Paul first, but I’m still going to go out with her.”
I felt relief rush through me. “Good, you should. Don’t let what I said stop you. It’s been a while since you’ve taken a lady for drinks, I hope you have a great time.”
“Thanks, Aly. Sorry I got weird there. You know you’re my favorite girl, right?”
Grateful the old Ethan returned, I gave him a big smile. “Of course. I’m always here for you, Baker.”
“And you’ll listen to all of my gory details later?” he asked, raising a brow.
I gave him a salute. “You know I will.”
He stood and walked over to me. He lifted me from my chair and pulled me into a tight bear hug. He squeezed me so tight that I squealed.
“When you want me to take you out for drinks, just let me know,” he teased as he tapped my nose with his finger.
“Ha ha, Ethan. I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, even though I knew he meant more behind it than I did.
I withdrew from his hug just as Paul walked out. He looked at the two of us, and then focused his gaze on me. “Hey, Aly, I need you to come in here for a second. I need your input on something. Hello, Ethan,” he said as he walked back into his office.
Still buzzing from what happened between us this morning, I was nervous to go to his office and be alone with him, but working so closely with him was part of my job. I had to push my nerves aside.
“What’s going on?” Ethan asked.
Startled, I looked at him. “What do you mean?”
He looked at me like I was ridiculous. “C’mon, this is me. You can’t hide anything from me and you know it. Something happened. Tell me.”
How in the world could he know that?
I sighed and motioned for him to follow me. I walked him toward the entrance to our office and around the corner. I didn’t want Paul to hear me say anything.
I told Ethan what had happened after Trisha left our office. He looked at me the whole time and his eyes widened when I got to the part where Paul told me I was hot. I blushed as I told him.
“Are you kidding me, Aly?” he asked bewildered.
“No,” I said. “He said it, I swear.”
He let out a low whistle. “You need to be careful. Just because he’s with Casey doesn’t mean he doesn’t have feelings for you. It’s obvious he does, or else he wouldn’t have said that.”
I shook my head. “No, I think he was just flirting a little. There is no way he likes me more than a friend and co-worker.” Suddenly the picture of him kissing me in the hotel parking lot flooded my memory. I still hadn’t told Ethan about it and I wasn’t about to now.
“Aly, you’re crazy. Just be careful, okay?”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
I walked back to my office after wishing Ethan luck on his date with Trisha. I had just sat down when I remembered that Paul had asked to see me. I stood and walked into his office, pausing when I saw he was on the phone. When he saw me, he motioned me to come sit down.
“Norman, thanks for letting me know. That’s fantastic news. Aly just walked in so I’ll share it with her. Oh, and as soon as you can, let me know the final count of residents wanting our help.”
My hopes soared as I heard him talk and I was dying to be told Sean Halliday had changed his mind. I was on pins and needles waiting for Paul to end the call. When he finally did, I looked at him eagerly.
“Mr. Halliday changed his mind?” I asked excitedly.
Paul smiled at me. “I knew that would be what you were hoping, but no, I’m sorry. Norman just called to tell me that two of the families who had been hesitant changed their minds and want us to help them. He said Sean Halliday was still sticking to his guns, that he won’t budge.”
My heart sunk. I told myself I was being silly, that this was just business, but I was upset he wouldn’t change his mind.
“It’s okay, Aly. We’re helping so many others. It’s too bad he won’t let us help him, but we can’t force it.”
I fought the sadness trying to take over my mood. “I know. I don’t know why I’m so upset over this, but I am. I can’t get the