Living Alone Together - Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen.

William read the note on his desk that sat propped up against his coffee mug.

"He's gone.
Long story short - My sister's heart is broken.

I left to get some supplies at the office supply store. Your conference rooms are ready for Damien to present.
- Aislinn"

William knew he should feel happy about getting Travis to leave, but if Cora's heart was broken because of this, wouldn't it be best is Travis were to stay?

A knock startled him at his door.
"Come in."
Looking up he was surprised to see Travis walk through very unsure of himself.
"Hey... I, uh.. Just wanted to apologize."
"You know... It's done. Let's forget about it," William offered his hand out to Travis as he stood up.

Travis shook it. And William asked him to take a seat.
"So I guess you know I'm leaving?" Travis said nodding towards the note.
"I guess so. Don't know the details though."
"Do you have time to hear this stupid guy's side of it all?"
"Sure, do," William answered pointing towards his bruised eye. "I have no meetings until this baby clears up."

Travis winced.

"Sorry about that."
"No worries. Back to the story."
"Well... During the years after that night I mistook Cora for Aislinn, I've swatted away any ideas of being with Cora because she was practically married to that guy she supposedly broke up with. Anyway, it sounds stupid and like an afterthought, but really... I've been thinking about Cora more than Aislinn."
"So why have you been insistent about Aislinn?"
"I can't explain it... Guilt? Maybe I was hoping what I wanted from Cora, I could pick back up with Aislinn."

William could get the gist of how Travis felt. He shook his head.

"Why didn't you tell Cora straight out how you feel."
"I did. But too late."
Travis ran both hands in his hair and tugged at the roots in frustration.
"I told her. But she thinks it's only because I want an Aislinn look-alike."
"Is that true-"
"No!" Travis cut in.
"Maybe you should go away for a bit, Travis. Get your thoughts and life organized."
"I will. I'm letting you know now, I intend to come back for Cora."
"You do know it's a package deal, right?"
"The little boy?"
"James. His name is James, He's a bright boy... If I ever find out the man his mother's with doesn't care for him like their own, they'll have hell to pay."
"You don't have to worry about that with me, should she accept me when I come back."
"I'll hold you to your word."
"I expect you to."

Getting up, Travis offered his hand, and they shook with mutual agreement. To what? Probably everything they had just discussed.

Just as they walked out of William's office, Aislinn was taking a seat behind her desk.

She did a double take and waved at Travis "goodbye", as he walked out of the office.

"Good morning, Ace."
"Good morning yourself," she answered as she smacked a few folders around.
"No kiss?"
"When in my whole career span here at your company, did I ever give you a kiss?"
"Point taken. Damien in yet?"
"Yes," she answered curtly.
"Wow, points for segregating your personal from business."
"I know, right?" She exclaimed, exaggerating her brightness.

He walked around her desk to stand in front of her. Leaning down, his brows wrinkled with concern as he wondered, "Ace... What's wrong?"

Just then the phone rang.
Not moving from where he sat with arms crossed, Aislinn leaned into his whole upper and lower body to reach around for the phone.
After her usual spiel, she handed the phone to her boss.

"Long time no talk, brother. I'm thinking Thursday was a hit?"
"In more ways than one," he replied keeping his eyes on Aislinn.
Lacey chuckled, "Finally! Are you going for a second date?"
"I already had it. As a matter-of-fact, she's right here. I'll call you back later, ok?"
"Yeah... Sure," his sister replied dryly.
"Great. Talk to you later, Lace!"
Before hanging up he could hear the babies crying.

Like a beast spying it's prey, he smiled at Aislinn.
Her frown deepened when she tried to get up, but his hands pushed her back down at the shoulders.

"Don't leave, Ace."
"I'm going to need to," she answered. "Damien's clients are here."
"Oh..."
"How's the Howard presentation going?"
"It's done. I must be inspired."
She blushed, "Yeah, you must be."

Aislinn addressed the people waiting in the lobby, and led them to the boardroom.

How could she work like this?

Aislinn fretted over that question.

The butterflies in her stomach went full on crazy when she sat at her desk this morning, waiting to see William. Knowing he'd be in any minute, she busied herself with his coffee and writing the note about Travis and his sister.

Not able to take or shake the anticipation stirring within her, she went for a walk to stock up her stationary supplies.

Between staples, post-its and file folders, she contemplated between staying or going. Going really wasn't an option; the money was good enough to keep up her portion of the monthly bills.

It should be fine, she told herself.

Just act normal.

But how could she? She had already snapped at William unable to keep cool.

Ok, next time, she silently promised I will make sure I'm my normal self in the office with William.

I will not get grouchy from not being able to get too personal with him.
I will not think of him romantically while he is my boss.
I will keep my cool.

Ugh. Sacrifices.
He wasn't making her professional life any easy by giving her meaningful glances when she walked into his office to drop off papers. It also didn't help that he always tried to put the moves on her when they were alone in the hallways.

By the end of the Wednesday, he had been reprimanded more than you could count with your hands and toes.

William felt it was a challenge to get Aislinn to loosen up at work. In the end they'd never get around to talking about it, because she'd make up for the day, in the evenings.