Richfield family.
“How long do you think the shutdown will last?” I asked carefully.
“Months likely,” he muttered. “We’re farther along in our build so they’re going to have to rip apart portions of the building to conduct their investigation. This shutdown isn’t temporary like the one we’ve had the past week.” He let out an exasperated sigh.
“I understand.” I nodded, though he couldn’t see it—the reality of it all setting in.
“I’ll be in touch when I know more.” He hung up abruptly after that, leaving me to my shock and disappointment.
I stared at the table in front of me, not really seeing anything. I was a kaleidoscope of different emotions. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt of course, but the Tribute site being shutdown affected my future plans. Even if there were no problems with the construction of the building, it wouldn’t be reopened in time for me to make use of the offer the Broker had given me. I’d have to continue living deal-to-deal, always looking for the next pay check.
The sense of security I’d hoped to find was suddenly out of reach. Disappointment and despair lay heavy on my chest. I wouldn’t be achieving all the hopes and dreams I’d had for myself—again. It was a tough blow. One I’d been dealt before when my mother had died and I’d given up my dream of being an architect.
My fate was sealed now, but I couldn’t help worrying about what all this meant for Max, and how he’d feel about it. Did this mean he’d be leaving town immediately?
In a trance-like state I got up from the chair and made my way over to the counter, needing more coffee to help me sort this all through in my mind. As I waited for the Keurig to finish, the silver lining of my situation slowly came into view, like the sun rising over the horizon.
I wasn’t going to get my bonus—that was a given now. Which meant that this thing with Max had the potential to be whatever I wanted it to be. I could tell him what I was feeling. How this had turned into more for me—I could admit to him that I loved him.
With the builds on hold, Max would probably have to go back to New York early. This may be my last chance to tell him how I really feel and let the chips fall where they may. Was I really strong enough to do that? Worry that he’d reject me had me scared to admit my feelings to him.
I thought of Kurt on my front porch the other day, the sadness in his eyes when he talked about my sister, wishing he’d gotten up the nerve to share how he felt about her before she left for school. I didn’t want to be him months from now—desperate and wishing I’d done things differently, despite the fear inside that Max didn’t feel the same.
I prepared my coffee and went to sit on the front porch, sighing as I sat back into the rocker. Was I ready for this? As I thought back to all the time Max and I had spent together, I was sure he felt something for me, too. It was entirely possible he didn’t love me, but I didn’t think for a second that he didn’t feel anything . Especially not after sharing the heartbreaking details of his past, something he claimed he’d never shared with anyone before me.
He’d trusted me with that information and that was huge, and was a testament to the fact that he cared for me. It had to be. I felt special and privileged that he’d opened up to me in that way and allowed me to see a side of him that no one else ever had. He’d hired a bodyguard to watch over me for goodness sakes. He had to feel something.
I had no idea how we could ever make it work. We lived entirely different lives in completely different states.
I sat for a long time contemplating. Did I have it in me to risk humiliation and rejection and confess my feelings to Max? Or should I let him walk out of my life, never knowing what would’ve happened if I’d told him the truth?
Max
I sat in the doctor’s office at the hospital, waiting. Must be a universal thing—doctors were
“How long do you think the shutdown will last?” I asked carefully.
“Months likely,” he muttered. “We’re farther along in our build so they’re going to have to rip apart portions of the building to conduct their investigation. This shutdown isn’t temporary like the one we’ve had the past week.” He let out an exasperated sigh.
“I understand.” I nodded, though he couldn’t see it—the reality of it all setting in.
“I’ll be in touch when I know more.” He hung up abruptly after that, leaving me to my shock and disappointment.
I stared at the table in front of me, not really seeing anything. I was a kaleidoscope of different emotions. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt of course, but the Tribute site being shutdown affected my future plans. Even if there were no problems with the construction of the building, it wouldn’t be reopened in time for me to make use of the offer the Broker had given me. I’d have to continue living deal-to-deal, always looking for the next pay check.
The sense of security I’d hoped to find was suddenly out of reach. Disappointment and despair lay heavy on my chest. I wouldn’t be achieving all the hopes and dreams I’d had for myself—again. It was a tough blow. One I’d been dealt before when my mother had died and I’d given up my dream of being an architect.
My fate was sealed now, but I couldn’t help worrying about what all this meant for Max, and how he’d feel about it. Did this mean he’d be leaving town immediately?
In a trance-like state I got up from the chair and made my way over to the counter, needing more coffee to help me sort this all through in my mind. As I waited for the Keurig to finish, the silver lining of my situation slowly came into view, like the sun rising over the horizon.
I wasn’t going to get my bonus—that was a given now. Which meant that this thing with Max had the potential to be whatever I wanted it to be. I could tell him what I was feeling. How this had turned into more for me—I could admit to him that I loved him.
With the builds on hold, Max would probably have to go back to New York early. This may be my last chance to tell him how I really feel and let the chips fall where they may. Was I really strong enough to do that? Worry that he’d reject me had me scared to admit my feelings to him.
I thought of Kurt on my front porch the other day, the sadness in his eyes when he talked about my sister, wishing he’d gotten up the nerve to share how he felt about her before she left for school. I didn’t want to be him months from now—desperate and wishing I’d done things differently, despite the fear inside that Max didn’t feel the same.
I prepared my coffee and went to sit on the front porch, sighing as I sat back into the rocker. Was I ready for this? As I thought back to all the time Max and I had spent together, I was sure he felt something for me, too. It was entirely possible he didn’t love me, but I didn’t think for a second that he didn’t feel anything . Especially not after sharing the heartbreaking details of his past, something he claimed he’d never shared with anyone before me.
He’d trusted me with that information and that was huge, and was a testament to the fact that he cared for me. It had to be. I felt special and privileged that he’d opened up to me in that way and allowed me to see a side of him that no one else ever had. He’d hired a bodyguard to watch over me for goodness sakes. He had to feel something.
I had no idea how we could ever make it work. We lived entirely different lives in completely different states.
I sat for a long time contemplating. Did I have it in me to risk humiliation and rejection and confess my feelings to Max? Or should I let him walk out of my life, never knowing what would’ve happened if I’d told him the truth?
Max
I sat in the doctor’s office at the hospital, waiting. Must be a universal thing—doctors were
Similar Books
