Paul snapped out of his stare long enough to invite them inside. "I'd offer you a soda but we haven't been grocery shopping," he said as the girls sat on the sofa. They talked for about two hours until they decided that a large pepperoni pizza and some Coke sounded really good.
"Ya know, I bet that BMW sure is fun to drive," Nisa said suggestively. Ashley giggled. She handed Billy a twenty to pay for the food, and threw the keys to Nisa. She squealed in delight and grabbed Billy by the collar of his torn up work shirt, and dragged him out the door. They waited for the door to shut, and Paul smiled at Ashley.
"Do I have something on my face?" she asked, grinning.
"A beautiful smile," he replied, letting his words take control without thinking. She laughed.
"You're a really nice guy, you and your brother," she replied.
He blushed. "I try," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Damn, it's cold. Are you cold? I have some blankets upstairs," he said, trying to comfort her.
"Nah, thanks, I'm okay. What would your parents think, walking on us cuddling under a blanket on your sofa?" she asked, laughing.
"I don't think they'd give a flying fuck what I do," he replied. Ashley frowned.
"Why is that?" she asked.
"My dad ditched us when we were little. Then mom got addicted to a whole bunch of bad shit and she left. So we lived with my grandma up until last year when she passed away, so I worked up enough cash to get us this place," he said sternly, no emotion on his face.
Ashley scooted to the end of the sofa and rubbed his back. "Oh Paul, I'm sorry," she said. He jumped when she touched him, and they both laughed the sad moment off. "So you live here by yourselves?" she asked him, her hand unconsciously rubbing his back now. He didn't dare make her stop, either.
"Yeah. As you can tell, the place needs a woman's touch," he said, laughing.
She smiled. "I think it's great." He blushed…again.
"Enough about me though. What's up with your folks?" he asked.
She sighed. "Long story," she replied.
"I have awhile." She raised her eyebrows and began to tell him about her past.
"Well, I lived in an adoption agency until I was thirteen. Then I finally got adopted, and lived in Jersey until just a year ago. My foster parents got killed in a car accident, and I got put up for auction again. That place was so perfect. Just a nice little suburban neighborhood. I was just getting settled. Then…that happened. So I've been living with these people for about a year, and we used to live in Manhatten, but you already know that, then my dad got transferred here to Waldorf, and here I am," she chattered away, and Paul was in shock. He thought he had it bad.
"Wow…" he said. "That's the saddest thing I've ever heard."
She laughed. "I'm okay," she said.
"So these people are…well…pretty well off?" he asked the question he already had the answer to.
"Lawyers. Hard core, big time rich. I hit the fucking jack pot," she exclaimed, laughing. Things got solemn suddenly.
"Looks like we're on the same page, family wise anyway," Paul said.
"Yeah," she replied. Suddenly, he turned to face her, and they kissed each other at the exact same moment. They pushed back their laughter long enough to make it sweet, but Paul's weight was too much on Ashley, and she fell back onto the couch cushions. Paul quickly got off of her, and they burst into laughter. He helped her up and brushed away a piece of hair that had fallen into her face, just as Nisa and Billy came in the door.
"What are you crazy kids up to?" Nisa asked, noticing that they were laughing.
"Just talking," Ashley said, quickly trying to cover up the kiss. They opened the pizza box and dug in. Ashley and Nisa had one piece each. Paul and Billy devoured it, practically inhaling the pieces. Down to the last crumb, which Billy was quick to find and pop into his mouth.
"I gotta go guys, mom wants me home before 10," Nisa exclaimed, standing up and putting on her jacket.
"Aw, so soon? We were gonna play cards," Paul replied.
"Sorry Charlie, it's the rule," she replied. Ashley sighed and put on her jacket as well, and Paul walked them to the door.
"I had fun," she said, grinning. He returned the grin.
"So I'll catch ya later, yeah?" he asked. She nodded, and walked out. Paul sighed as he watched her go. Nisa smiled at him.
"What happened in there?" she asked. Paul pretended to be shocked. "
Nothing, alright, Miss Nosy, good night," he said, closing the door.
"Okay, but you're acting strange!" she yelled so he would hear her. Strange was right. A girl like that could never happen to a guy like Paul.