The Boss’s Proposal(39)

Laurel was scanning the room hoping to spot Ben but she couldn’t see him anywhere.

‘’No guesses as to who you’re searching for,’’ said Jennifer. Paul frowned and looked at the ground before wandering off into the melee of bodies.

‘’What’s up with him?’’ Laurel asked.

‘’I think he likes you, sweetie,’’ Jennifer replied.

‘’Yeah, he definitely does!’’ Amy chimed in unexpectedly, ‘’He can’t take his eyes off you in that dress.’’

Laurel looked crestfallen, ‘’I had no idea…’’ she started.

‘’Well maybe if you’d tear yourself away from the rink once in a while and had a look around you to see what’s going on with your real friends, you might be a bit more clued up,’’ Jennifer gently scolded her friend, ‘’I mean, you don’t tell me anything these days. Are actually together with the bad-boy now? Have you hooked up? Do you like him? Cos a couple of weeks ago you couldn’t stand the guy!’’

‘’I will fill you in I promise’’ Laurel sighed, ‘’As soon as I know what’s going on myself.’’

Life was getting so complicated, she thought. But she hugged her friend and they piled outside with the rest of the students when the band started playing and swayed happily, waves of music and laughter sweeping over them. Laurel grinned as Jennifer spun her around and it was like old times again when they were at high school and inseparable. ‘’But really, I promise I’ll tell you more when there’s anything to tell,’’ Laurel whispered to her friend and Jennifer smiled and said, ‘’I know.’’

Suddenly she realized Ben was standing beside her, with a busty brunette hanging off his arm. She stared at them open-mouthed.

‘’Pompoms’’ he grinned. ‘’You made it. Nice to see you’re having fun for once. This is Cindy.’’

‘’Hi Cindy,’’ she muttered aggressively as she glared at Ben.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. ‘’Don’t be jealous now Pompoms. There’s plenty of me to share. Maybe you and Cindy would enjoy getting better acquainted too… I mean minus your clothes, that is. Cracking dress by the way.’’

Laurel forced her way through the crowds and just about made it to the bathroom before bursting into tears. Heartless bastard she thought to herself. How could he do that to me?

There was a knock at the door. ‘’Go away!’’ she yelled through her tears, but opened the door when she realized it was Paul.

‘’What’s up Laurel?’’ he asked, looking genuinely concerned, ‘’I saw you running past looking upset so I came to see if you’re ok.’’

Paul was wonderful, caring, intelligent, and handsome. Why hadn’t she considered him before?

She hugged him hard, crying into his shoulder.

‘’Sit down,’’ he said, ‘‘and calm down, and tell me everything.’’

‘’It’s all such a mess!’’ Laurel sobbed and proceeded to fill her friend in on everything that had happened from the very beginning, even including, briefly, the naked episode on the ice, and also her discovery that Paul had feelings for her.

‘’He’s a bastard!’’ Paul exclaimed. ‘’Don’t feel guilty about blackmailing him. He deserves to be blackmailed. What a snake! To sleep with you and then show up like that with another girl. And then suggest you join them in bed! What a heartless douchebag!’’

‘’I know, he’s such an evil fucker’’ Laurel agreed through gritted teeth but she didn’t really mean it. She was just relieved to have someone on her side.

Paul leaned in and she realized he was attempting to kiss her. She backed away, horrified and realized immediately why she could never date Paul. He reminded her exactly of her older brother. That would just be weird, she thought.

‘’I’m sorry Paul, I just don’t feel that way about you.’’

‘’I know you don’t,’’ he agreed, dejectedly, ‘’Don’t worry, I know we’ll still be friends. Apparently you go for the bad-boy type instead of the funny intelligent caring type.’’

She giggled and poked him, ‘’You’re very handsome too, you forgot to mention that.’’ and he smiled, a sad smile but a smile nonetheless.

She sighed and leaned back against the bathtub. ‘’To be honest Paul, I don’t think Ben’s an evil fucker. I need to go talk to him and figure this out.’’