thank you for these, they’re lovely,” I told him.
“Anything for you,” he said as he smiled.
I placed them on my desk. “I’ll need to go get a vase for them.”
He turned me to him and ran his fingers down my cheek. “How is today going? Are you doing okay?”
I nodded. “It’s actually going better than I expected. We talked and he told me he knew things needed to stay professional here at work. That made me feel a little better.”
He continued stroking my cheek. “Okay good. I’m glad he at least has some sense.”
“Mr. Halliday is coming up here on Friday now, he had a change of plans. So I won’t have to travel to Brewerton anymore.”
“Oh, that’s good news. Will Paul be at the meeting too?”
“Yes, and Mr. Shay. I’m hopeful this will be a positive meeting and that we can get Mr. Halliday to change his mind.”
He ran his thumb across my lower lip, sending shivers down my body, before putting his hand down to his side. “You will. I have no doubt.”
“Thank you, I hope so.”
“I’m sorry but I have to get back to work. I just wanted to come give you these and see you for a few minutes. I