from him, Aly.”
I hated that he knew me so well sometimes. “I’ll be fine, Ethan. It’s for work. There won’t be much time for me to think of anything else.” I’m not sure whom I was trying to convince, him or me.
Still looking skeptical, he turned to leave. “I hope so. Just be careful. Now that I have a chance with you, I won’t give up so easily.” I rolled my eyes and he kissed me on the cheek. Giving me a wink, he strolled back out.
I went back to my desk, still puzzled by Paul’s behavior, but resolved to stop focusing on it. I continued researching the Hidden Creek neighborhood. The more I read about it, the more my heart broke. How did this area go by unnoticed for so long? The crime in this area was ridiculously high. This was the first time I wondered if Pierce Homes had what it took to help. Going in, building new homes, and making the neighborhoods look better definitely helped, but this one was sure to be our biggest challenge yet.
I was so wrapped up in my reading that I didn’t hear Paul come out until he cleared his throat. Looking up, I waited for him to speak. He stood there against his door and I could tell something was on his mind.
“I’m sorry I acted that way a few minutes ago. I’m really stressed about starting this new project so soon after we just secured the funding for Glendale. Plus, Ethan has been hanging around more than usual and I’m not used to it.”
Now that bothered me. “Why does Ethan hanging out with me more matter?”
He rubbed a hand down his face. He seemed conflicted and I had no idea why. The thought that maybe he did like me more than I realized entered my mind but I quickly pushed it aside.
“Nothing. Forget I said anything. I’m just very stressed and eager to get this weekend over with.”
Was he saying he couldn’t wait to be done spending time with me? Doubt seared me as I realized that was probably what he meant. We’d never had to travel overnight for a neighborhood tour as they were all within an hour’s drive. Realizing he couldn’t wait to be done with it devastated me.
Turning back to my computer screen, I shrugged. “Well, it will be over with soon enough. I should get back to my research on the neighborhood so we can be as prepared as possible for the tour.”
I heard him sigh then walk back into his office and shut the door. Refusing to dwell on what happened, I forced myself to continue reading and soon fell back into the groove. At five o’clock I printed out a few things I wanted to go over more at home and shut down my computer. Stepping into Paul’s office, I told him I was leaving for the day.
“Aly, wait,” he said as I turned to go.
I turned back around. “Yes?”
“I can’t help but feel I’ve hurt your feelings somehow, but I can’t think of what it is I’ve done. Is everything okay?”
I was stunned he’d noticed. Feeling embarrassed, there was no way I wanted him to know that he had, in fact, hurt my feelings. I had no right to expect him to look forward to spending time with me. This was just business.
“Everything is fine. And no, you didn’t hurt my feelings. I’ve been wrapped up in learning all I can about the Hidden Creek neighborhood, so I’ve been distracted. Nothing to worry about.” I smiled when I finished, hoping it would add to my words that everything was okay.
His face showed relief and I felt it as well, knowing he’d bought my lie. “I’m so glad. I’ve been sitting here all afternoon, worried I’d offended you somehow. I’m looking forward to this weekend, but I’ve also been feeling the stress of taking on another project so soon, even though I know it’s the right thing to do.”
He was looking forward to it? I couldn’t keep up. One minute he couldn’t wait for it to be over with it, then tells me this? I was too tired to worry.
“It is the right thing to do, Paul. You know I’d tell you if I didn’t agree. These people needed our help yesterday and we are in the position where we can start the ball rolling. We’ll have to have another fundraiser sooner than we’d planned, but our reputation backs us up. I doubt it