Chapter 15: Butterflies

"Laura, what are you doing here?" Paul repeated going up a couple steps.

"I'm here to get you." She sighed getting up.

Paul unlocked his front door. "Come on in, it's cold out here." He opened the door and closed It behind Laura as she walked in.

She looked around in awe. "Wow, nice place. A little childish, but I love it." She laughed.

Paul chucked his keys onto the table. "Thanks." He turned around.

Laura found herself scanning his body with her eyes, his tight brown long sleeved shirt, with buttons open at the top, and blue shorts that were pretty lose, but definitely formed his ass well. She kept her thoughts to herself and ended up in a daze.

Paul stared right back at her, waiting for her to catch on. She finally did. "Oh, soo."

"Have a seat." Paul smiled and sat down on the couch.

Laura sat beside him.

He placed his hand on her knee and wiggled it a little. "So, what exactly are you here to get me for?" Paul looked at her. He was already over the whole situation, Laura was pretty much amazed, she always held grudges and every guy she knew was the same, not to mention stubborn.

"First…" She glanced down at his hand on her knee, finding herself wishing It was further up her leg. "I'm sorry for everything, not believing you and all." She sighed. "Truth is, I've never known a guy as honest and understanding as you." She found herself smiling as Paul took his hand off her knee.

"And I'm here to bring you back to my place, because, well I'm supposed, no, I want to look after you."

Paul smiled and pushed his hair behind his ears giving a goofy grin. "Well, don't I feel special now." He laughed a little as she laughed as well.

She stared into his eyes and felt something. She didn't know if she felt sick or what…a moment later, she realized, it was butterflies. She never really looked him in the eyes til now and this was just a feeling she couldn't describe.

"You're so cute." She blurted but acted as if though she mean to say it.

Paul laughed. "Am I really? Or am I hot?" He laughed again as Laura put her finger on Paul and made a sizzling sound.

"Ooh, the man is hot." She chuckled and moved her finger away quickly.



They both found themselves laughing at the same time and they made eye contact, making it silent and awkward. She shook her head. "So yes, will you come home with me?" She raised her eyebrow and felt her cheeks turn red realizing how that sounded. "I mean, to New York so I can.."

Paul stopped her. "I know what you mean." He laughed. "And yes, I will, if you'll stay the night here, because it's too late and I'm tired as hell."

Laura nodded looking around. "If you get off the couch, I can get some sleep." She laughed.

"Why sleep on the couch? I've got a king sized bed upstairs." He got up looking down at her still sitting there.

"Alright. I just need to change, I brought clothes since I figured I'd be staying in Texas." Her face flushed with pink again as she remembered the only clothes she brought were clean bras and underwear and a couple short nightgowns.

She got up looking around. "Wheres the bathroom?"

"Upstairs, on the righthand side." Paul responded.

Laura nodded and went up the stairs with her bag. She went into the bathroom, turning on the light and opened her bag. "Why didn't I bring some more stuff." She groaned and took out a hot pink nightgown, with spaghetti straps. The gown reached just above her knees. She pulled her sneakers off, her back facing the door – which she forgot to close. She pulled her shirt off over her head just as Paul started to walk past the bathroom. He stopped for a second watching her and figured he'd better step away before she noticed.

He went to turn, not really paying attention, his eyes still on her and tripped, falling down the steps. Laura jumped at the noise, she ran down the steps in her bra and jeans. "Paul…" She asked nervously as he turned around laying on his back. "I'm fine…" He sat up and grumbled a little holding his ankle.

"Paul. The crutches." She shook her head and grabbed them, leaning down to help him up. He raised his eyebrow looking at her cleavage as she helped pull him up.

"I'm fine, I promise." Paul reassured her as he noticed her face still with a worried expression.

She sighed and looked down noticing she was still in her bra. Laura ran up the steps and back into the bathroom shutting the door. She changed into her pink nightgown and walked out looking around. She found Pauls bedroom and went inside.

He wasn't in there yet. She sat on the edge of the bed nervously. She didn't want to lay down yet, her night gown was short and she just really felt uncomfortable. 'I don't want to make it obvious that I have feelings for him.' She thought to herself. 'Wait, I have feelings for him?' She asked herself in her thoughts…