Mr. Americano by Addison Rose

Author:Addison Rose
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 979-8-88926-404-0
Publisher: Addison Holcomb
Published: 2023-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“I haven’t exactly been completely honest with you…”

Margaret’s heart, beating like a drum, and her mind, racing like a horse in the Kentucky Derby, were not prepared for those words to spill out of Hayes’s mouth.

A million questions swirl in her brain. Margaret can’t help but think they were right.

She suppresses the thought of her friends, anxious to know the truth and frustrated for being lied to for months. “Just spit it out. What the hell is going on?”

“I do-don’t,” he stutters and fidgets before continuing, “actually live he—”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Margaret interrupts, her jaw practically on the floor.

With a head tilt, he begins again, seemingly annoyed by her lack of patience. “Well, the project I am on currently was supposed to be temporary. I was supposed to be long gone by now. But it’s proven to be a lot more complicated, so I’m still here. Obviously.”

She nods, struggling to understand what he is actually saying.

“These days, I’m spending a lot of time here, but technically Chicago is home…”

Margaret sinks into the couch, her fingers pressing into her temples, hoping the pressure will help her comprehend. After a few beats, with panic rising in her chest, she says, “Don’t tell me there’s someone else…”

“Of course not, Margaret. Why would you even think that?” he asks, his face contorted with emotion.

“Well,” she says, casually looking around the room and letting the unusualness of the circumstances speak for themself. “I mean, I don’t know what else you haven’t been telling me or what other details you chose to leave out.”

Shifting his position on the couch again, Hayes says, “Look.” His tone is firm and intense while his hands emphasize each word. “It’s only you. I promise. The truth is that I travel for work and even though I’m here a lot, Chicago is home. That’s it.”

“So that’s why you’re ‘busy’ all the time…” she says, using air quotes and shaking her head in disbelief.

“Yes,” Hayes confirms.

The conviction in his voice makes her want to believe him, but the doubt still lingers.

Running her hands through her hair and gesturing wildly, she asks, “Why couldn’t you just say so from the beginning? I don’t understand!”

She watches him stare holes through the carpet and fiddle with his watch. “I don’t know. I guess because I didn’t know how long I would be here or how long this project would last…” The elongated pause puts a lump in her throat.

Is he referring to me as a project?

Thankfully, he continues before she can vocalize her annoyance and confusion. “But I didn’t want that to keep you from giving me a shot.”

Feeling like a balloon that has lost its helium, Margaret deflates. She stands and paces the length of the kitchen.

When she finally stops moving, she props herself up against the island and picks at her nails. “I can’t believe this.” She lets out a fake laugh, further emphasizing her disdain.

Her heart is filled with dread, but her mind longs for answers. Terrified of what she might hear, she summons the courage to ask for clarification anyway.

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