him. I was such a fool. Deep down I knew he was the right one, but having loved Paul for so long, I didn’t see it. I was about to respond when the server appeared.
“Sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to see how your meals are tasting?”
Ethan smiled, his eyes never leaving mine. “Mine is great. Aly?”
I looked at my plate. I’d hardly taken a bite. “It’s good,” I told him.
He nodded and walked off. Ethan and I continued just sitting there, staring at each other. We both seemed to be in shock at what had just occurred. He finally broke the silence.
“What now? What about Paul?”
My mood took a dive at the mention of Paul’s name. I hadn’t even thought about that. “Oh, man. Paul...” I said in a whisper. Ethan started rubbing circles on my hand with his thumb.
“It’s okay, Aly. I know it’s hard and a lot will change but if it’s the right decision, it will work out.”
“I know it’s the right decision, Ethan,” I said, leaning over the table closer to him. “Without a doubt, I know it’s right.”
He leaned closer to me and ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “Good. Everything will work out. If you want me to be there when you tell him, I will.”
I shook my head. “Thank you but no. I need to do it on my own. I need to get through the meeting with Mr. Halliday first. I’ll tell him soon though.”
He frowned at that. “Are you sure? I hate to see you having to deal with him like you have been. I also want to shout to the world you’re finally mine,” he said with a grin.
I laughed. “Believe me, I do too. I promise I’ll do it soon. Please just give me a few days.”
He nodded. “That’s fine, Aly. No pressure. You’ve just made me the happiest man alive, how can I complain about anything else?” He leaned even closer and planted a light kiss on my lips. “I love you so much. Thank you.”
I looked at this man, this man who had been my best friend for so long. I looked at this man who was now my love, my soulmate, and I felt such an overwhelming peace I thought I’d cry from the relief it brought me. To know who I wanted, who I was supposed to be with, meant the world to me. Realizing I’d be hurting Paul brought knots to my stomach, I don’t think I’d ever have to do anything harder than tell him we wouldn’t be together. But looking back up at Ethan, I knew it would be okay, that I would finally be okay.
We sat there eating the rest of our lunch just holding hands and staring at one another. I swear it was like we were in a cheesy romance novel, but I didn’t care. I was finally with my man. Our server came with the bill. Ethan gave him his credit card. When he came back Ethan signed it, then stood. He grabbed my hand and we walked slowly back to work. I caught him looking over at me a few times, when he finally pulled me to him and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Being with him felt so right, so comfortable. I never questioned anything when I was with him. I was happy.
We got back and he pulled me into an empty conference room. I giggled as he shut the door with his foot and pulled me into his arms. Before I could say anything, his mouth was on mine in a mix of pure passion and lust. All I wanted to do was stay like that forever, to just be with Ethan and nothing else. When he finally released my lips, he brushed some hair behind my ear and looked at me.
“I love you so much, Aly,” he whispered. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me. A weight I didn’t realize was so heavy has been lifted and all I want to do is take you home and show you just how much you mean to me.”
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you too. I can’t wait.”
He returned my kiss and groaned when I pulled away. I laughed and ran my hand through his spiky hair. “We both need to finish out the work day at least. Come get me at five?”
He growled and wrapped his arms around me in a huge hug. “Nothing