Gail stepped out of one of the rooms accessing the work that she would have to do and thinking of so many ideas that would be great addition. She couldn't deny that there was so much potential here especially with since it's like working with a blank canvas. She couldn't help but notice the work her brother in law had done was phenomenal. Normally, she didn't mind this part, in fact she loved it, but not with him right at her heels. No matter how she tried to shake it off, she felt his eyes on her the entire time as the toured the place and he rattled off ideas that he had.
She cleared her throat once they got back downstairs and she jotted down a few more notes, "So, what do you think Ms. Young? Is it something that can be done?" he asked not enjoying the taste that it left in his mouth to call her out so formal.
"I believe so. It's going to take time, effort and money of course, but if we really work on it then it could be a big success."
"I told you that it would be a good investment." Mara said with a smile.
Patrick was about to say something when his phone went off, "Excuse me ladies, I have to take this." He said moving away from the group.
Gail couldn't help but glance at him a little as he walked away. He still had that tight ass, she thought and then immediately shook her head. What was she thinking?
"Yea, he seems to have that effect on women." Mara said and Gail immediately jerked her head up.
"I don't know what you mean." Gail shrugged.
"Come on now. I saw you checking him out. I mean, I'm the first one to admit, that my boss is really cute."
It was at that moment that Gail started to question what this relationship was with his assistant. They seemed really close and she was a beautiful woman. The thought sparked a hidden jealous that she swallowed.
"So, you and Mr. Adlam have known each other for awhile?" Gail asked.
"Oh yea, for awhile now." Mara said and Gail just nodded, "And then there's the sex we've been having."
"What?" Gail immediately said snapping the pencil she had in her hand in half.
Mara just started laughing, "I'm kidding. There is nothing going on between us. Patrick and I went to college together and pledge the same fraternity."
"Fraternity?"
"Yea, who said that it was just for the boys? I don't play those games. Patrick was the only person that really pushed for me to get in. We have been good friends every since."
"Oh, wow so since college, you have known him?" Gail thought of the many conversations that she had with him back in those days, "Are you M?"
"So, he did talk about me to you? I always wondered about that."
"Yea he did. Now I can finally put a face to the name; although, I did think the face was a little more masculine." Gail smiled and then swallowed hard before asking again, "So, nothing ever happened between you two?"
"Oh no, he's not my type." She said shaking her head, "We like the same thing."
"Oh." Gail said slightly confused and then it finally clicked, "OH!" Mara started laughing again, "Not that it matters if anything is going on between you two."
Mara just shook her head, "Sure, I can tell you really don't care. Well, believe me, he told me many stories of you. So much so that I had to constantly tell him to shut up when he talked to you for hours on the phone."
She remembered that too; the constant hours they spent on the phone with each other talking about nothing and everything. No use reliving those days.
"I imagine it must be kind of hard working with him again." She said and Gale took a deep breath.
"Somewhat, but I can handle it. Everything we went through is in the past."
"So, you grew up here?"
"No, I moved here after my divorce. I was staying there because I thought my mom needed me but every since she got her new boyfriend, I decided to move here by my sisters."
"That's right: Jade and Nicole, how are they doing?"
"Well Jade is still in her honeymoon stage with James and Nicole is doing very well in college."
"Has she decide what she is going to major in?"
"She decided she is going into sports medicine."
"Oh, she can go pretty far with that especially getting a doctorate. Does she plan on interning?"
"I hope so. She has been real dedicated with school and she was working for my sister's best friend."
"You have any friends around here?"
"Here? Not so much. I have one best friend I trust that lives back where I'm from but she is talking about moving here with her daughter."
"Your whole family is here? I wouldn't be surprised if your mom moves here soon."
"You know what? I wouldn't be surprised by that either." They both laughed.
"I hope I'm not interrupting any girl talk." They both looked up to see Patrick at the door.
"No, I was helping her with some decisions." Mara smiled.
"Right, Mara, I have a conference call in 10 minutes, you mine taking over for me?"
"My work is never done. I swear I should make you give me a raise."
He crossed his arms across his chest as he smiled at her, "I'm already overpaying you."
"I didn't say anything about over paying me. It's just the point I should ask for one." She said walking past him and he just shook his head.
"Great girl." Gale said packing up her stuff.
"She is a jokster but no one works as hard as she do for me."
"You're lucky. Well, I'm going to put some samples together and bring them to you." She said heading to the door.
"Gale, I am attending this party. It's full of investors and advertising people and I want to pitch the idea to them about the hotel. I was wondering if you would come with me?"
"Why should I?" she sighed looking over at him.
"Trust me, it's not anything romantic going on. It will be strictly business, besides there will be a lot of investor's wives just itching to redecorate their house."
Gale sighed as he obviously tried to bait her with that, "I don't know about this Mr. Adlam. I mean..."
"If it makes you feel comfortable we don't have to ride together or anything like that. I know you started your business here, you need some clients, and everything to start it off. At least let me help with the clients part."
"I didn't say that I need your help with that, but considering the type of party that it is, I will take you up on that offer." He gave her that award winning smile that used to make her weak, "When is it?"
"It's tomorrow night at the Hilton downtown." He went over to his briefcase and handed her a invite, "Here is an extra invitation, so you can get in and it is nothing extremely dressy so don't go out and buy something out the way."
"I get it Mr. Adlam; like I said I will go. I guess I will see you tomorrow and I will start working on a profile."
"Gale, thank you so much. I really owe you one."
"Oh, you really do and I will get it in my paycheck." Gale smiled briefly before storming past him, leaving him smirking to himself.
She's still sassy as hell, he thought as he listened to the click of her heels grow fainter. It was becoming harder to be so close to her. She was everything to him, from the moment he saw her. He kicked himself everyday for letting her go. A mistake he vowed he would never make again when he gets her back.
"So, what's the plan on this one?" Mara asked as she walked up to him.
"I just have to go with the flow. I have to let her lead everything until she opens up."
"Good, I'm glad that you aren't trying to play games or anything like that."
"I already hurt her too much and I promised myself that I wasn't going to do that again."
And he meant that, he just needed a chance from her.
Gale got back to her house kicking her shoes off as soon as she got in the door. Long day, she sighed looking around. She felt like she was holding on to so much stuff and that everything had her bound. She never thought she would be this close to Patrick again. Even though she accepted this job she still felt like either punching him or crying every time she was around him.
She took off her skirt and jacket looking at her face in the mirror. She had to be strong. She wasn't that same girl anymore. That same girl that was so head over heels in love, that had nothing but high hopes with the man that she thought she would be with forever. She unbuttoned her shirt and turned on her radio. She stopped when she heard that song, their song. She remembered that night perfectly. She collapsed in the bed as the harmonized voices wrapped her up in the memory of this song playing during their first kiss.
Gale couldn't believe how much fun she was having with Patrick. This was the sixth night they had snuck out after hours at the camp to hang out. Since during the day they spent their time with the kids, they would sneak away to be with each other at night. They would either take walks around the campgrounds or sit by the lake and talk. She been on plenty of dates with guys, but she never really allowed herself to enjoy it much. They had so much in common and she enjoyed how passionate he talked about his career goals.
They didn't do anything much but hold hands and he held her at times, but no kissing. She wanted to kiss him! Every time that she thought he was moving in for the kill, he would back off. What was the deal? She knew he wanted it too. That's fine, but she was determined to be kissed by him tonight. She had her hair pulled back away from her face, because he always complimented on how bright her eyes were and that he loved looking into them and she wore her favorite lips gloss that made her lips pop. He brought his radio and they had been talking and just enjoying the scenery.
"Did you see the picture that Jade drew today?" he asked.
"I did. I know mom would be so proud of her when she sees it."
"Yea, she said tomorrow, she was going to make me one."
"You really do have a way with kids." But I don't really want to talk about my baby sister, Gale thought.
"Not really, just a way with girls." He said giving her that sly smile, pulling her closer and she shook her head.
She sat looking out at the lake with his arms around her. There was a long silence but it was a comfortable silence. That's one thing that Gale really likes about Patrick, nothing was forced with them. It was a comfortable silence, but today it was a little uncomfortable only because she knew what she wanted. It was the perfect setting, the moonlight reflecting in the lake and the soft music playing in the background. She was so close to him and still nothing. What was wrong? She was for sure he liked her like that but nothing.
"Okay, that's it." She finally said getting up.
Patrick looked up confused, "What's wrong?"
"I think it's time I go to bed."
He suddenly stood to full height, "I thought we were having a good time, like always."
"Yea, sure." She said turning away from him.
He hooked her chin and turned her around to face those gorgeous eyes, "What's wrong?"
