Chapter 4

Paul inwardly groaned as he saw the auburn-haired woman making her way towards them in the bar. He didn't know why but Naomi grated on his nerves. He had tried to make an effort to like her for Matt's sake but there was just something about her that irritated him beyond belief. He forced a smile and bit his tongue as she walked up to their table. "Naomi! What a surprise to see you here."

As Paul took a sip from his beer, he hoped he hadn't sounded overly sarcastic because it really had been no surprise to see her at all. He was just amazed it had taken her so long. After all, he and Matt had been here for at least a couple of hours. He had expected her "Matt" radar to have kicked in by now. He diverted his eyes as she and Matt embraced.

"So honey, have you missed me?"

"You know I have sweetie."

Paul tried not to cringe as the most irritating woman in the world started to paw at Matt's chest. Her spindly arms wrapped around his neck as she sat on his knee. "So Naomi, Matt tells me you're on a girl's night out."

Naomi made a face as she replied. "I was supposed to be but my two friends cancelled at the last minute. Can you believe it? And because I didn't much like staying in on my own so I decided to join you guys instead."

He forced a smile while inside he groaned loudly. It looked like his night was about to take a downward spiral and fast.

"So, where's the third member of the Three Musketeers anyway?"

Matt smiled at his girlfriend and ignored the bemused look on Paul's face. "Steph's working tonight so it's just me and Paul."

"Well it's just as well I'm here then. I can take her place." She flashed Matt a grin before placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

Paul stood up raking his fingers through his hair. If Naomi was staying, he definitely needed another drink. "Matt, can I get you another?" His friend nodded and smiled. "Naomi, what can I get you?"

"I'll have a Sex on the Beach please but tell Jack I don't want any of the shit that goes with it."

He rolled his eyes lightly cursing under his breath as he made his way towards the bar. Why the fuck couldn't Naomi drink beer like everyone else. She probably got a kick of making him ask for the stupid cocktail. It was a sports bar for Christ's sakes. It wasn't the fancy upmarket establishments she usually frequented.

Paul pulled out the stool and sat down, smiling at Jack the bar tender as he approached him. "Hey man. Can I get two beers and a Sex on the Beach for the lovely lady over there? Oh, and she doesn't want any of the shit that goes with it by the way."

Jack laughed as he grabbed two bottles from the fridge underneath him. He knew all about Naomi ever since she had starting coming here with Matt. Personally, he didn't mind her but he knew she got on Paul's nerves. Although he hadn't said as much, it didn't take Einstein to figure that one out. "So no sign of Stephanie tonight?"

Paul shook his head as he took out his wallet. "No. She had to work unfortunately."

Jack smiled to himself as he turned away to prepare Naomi's drink and noticing the tone of disappointment in his voice. He had a lot of time for the three friends, in particular Paul and Stephanie, and had been surprised to find out they were nothing more than friends. With the way they acted around one another, anyone would think they were a couple. And he knew if Paul had anything to do with it, they would be. Jack prided himself on being a very observant man and it was plain to see that the young man was clearly in love. He had noticed the way he looked at the young girl when he thought she wasn't looking and the way his touch lingered that little bit longer than it should.

"On second thoughts, will you give the lady all the trimmings?"

Jack turned round with a confused expression on his face. "I thought she didn't want any of it?"

Paul grinned. "She doesn't. They annoy the hell out of her."

The bar tender shook his head and laughed. There was no need to ask any more questions. He finished preparing the cocktail and he couldn't help but notice the mischievous glint in Paul's eye as he lit the sparkler.

Paul accepted the drinks and smiled as he handed over the money. "Thanks man."

Jack watched him walk over to the table and snickered to himself as he saw the look of disgust on Naomi's face. Round one to Paul………..

Paul slammed the door shut and threw his keys on the table. As he walked towards his room, he couldn't help but notice the light shining under Stephanie's door. He frowned as he looked at his watch. It was only ten thirty and he was sure she said she was working until midnight. He lifted his hand to knock on the painted wood then quickly decided against it. Luke might be in there with her and the last thing he wanted was to walk in on the two love birds. The thought of them being together in bed actually made him sick to his stomach. He had just started to walk away when he heard her voice call out.

"Paul, is that you?"

He backtracked and opened her door. Paul's head peeked around the doorway and he saw her sitting up in bed. He immediately noticed Stephanie looked ill. Her normally vibrant eyes were puffy and red and her skin had an almost translucent colour to it. He moved and stood inside her room, his brown eyes wearing a worried expression. "Hey. How ya doing?"

Stephanie sniffed and sighed. "I'm sick. I got sent home a few hours ago. It looks like I've picked up that damn flu bug that was going around."

Paul walked across towards her and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Well I was thinking you didn't look so hot."

"That's right Levesque. Kick a girl when she's down."

He grinned and was about to shuffle closer when Stephanie held up her hand. "You might want to keep your distance in case you catch it."

"Nah. I never get sick." Paul had an almost cocky expression on his face as he deliberately moved forward.

She shook her head in amusement. "So what are you doing back so early anyway? I thought you and Matt were out for the night."

Paul grimaced. "Psycho appeared."

Stephanie laughed which started a fit of coughing. He winced as he heard it thinking it sounded almost like a bark. He reached across and passed her the glass of water from her nightstand. She smiled at him gratefully as she took a sip. Satisfied that the coughing had stopped, she passed him back the glass.

"You shouldn't call her that. She's harmless enough."

"Harmless, my ass. I'm just waiting for the rabbit to appear on the stove. Anyway, I'd better go and let you get some rest."

As Paul went to stand up, Stephanie's hand reached out to stop him. He tried to ignore how hot her skin felt against his or how nice.

"Don't go just yet." She shifted her body across the double bed and patted her hand against the crumpled sheets. "Stay and keep me company. I can't sleep anyway. God knows I've tried."

Paul smiled and against his better judgement, he removed his coat. "Well, if you need anything you'd better say now because once I'm in that bed, I refuse to move."

Stephanie smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine but thanks."

As he sat down on the bed to remove his shoes, Paul tried to ignore the nagging voice in his head telling him this was a huge mistake. God knows when it came to his feelings for Stephanie, he was past the point of even trying to reason with himself. Paul got into bed and as he propped himself against the pillows, Stephanie moved her head to lie on his chest. Letting out a slow breath, he lifted up his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. The light smell of her perfume invaded his senses. He felt her snuggle closer as they lay there together.

"So, I take it Matt is with Naomi?"

"Uh huh. The love birds decided to take their little make out sessions to her place."

Paul frowned feeling the burning heat through the material of his t-shirt and placed his hand across Stephanie's forehead. Her skin was on fire and felt extremely clammy. His nose crinkled with his concern. "Steph, are you sure you're okay? You're burning up."

"I guess I've got a temperature. I've taken some paracetemol though so it will hopefully die down." She let out a loud yawn and she lifted her head up to look at him. "There must be something comforting about lying in your arms. All of a sudden, I'm feeling sleepy."

Paul smiled. "In that case, I'd better leave you in peace."

"Don't you dare! You're staying here, at least until I fall over. But you could do one thing for me. Reach over and switch off the lamp?"

He reached across and flicked the switch filling the room with darkness. As he settled back into the pillows, Paul felt Stephanie's head nestle into his chest and she flung her arm around his waist. As they lay there in silence, he mentally kicked himself. What the hell was he doing? He was playing with fire and he knew it but none of that mattered as he relished the feel of her in his arms. Stephanie fit so perfectly, almost like she belonged there somehow. He just hoped she couldn't hear his heart racing in his chest. It was thumping madly having her so close. Yet despite his inner torment, Paul felt a sense of calm as he listened to her steady breathing. The truth was he didn't want to be anywhere else and he would give anything for this to be real; to able to hold Stephanie each and every night and fall asleep in her arms. So really, it was time to stop kidding himself. This wasn't some stupid crush. He was in love with Stephanie so much and nothing was ever going to change that. Not denial and certainly not time. All he had to do now was accept his feelings and learn to live with the fact that they would never be returned and Stephanie would never be his.