Chapter 2

Paul sat back in the chair and took a drink from his chilled bottle of beer. He stifled back a yawn feeling his lack of sleep start to catch up with him. He'd been on his feet practically all day and had been up since the crack of dawn getting everything ready for Matt's party. Stephanie had been in charge of the decorations and drink while he had taken care of the food. Although he was a slouch when it came to actual chores, he did know how to cook and had impressed both Matt and Stephanie on several occasions with his culinary abilities. But right now, he could gladly give the party a miss and settle for an early night instead. Christ, he was getting old. Paul briefly closed his eyes as he waited for Stephanie to finish getting ready.

Moments later Stephanie walked into the living room and rolled her eyes noticing her friend was asleep. Her blue eyes gave him the once over. Paul scrubbed up not bad considering his usual evening attire was jeans and t-shirts. His blonde hair was a stark contrast against his black dress shirt and trousers. As she checked her watch, she realised that their guests would be arriving shortly and she needed to wake him up. However, Paul slept like the dead and a simple shake wasn't going do it. There was only one way to get the job done. Walking across to the stereo and picking one of her favourite tunes, Stephanie turned the volume way up and pressed play. She got the desired result as Paul literally jumped out the chair. He furiously wiped at his shirt where some beer had spilled soaking the cotton.

"Jesus Christ Stephanie! Are you trying to give me fucking heart failure?" Shaking his head, he muttered under his breath as he crossed the room and turned the volume down low. "You do know that old battleaxe downstairs will be at the door any minute now."

Stephanie chuckled as she poured herself a glass of vodka punch. "You're showing your age, old man."

"Old? For your information, thirty five is not old. Just ask lover boy. He's the same age as me, isn't he?" Paul took a sip of his beer, smacking his lips together. "Speaking of which, is he going to be gracing us with his presence tonight?"

Stephanie shrugged her shoulders. "He said he'd try and make it. He was going to try and change his shift."

Her boyfriend, Luke, worked at the same hospital as she did. In fact, that was how she had met him six months ago. They had started dating while she carried out her rotation in the A & E department where Luke worked as a junior doctor. They'd hit it off pretty well and got together whenever their shifts allowed it.

"Well, I hope for his sake he does otherwise he might have to fight for your attention." Paul's hazel eyes gave Stephanie an appreciative once-over. He took her hand and twirled her round, admiring her figure-hugging short, red dress. "You look gorgeous tonight McMahon even if I do say so myself."

"Why thank you, Mr Levesque."

Just then the doorbell rang and Paul grinned as he placed down his beer on the table. "Well, it looks like this party is about to get underway." He walked across towards the door and stopped halfway, flipping a wink in Stephanie's direction. "Just try and behave yourself tonight okay? I don't want to have to be babysitting you all night."

Stephanie stuck out her tongue and poured herself another glass of punch. As she heard the voices at the door, she smiled knowing tonight was going to be a lot of fun. In fact she was going to make sure it was. She was adamant this party was going to be a success……..

Matt walked over to Stephanie and shook his head in dismay as he watched the blonde currently slobbering all over their friend. "I don't see what the attraction is. All she does is giggle and flutter her eyelids."

"But that suits Paul just fine. As long as she's got a great rack, he doesn't seem to care."

"Still, you'd have thought he'd have settled down by now though. I mean at his age he should be past the stage of meaningless sex."

Stephanie took a sip of her punch. "You're kidding right? Paul still acts like some horny teenager most of the time. He's not ready for anything serious." She turned her attention towards Matt as she licked her lips. "So, are you having a good time birthday boy?"

"I am. And thanks again for the coat." He bent over to kiss her cheek. "Just remind me not to let you borrow it."

"Good idea. I'll just borrow Paul's next time." she laughed.

"So, where's Luke? I thought I saw him here earlier."

Stephanie nodded and pointed to the tall, slim dark-haired man in the corner. "He's over there talking to Tom, one of the guys I'm doing my internship with."

Matt nodded his head. "So, how are things between you anyway? I've been meaning to ask."

"Good, really good actually."

"I'm glad. You deserve it." he told her nudging her affectionately. Stephanie smiled and placed down her glass. She pulled Matt into a hug.

"Hey! Who said you could have a group hug without me?"

They broke apart smiling as Paul came over and joined them. Stephanie glanced over his shoulder noticing his latest conquest staring in their direction. She looked less than pleased and Stephanie snorted in amusement. "We would have included you but Barbie over there might not have liked it." She lifted her hand and waved at "Barbie" who seemed even less impressed. She glared and turned away from Stephanie to talk to her friend. "What is her name, anyway? I don't think I've seen her before."

Paul shrugged his shoulders as he grabbed another bottle of beer. "I don't know."

Stephanie looked at him incredulously and shook her head. "You haven't even bothered to find out her name? Paul, you've spent the last hour playing tonsil hockey with the woman. Don't you think it's polite to ask her what her name is?"

"Steph, I don't care what her name is."

Paul flashed a mischievous grin before taking a drink of his beer.

"God, you're incorrigible." She turned to Matt who was trying to suppress his laughter. She shook her head in disbelief. "Don't tell me you approve of his behaviour?"

Matt shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know why you bother. You know what he's like."

"Yeah, plus if I don't know her name then I get the perfect excuse not to call her."

Paul flipped a wink at Stephanie before walking back over to the sofa and smiling at his conquest for that evening. He held out his hand to "Barbie" which she quickly accepted and began to lead her in the direction of his bedroom but not before he looked back round and grinned wickedly at his friends before disappearing down the hallway……..

Stephanie groaned as she sat up in bed and swung her heavy legs over the mattress. She could feel the dull throbbing in her temples and she knew she was feeling the effects of a nasty hangover and it was little wonder. She'd lost count of the number of drinks she'd had last night and it looked like she was paying the price for it this morning. Shuffling through to the kitchen and pouring herself a glass of water, Stephanie reached in the cupboard and took out the aspirin.

"Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon!"

She rubbed her forehead as she turned round. Paul was standing grinning at her and she felt herself bristle with annoyance. "I don't know why you're so goddamn happy with yourself."

Paul laughed as he heard her grumpy tone and noticed her pale complexion and puffy eyes. They were the usual signs. It appeared his friend was most certainly hung over. "Well, I know how to handle my drink McMahon. You, on the other hand, don't."

Stephanie ignored him as she swallowed the aspirin and water. She sat down on the stool beside the counter and held her head in her hands. Paul watched her for a moment before he walked across to stand behind her. He rubbed her shoulders affectionately as he dropped a kiss in her hair.

"You need some breakfast and some coffee."

Stephanie pushed back her hair and smiled as she watched Paul rake in the fridge. He closed the door behind him carrying out eggs and some milk. "Is Matt up yet?" she asked him.

Paul nodded his head as he took out a pan. "He's up and gone. He's away to visit his parents with Naomi." He paused as he cracked open the eggs. "I guess Luke left early too."

She nodded. "He had to work." As she watched Paul prepare breakfast, she couldn't help but notice the smirk that had appeared on his face as he whisked the eggs. It piqued her curiosity. "What's so funny over there?"

The smirk turned into a full fledged cocky grin as he looked over at her. "I didn't know you were so religious, Steph. I mean I know its Sunday and all but did you really need to call on God so loudly this morning?"

Stephanie's face flushed with embarrassment as she realised Paul had overheard her and Luke in bed. She glared at him as he laughed. "Get lost Levesque. I'm not in the mood for you today."

"So I can see." Paul snorted with amusement as he continued to make breakfast. However, his amusement turned to sympathy as he noticed Stephanie slouch forward and place her head in her hands. Her complexion did look scarily pale. "On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it?" he asked referring to her hangover.

"Make it eleven."

"Uh oh."

Paul placed down the bowl and walked round to sit next to her rubbing her back affectionately. "You and I are going out."

Stephanie lifted her head, curious. "Out where?"

"Out for a drink. Hair of the dog, Steph. It's the only thing for it."

She shook her head vehemently. "No, I really couldn't. Honestly."

Paul stood up and grabbing her hand in his, he began to pull her to her feet. "Yes you can and you can keep me company in the process now that's Matt's bailed on me. It's the least you can do seeing as how I've tidied up the place after the party. So get that pretty ass of yours in that shower. By the time you come out, breakfast will be ready and then we can go."

"No Paul, I honestly can't."

"You can, Steph. Now go." He yanked her to her feet and looked at her sternly. "Now please."

Stephanie sighed as she made her way out of the kitchen. "I hate you, you know."

She heard Paul laugh as she made her way to the bathroom. Her stomach was churning at the thought of the afternoon ahead. God knows drinking was the last thing on earth she felt like doing right now but she knew protesting was pointless. If she didn't go, Paul would continually pester her until she gave in and she wasn't in any fit state to fight him. So she'd humour him and go and who knows. Maybe she might feel a little better in the process. Anything was better than feeling like this that was for sure……………

Hours later Stephanie had just polished off another drink and she smacked her lips as she held up the empty glass in front of her. "It's time for another I think."

However as she stood up, her legs gave way and she fell unceremoniously to the floor. Paul burst out laughing as he saw her sprawled at his feet. Stephanie shook her head in dismay. "It's so not funny. Get off your ass and help me up."

Paul stood up still laughing and bent down towards her. Pulling her up by the hands, he eventually managed to get her to her feet. "You're drunk McMahon."

Stephanie glared at him prodding her finger in his chest. "And it's all your fault you know." She staggered and fell against him, her body collapsing onto his. Paul shook his head as he wrapped his arms around her and pushed her into a standing position.

"I think we should go home." he suggested.

"But I don't think I can walk."

Paul rolled his eyes in amusement at her weak protest as he grabbed her arm and threw it around his shoulder. "Lean on me. You'll be fine. It's just a couple of blocks."

They left the bar and as they made their way into the street, Paul was practically holding her up. The wind blew Stephanie's hair into his face and he brushed it away. It was a long walk home and by the time they'd reached the apartment block, she felt like a dead weight against him. As they made their way up the steps, Paul nearly tripped and fell. This of course sent Stephanie into a fit of giggles and her laughter echoed down the empty stairwell.

"Shhh, Steph. You'll waken everyone up." Paul hissed at her.

"Hey everyone. It's time to rise and shine." she called out before bursting into another fit of giggles.

He shook his head as he tried to rush Stephanie along the hall. In the process he saw the light appear in Mrs Benson's doorway. He grimaced as he heard the key turn in the lock and had only just made it past the door when he heard it open.

"I might have known it was you two."

Paul turned round as he tried to balance Stephanie. He slapped down her hand which she'd raised to wave in the old woman's direction. "I'm sorry Mrs Benson. It won't happen again."

The lady scowled at him. "That's what you said the last time and the time before that. If you're not causing havoc in the hallways, you're having parties till all hours." She pointed her crooked finger in his direction. "Any more and I'll report you to the landlord."

He heard Stephanie snort and put his hand over her mouth to try and suppress her laughter. The last thing he needed was for the old dear to get riled up even further. "Point taken, Mrs Benson. Goodnight now."

Paul turned quickly around dragging Stephanie with him. He felt her body shake with laughter. He decided he'd keep his hand over her mouth at least till they got to the end of the hallway. It was only when they got to the door, he took away his hand and Stephanie flopped against him and laughed out loud.

"Did you hear that old bitch? Report us, my ass."

Paul chuckled to himself as he tried to get his key but he couldn't reach his pocket. It was underneath the arm that held up Stephanie as he tried to keep her from falling to the floor.

"Steph, reach into my pocket and get the key, will you?"

A few seconds later Stephanie placed her hand inside the pocket of his jeans and grinned as she playfully rummaged around. Paul closed his eyes as he felt his instant reaction to her touch. Damn it she was teasing him and judging by her laughter, she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Hmmm, I do believe you're enjoying getting frisked, Mr Levesque."

Her hand deliberately rubbed against him once more and Paul placed his hand on her wrist and stopped her. His breathing was deep and laboured as he looked deep into Stephanie's big blue eyes. Placing her back against the wooden door, he heard her sharp intake of breath. His eyes flashed black with his desire. As Paul lifted up his hand to gently brush away her hair, Stephanie licked her lips in anticipation. His face moved slowly towards her.

But suddenly Paul stepped back and before she could wonder why, Stephanie heard the voices in the corridor. It was Matt and he was obviously talking to Naomi. Paul cleared his throat and offered her a nervous smile as he let go of her wrist. She quickly glanced away as she took her hand from his pocket.

"I didn't expect to see you two out here. Where have you been?"

Paul was the first to turn round and he smiled at Matt who had Naomi hanging off his arm. He swayed slightly as he tried his best to focus. "Well I was trying to help Miss McMahon here in the door. She's had a bit to drink."

"And she's not the only one." Matt laughed as he stuck his key in the lock.

Stephanie smiled at him gratefully desperate to get inside. As soon as the door was open, she pushed past him making her way into the apartment. Without saying a word to anyone, she stumbled to her bedroom and closed her door. Throwing herself on the bed, she couldn't help but think about what had happened or what nearly happened. Sure, she may be drunk but she was fully aware of what went on with Paul out in the hallway. Or what almost went on. God, he had almost kissed her and what scared her was the fact that she had wanted the kiss to happen. She really had. Quite clearly she hadn't been thinking straight and she was grateful to Matt for coming home when he did because he had stopped them from making a huge mistake. And it would have been a mistake because she loved Paul. He was her best friend and she didn't want some stupid drunken kiss to spoil things between them. She'd talk to him in the morning and sort it all out. The last thing she needed was any weirdness between them. Paul was too important to her for that.