Chapter 4

…

Shirley walked into her office, quickly followed by Alan. She turned around to face him, leaning on the edge of her desk.

"Close the door." She ordered.

Alan turned and did as she asked and closed the door gently behind him before turning back to face her. He watched her silently for a few moments as she contemplated the scene she had just witnessed.

"Well…?" She asked.

"I know, I don't know what came over me…I can only apologise Shirley." He answered her softly.

"What possessed you to do that, it's so unlike you….you're not a man I associate with violence."

"I just…saw red. He was standing there talking to Laura with out a care in the world, no shame about what he'd done to you and I just lost it."

Shirley pulled herself up from her place on her desk and came to stand in front of him.

"What you did out there was unprofessional, you are a lawyer…employed by one of the biggest firms in Boston. You can't just go around punching the living daylights out of someone just because he angered you, he…."

"He hurt you Shirley, he physically hurt you and caused you pain and I don't feel guilty about hitting him."

"What about the others?"

"Others?"

"Paul, Denny, Denise, Brad….what do you think went through their minds when they witnessed that. This is a highly respectable firm Alan, you can't go around hitting people…"

"I know, I know. I can't apologise enough Shirley. I just…."

He went very quiet which began to worry Shirley because it was so unlike him.

"Alan, are you alright?"

"What, sorry….I'm fine."

"I am grateful for defending me, I am but maybe next time… just try to keep it outside the building." She smiled.

He stood watching her as she smiled at him and couldn't remember her looking as beautiful as she did in this moment.

"Alan, you're beginning to wor…"

Shirley was cut off when Alan's lips found her own, the moment he did it he began to wonder if he'd just made a huge mistake but the small moan that escaped her lips when he deepened the kiss left him in no doubt that he'd made the right decision.

…

Shirley stepped back when she felt Alan move away from her lips and she slowly opened her eyes to see him smiling back at her.

"Don't hate me for that." He said.

"I….I'm not sure what to say, that was a little unexpected."

"I've over stepped my boundaries, haven't I."

"I am your Boss, I'm a Senior Partner….well I'm the Senior Partner."

"And are Senior Partners not allowed relationships in the work place?"

"Relationships, Alan you are the last person I'd have thought did relationships."

"I was married once."

"A very long time ago."

"Perhaps but it doesn't change that fact, look Shirley…I know I have a reputation for sleeping my way around this firm but you, you're different and after everything Ivan's done to you…all I want is to protect you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Perhaps, but would it be so terrible to have another person who had your back, someone who's started to care a great deal about you."

"This isn't a game is it? Denny's had me so you want me too."

"I don't think of you like that, I can't stop thinking about you. The truth is, you've been on my mind since the day I met you, since the day you came to inspect my fixtures." He grinned.

"I do like you Alan, you're a very charming man."

"Please don't say but…"

"However, there is one small issue you haven't considered."

"Like what?"

"Denny."

"Ahhh."

"We all know how he feels about me, he's always had this notion that one day we'd get back together. Now, I know it will never happen but he is a friend and I wouldn't want to hurt him, he's your best friend."

"If I talk to him, explain my feelings about you to him and if he were to accept the fact, would you be willing to see where this might go."

"Alan, I'm not looking for a fling, a casual encounter…I'm too old for games."

He stepped closer to her and she leaned in as she allowed him to bring his arms around her waist.

"Shirley, a fling is the furthest thing from my mind…really. I really like you."

"Talk to Denny, then we'll see."

"Alright, I'll talk to him. Wish me luck." He smiled.

"You may just need it…go."

…

Alan appeared in Denny's office to fine him smoking one of his favourite cigars.

"Denny."

"Get out you lying son of a bitch." He grumbled in Alan's direction.

"Alright so you're mad at me."

"Mad, I ought to kill ya'. How many times did I ask you if there was something wrong with Shirley and you denied it every time."

"Denny, she's alright."

"Why did you punch Ivan."

"Just a disagreement that was…."

"STOP….STOP IT MAN."

Alan took a seat in the chair across from Denny and watch as the older man stubbed his cigar in the ashtray.

"You don't punch Ivan for no reason, he's done something. What did he do to Shirley."

"Denny, she asked me not too…"

"What did he do, I'm not stupid…he's done something, that much is obvious. She was so quiet yesterday and you suddenly became very protective, which isn't like you so what is it. You know what she means to me Alan, I demand to know."

"Alright, alright I'll tell you but please…don't let on that you know. She didn't want everyone knowing her business."

"Just tell me Alan."

"Ivan arrived at her home the other night drunk out of his mind, Shirley said he didn't know what he was doing."

"What did he do?"

"She has a very painful bruise on her arm and some light bruising around her neck, a Doctor friend of mine gave her some painkillers and cream to help her."

"He hit her?"

"Yes and according to Shirley, it's not the first time he's done it. She says it wasn't a regular occurrence or anything, just once in a blue moon but the bruises were pretty bad."

"Bastard, I ought to kill the son of a bitch."

"Denny no, that's the last thing Shirley wants, she just wants to forget and move on."

"But you couldn't, you hit him."

"I saw red, I've apologised to Shirley and she accepted my apology."

"She's one hell of a woman."

"Yes she is, which brings me to the other reason I wanted to talk."

"You sound serious."

"Before I tell you this, I need you to know that you are my best friend and I love you and I know you feel the same way about me and I would hope you'd want me to be happy?"

"Well of course I would, what are you getting at Alan."

"It's about Shirley."

"What about her?"

"I'm in love with her."

…...

To Be Continued…