Distorted (Laura Dunaway) - By Laura Dunaway Page 0,3
go. Glad to see you smile,” Ethan said as he sat down across from me. This time I winked at him as I took a sip from my refreshed beverage. Normally I’d share the reason for my smile with him, but all I wanted to do at that moment was forget all about Casey Hammond.
The alcohol started to work its magic in me, so I sat back in my chair and relaxed. The band finally started playing and I felt the beat right away. Ethan started chuckling and extended his hand at me.
“Let’s dance,” he said.
Sighing, I set my drink down and stood up. Why the hell not, I thought. Paul certainly didn’t remember I was in the room. Walking with Ethan to the dance floor, I turned into his arms and swayed to the beat.
“I am really excited to start work on this new project,” Ethan started saying. I did my best to listen to him talk about his job and how much he loved it, but my mind couldn’t stay focused. Between the alcohol and hearing Paul’s laugh every so often, my mind was on overload. I hoped that Ethan didn’t notice.
The song ended and we headed back to our table. As we sat down, I felt a hand on my shoulder. “May I steal her away for a dance, Ethan?” I heard Paul ask. I tried to calm my accelerating heart when I felt Paul put his arm around my waist and lead me to the dance floor.
He twirled me into his arms when we got there and I laughed. He laughed with me and his smile took my breath away. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around very much tonight, Al. This evening couldn’t have gone better though, right? We really did it. We secured what we needed to do this project. I couldn’t be happier,” he said excitedly as he turned me around then dipped me. Still laughing as he brought me upright, I wrapped my arms around his neck and continued dancing with him, wishing the song would never end.
“I’m thrilled too,” I said after a minute. “This project is our biggest one yet and I can’t wait until it’s done so we can see the family’s faces. That is the best part of the whole thing.”
Paul looked down at me and smiled. “You really are amazing. I’m so lucky to have you. Thank goodness your uncle put in a good word for you,” he teased as the song ended all too soon.
Elbowing him in the ribs, we started to walk back to my table and he made a show of grunting and putting his hands over his so-called injury. “Whatever, Pierce,” I told him. “You were so going to hire me anyway.”
“Yes, yes I was. You were just too good to pass up,” he said.
Hearing that, I smiled. Walking by his side felt so right. I was happy until we reached my table and I saw Casey sitting with Ethan. My euphoria from dancing with Paul disappeared and the emptiness I always felt around Casey had returned.
“There you are,” she said to Paul as we sat down. Since she had sat in my seat, I had no choice but to sit in the one by Ethan while Paul took the one next to her. I dug deep to find the strength to hide my emotions, but I was dying inside when he put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. Ethan must have sensed what I was feeling as he put his arm around me and drew me in. Grateful for his support, I didn’t miss the quick glare Paul gave him.
Where did that came from? I wondered. And most of all, Why?
A few minutes later, Paul’s adoring fans took him away, telling him how proud they were to be associated with him and how they knew he wouldn’t let them down. While I agreed whole-heartedly, it bothered me that he didn’t get one minute to relax. It also bothered me that he’d left Casey alone with us as he walked away.
You could cut the tension with a knife at the table. Casey swirled the dark liquid in her glass as I watched her, wishing so desperately she’d choke on it. Ethan seemed to be oblivious to it, thank goodness. I sat there smiling sweetly, observing the room. Ethan continued to keep his arm wrapped around my chair and it actually soothed me, knowing Miss Thing over there was keeping her eye