Distorted (Laura Dunaway) - By Laura Dunaway Page 0,2
should, I stopped at the bar and ordered a vodka tonic. Turning around and perusing the room as I took a sip, I couldn’t help it when my thoughts went back to Paul, wishing it was me he was holding under his arm and not her. She didn’t deserve him and I would never understand what it was he saw in her.
I looked over to him again. I smiled as I took another sip, feeling grateful that I worked so closely with him. Landing the job as his assistant really was a dream come true. My heart has always been with helping those in need, so when I heard Richards longtime assistant decided to retire when he did, I eagerly applied for the job. My uncle was the architect who had helped Richard on many of Pierce Homes projects, so I unashamedly used my connections. When I told him I’d applied for the job as Paul’s assistant, my uncle was more than happy to make a phone call to Richard, singing my praises. While there was no question I was qualified for the job, having my uncle’s help didn’t hurt.
That was three years ago and as I now looked out at Paul among the crowd, I couldn’t believe how far we’d come. I knew we had so much more to do, and I was looking forward to it. Being a part of Pierce Homes was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I was determined to not let my feelings for him interfere in any way.
I pushed myself away from the bar and felt a hand grasp my arm. Turning, I saw my best friend Ethan Baker before me and I smiled with relief that he had finally found me. Ethan was an executive at Pierce Homes, getting the job with my help. It was fun working with him, even though I swore we’d get into trouble one day because of how silly we could be together, but I couldn’t help it; he brought my inner child out of me. Ethan had many of our fellow female employees after him. He had light brown hair cut short with spikes on top and warm hazel eyes. If I weren’t so head over heels for Paul, I’d be in line with the rest of them.
“Hey, beautiful. Great job tonight,” Ethan said with a lazy smile.
“Why thank you, Mr. Baker. I’m very happy with how things turned out. This new neighborhood will benefit greatly from Paul’s service.”
“And yours as well. Don’t be so modest. I know all of the hard work you put into making Pierce Homes what it is. You deserve the congratulations too.”
I smiled at his words and nodded. “Thanks. I do my best to make it what it is. I know these new homes Paul is pledging for tonight will be our best yet.”
Ethan lifted his hand and lightly brushed my cheek. “You are incredible, Aly,” he told me. Blushing, I turned my head and immediately heard Paul’s laughter. Remembering it was Casey who was with him, and not me, I downed the rest of my drink. I scowled at Ethan when I heard his chuckle.
“What?” I asked in a bitter tone.
“Oh, Aly, I can tell you’re upset. Let me get you another one?” he offered, pointing toward my now empty glass. Laughing, I nodded and told him what I was having. He took the glass from my hand and winked.
“I know what you’re having. Last I checked, we were best friends,” he teased as he walked to the bar.
I spotted an empty table close by, so I walked over and sat down with a sigh. I told myself I had to be satisfied with only being Paul’s assistant, that it was rewarding enough. Deep down all I really wanted was to be his, to be working on these homes as a couple with the same dream. Paul had been with Casey for as long as I’d worked for him. I’d give him credit- she was pretty, but her personality stunk. When you got past her perfect white blonde hair and ice blue eyes, there wasn’t much. She came from wealth as well and flaunted it every chance she got. Her perfect body came from countless hours at her father’s gym, working out with her personal trainer. She was on her fourth one, last I heard. The previous trainers quit on her because of her less than charming personality. I couldn’t help but smile at that.