Distorted. Part 23

They did and I set the files down on Paul's desk. He stood when he saw the men enter and walked around his desk to greet them. I stood back and let him handle the beginning of the meeting.

Paul extended his hand to Norman. "It's great to see you again, Norman," he said with a huge smile on his face as he pumped his hand.

"You too, Mr. Pierce. I was just telling Aly here how we are so grateful for you and all you are doing. The neighborhood seems different, happier."

Paul's smile broadened. "That's great. We are very excited as well." He turned his gaze to Sean. "And you must be Mr. Halliday. I'm Paul Pierce. It's nice to finally meet you."

Sean gave him a similar greeting as he gave me. He said a h.e.l.lo and shook his hand, staying behind Norman. Paul looked over to me and I just smiled.

"Please, gentleman, have a seat. Aly, I brought this chair over by me for you," he told me, pointing at a chair behind his desk. I nodded and went to sit down.

Paul clapped his hands together and sat down after the two men were seated. "Well, I say let's get right to the point. Aly and I appreciate you being here today, Mr. Halliday. We know how you have felt on this and are grateful to be able to express our thoughts to you."

Sean nodded, looking between Paul and me. "Yeah, I felt I was pretty clear in the email I sent to Ms. Chase a while back."

I froze, starting to panic. Paul sensed it and gave me a look. Looking back to Sean, he answered, "You were, but Ms. Chase is very pa.s.sionate about what we do and has only wanted the chance to talk to you so thank you for being here."

Sean nodded, continuing to stay silent. Norman looked over at him. "Sean, I know you have some questions for them, why don't you start asking?"

Sean shot him a look of annoyance. Paul sat forward, giving them his best smile. "That would be great, Mr. Halliday. Aly and I are here to answer any questions you might have."

Sean bristled in his chair, then looked directly at me. "Why did you talk to my daughter that day? You had no right to tell her the things you did."

His intensity caught me off guard and I froze. Paul and Norman both gave me sympathetic looks and I pulled myself together. "Yes, about that, I'm very sorry. I realize now that that wasn't very smart of me to do. I should have just given her our card and left it at that, but this is my chance to express to you why I did and why I feel so pa.s.sionate. When I saw your daughter answer the door to Norman here, my heart melted. I started imagining all of the things that we at Pierce Homes could give her and I got caught in the moment wanting to know what her favorite things were. Again I am sorry I went over your head. That was wrong."

Sean seemed to consider my answer. "I appreciate your apology, but you've planted a seed in her now that I cannot get out, no matter how many times I've told her we won't be involved in the project."

Paul steepled his fingers below his chin. "If I may interrupt for a moment, I'd like to ask why you are so against this project?"

Sean looked away from me and looked at Paul. "Because I can take care of my family on my own."

Norman started to say something, but Paul held up a hand, stopping him. "I understand that and I respect it. Is there any reason you haven't done that yet?"

My jaw dropped at Paul's question and I was sure that sealed the meeting. I looked to Sean and was surprised to see a faint smile appear on his face. I held my breath, waiting for him to answer.

"I don't see that that is any of your business, Mr. Pierce," was his answer.

Paul nodded, mulling this over. "You're right, but I can't help but wonder why you are so against us when you haven't done anything to improve your situation here. We can help give you that stepping stone to a better life for you and your family. I am just trying to understand."

Sean's jaw set and I could tell he was annoyed. "Well, Mr. Pierce, I'll tell you. I lost my wife to cancer recently and I'm left to raise our two young kids alone. The stress has been extremely high and I'm doing what I can to survive. While having you build me and the kids a brand new house sounds great, I can't get past how it won't be me providing it when I've always intended to. I want this to be something I provide for my family."

Paul shoved a hand through his hair. I could tell he was trying to keep his patience. Norman must have sensed this too as he turned to Sean.

"Sean, all Mr. Pierce is saying is that you have an opportunity for them to help you, let them. Give your kids this opportunity while you have it. It doesn't mean you are a bad father, or a bad provider. I see you are doing the best you can with what you've been dealt with. Let Paul and Aly just help you get on your feet."

I saw Sean think about it. I started to say something when Paul beat me to it. "I'm sorry for being so direct, Mr. Halliday. And I'm very sorry for the loss of your wife. I want you to know I completely understand your thinking and I do not want you to think we here at Pierce Homes are trying to one-up you in any way. We are going to go ahead with this project as you know, and it would make us so happy to have you involved."

I took the pause in the conversation and pushed the files toward Sean. "Please take a look at these and see the different home options. We have four new models we are debuting with the Hidden Creek project that we're very excited about. Just look through them and see what you think."

Sean grunted and leaned over to grab them. He opened the file and perused each sheet describing each model. I sat there, my stomach churning, knowing this was it. We'd have our answer from him before he left today.

I looked to Paul who gave me a comforting smile. He silently mouthed, "It's okay," and winked. I smiled back and waited for Sean to finish looking things over. When he did, he placed the file back on Paul's desk.

"Those all look real good," he started. "I appreciate what you both are trying to do and I admit I'm tempted. I just don't want my kids growing up thinking they'll get bailed out when times are tough. I want them to see their dad did good and provided for them."

I sat forward. "Please don't look at it that way. Look at it for what it is, a stepping stone to a better life. This is what we do here, it's our job. You aren't any less of a man if you accept our help. In fact, in my eyes you'd be more of a man."

All three men jerked their heads toward me at my last statement. I didn't back down, I meant every word. I sat up straight, looking at Sean.

Norman was the first to break the tension. "Well I hadn't thought of it like that, Aly, but I agree with you," he said laughing.

Paul continued to look at me quizzically, but didn't say anything. I looked back to Sean, awaiting his reply. He looked to me, his dark brown eyes smiling for the first time since he'd been here.

"Well, Ms. Chase, you certainly know how to sell a product, don't you?" he asked.

I smiled and nodded. "I do my best."

He shuffled his feet a bit on the carpet, looking at Norman, then back to me. "It still kills me to say this, but I know you're right. I know I'm letting my pride get in the way. I hate that I can't do this on my own, but deep down I think I'd regret letting this opportunity slip by. Not to mention the wrath of Heather. She hasn't stopped talking about it since you came by."

I smiled, realizing what he was saying.

He shifted in his seat. "So yeah, I guess I'll sign on for this project, but I would like to be as involved as I possibly can. I want to help as much as I can. I need to be a part of it for my pride I guess, as well as showing my kids we still have to work hard for what we want."

Paul clapped his hands and stood. "Of course. We'd love it. This is your home, Sean. You need to make sure you are completely happy with it. Welcome to our team."

Norman beamed and I stood and walked over to Sean, giving him a hug. "Thank you," I said. "You have no idea how happy this makes me."

Sean seemed a little put off by my hug, but I didn't care. We did it and I was on cloud nine. I went back to my chair and watched as Paul shook both Sean and Norman's hands.

"Sean, I must say you've surprised me. I was sure this whole time you'd say no," Norman said. "I'm so happy you changed your mind. You won't regret it."

Sean sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I hope not."

Paul clapped his hand on his back. "I guarantee you won't. This is great. If you have a minute, let's get your signature on a few things before you go to get things started."

Paul had him follow him to his desk where he produced some doc.u.ments. I was grateful he was prepared in case Sean changed his mind. I pushed the file of the model homes toward them, telling Sean, "Feel free to take this home and see what your kids like."

Sean grabbed it and thanked me. He listened to Paul explain what each doc.u.ment meant and that signing it gave his consent to start production. Sean nodded and would scratch his head every so often, obviously overwhelmed.

My heart soared when I saw him lean over and sign each doc.u.ment. Paul looked over at me and grinned, giving me another wink. I smiled and winked back at him.

Norman took me aside. "I really am shocked, Aly. The whole way here he was very adamant he wouldn't do this. I think what you said, about him being more of a man changed his mind."

I blushed a little. "Well, I meant it. I think pride can make someone do things that aren't in their best interest and his case is a prime example. I'm very glad he pushed it aside and decided to go ahead with this."

Norman gave me a smile. " Me too, Aly. Me too."

Sean walked toward us, finished with signing everything. "Well Norman, I need to get going to that meeting."

"Yes, of course," Norman responded.

Paul came up beside me. "Thank you both for coming today, and to you, Mr. Halliday, for agreeing to this. You won't regret it."

Sean nodded. "I sure hope not."

I touched his arm. "You won't."

He looked at my hand then at me. "Thank you, miss," he said then turned to leave.

Norman chuckled and started following him out. "Thank you both. Let me know when you'll be to the neighborhood next."

We both nodded and waved good-bye. Once they were out of sight, Paul and I let out a 'whoop' and he lifted me, swinging me around. I was so excited and still in shock he consented to do this.

Paul set me on the ground and stepped back. "Congratulations, Chase," he said with a smile.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you, Pierce. Congrats to you too."

We both stood there, basking in our success. Finally, something good happened with us. We did it.

We spent the rest of the day on a high from our successful meeting with Mr. Halliday. We'd both smile when we saw each other, Paul even giving me a high-five once as he pa.s.sed me at my desk. I was so relieved that he'd decided to have us help him and I found that I actually couldn't wait to go out that night, which surprised me as my talk with Paul was looming.

A few minutes before six, Ethan walked into my office, hands in his pockets. He had a grin on his face, which told me something was up. He continued not saying anything as he walked over to me bending down to kiss my cheek. I looked up at him, giving him a look.

He chuckled. "What's that look for?"

"You tell me," I teased.

He sat down and gave me an innocent confused look. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Aly."

"Oh please. Do you forget whom you're talking to here? Spill it."

He looked around, obviously trying to figure out if someone was close by.

"He's out for a few minutes, it's safe," I told him, knowing who he was looking for.

He relaxed and looked at me, his eyes on fire, then whispered, "If I could, I'd bend you over that desk of yours and have my way with you. I'm not sure how I'll be able to last tonight around you, angel."

My heart accelerated, but before I could respond a clearing of a throat brought our attention to someone else in the room. I turned and saw Missy standing there, grinning. I stood up and pointed my head toward her to Ethan, praying she hadn't heard him. He looked over and smiled when he saw her.

He bent down and whispered in my ear, "She didn't hear me." I smiled, liking the fact that he automatically knew what I was thinking.

"Ethan!" she squealed as she ran to him, hurtling herself into his arms. He grunted at the impact then laughed, hugging her back. I watched the two of them and couldn't help but join in the laughter.

"How are you, Missy?" he asked once he could finally get out of her grip.

"Fantastic, especially now that I've seen you. You're still as hot lookin' as ever," she said, giving him the once over.

He laughed, obviously embarra.s.sed. "Well, thanks. You look great yourself." He looked back to me, giving me a goofy grin.

She raised a brow. "Just great?" She had obviously tried to dress to the hilt for tonight. She was wearing a black toile mini skirt, a sheer teal blouse with a tight black tank underneath, and thigh high black leather boots. Her auburn hair was curled to perfection and rolled down her back, her blue eyes sparkling with the help of her dark black mascara. She was stunning and she knew it.

Ethan looked at me, then back to her. "You're very pretty, Missy," he said, obviously uncomfortable.

She laughed and patted his cheek. "Don't worry, stud, I'm not after you. I know you only have eyes for Aly here. My eyes are set on somebody else," she said, motioning her head toward Paul's office.

My jaw dropped at this, though I don't know why. It had been obvious that she had a thing for Paul from the first day she got here. She never stopped.

She started looking in her clutch for something, while talking to me. "Where is Mr. Handsome?" she asked, finally finding her lip-gloss and slathering it on her lips.

"Uh, he stepped out for a bit. He'll be back."

Ethan looked at me with questions in his eyes. I smiled at him, hoping he knew everything was okay. He walked over to me and bent his head so he could whisper in my ear.

"Paul's coming with us?"

I gulped and then nodded. "Yes, she invited him. I'm sorry."

His jaw clenched then relaxed. I saw him make up his mind before he even said it. "No, don't apologize. It's great. Maybe now he can start getting used to seeing you with me."

I gave him a nervous smile to which he responded by giving me a playful smack on my b.u.t.t. I yelped and looked at him in surprise. He just stood there, grinning.

Paul walked in at that moment and stopped when he saw all of us. "I hope I'm not too late," he said as he walked up to Missy, kissing her cheek. "How are you?"

She grinned, eating up his attention. "Better now that you're here. You're still coming with us, right?"

He looked over at me, then quickly back to her. "Of course. Just give me a minute, okay?" He didn't wait for her to respond but walked into his office. I could hear him clearing things from his desk and shutting down his computer. He walked back out a few minutes later and shut his door.

"All set. Shall we?" he asked, no one in particular.

Missy waltzed right to him. "We shall," she said as she stuck her arm through his. I seethed inside, but did my best to hide it. Ethan grabbed for my hand and we followed them out.

When we got to the elevator, Paul turned and asked me, "Where are we going and are we driving together?"

I stood there, not sure. I looked around at everyone, wondering what to say. Missy piped up.

"Well I think we should go somewhere fun and exciting!"

I laughed. "Of course you do, and we will. Let's grab a bite to eat somewhere first, then head to the clubs."

Ethan stood behind me, his hand on my waist. I didn't miss Paul's glare when he saw it, but I didn't know what to do, so I didn't do anything. Being around them both at the same time made me a nervous wreck. Luckily, Missy didn't seem to notice.

"That still doesn't answer if we're driving together or not," Paul said in a short tone.

Ethan spoke up. "I think we can all go together. I'd be happy to drive."

Paul nodded and Missy gleamed. I stayed quiet. I felt anything I did or say might rock the boat and I didn't want that.

We got to the parking garage and all piled into Ethan's Audi. I sat up front and Missy snuggled right up to Paul in the back. I could tell Paul was annoyed, but didn't push her away. I felt bad for him and wished this situation could be different. I then felt anger towards Missy for inviting him in the first place.