Page 61 of Reluctantly Married

Leaving was his only choice. He knew that now. He couldn’t stand to pretend to be married to her, pining after something he could never have, while she broke his heart every time she looked at him. Getting away from her was the only solution.

A woman brushed by him then stopped and turned. “You’re Adam Warner.” Her eyes grew wide. “I just loved your show. And your live wedding…it was so romantic.” Her gaze traveled over the terminal. “Are you and Megan leaving so soon? I thought you were honeymooning here.”

What was he supposed to say to that? He one-shoulder shrugged. “We decided to go somewhere else. More privacy.” He winked, and the woman blushed.

“Oh, that makes perfect sense.” She looked around again. “Tell Megan I hope you enjoy your honeymoon.”

His stomach soured. “Of course.” The woman bustled away and got lost in the crowd. He hoped that wouldn’t happen again. He wasn’t sure he could continue to keep this up.

They announced his flight was boarding, and he stood and dragged his carry on up to the desk. The man ahead of him must have been a heavy smoker, because the smell of tobacco and stale smoke hung thick in the air.

He had two weeks off for his honeymoon, and he didn’t plan on returning home. The ticket in his hand said LA. Adam’s plan was to meet with his agent and go over some of the opportunities that had come his way since the show had aired and become so popular. After finding another job, he would turn in his resignation at KLKX. He couldn’t keep doing the morning show with Megan. It would be too painful.

Even though the thought of moving on was appealing, he couldn’t get his heart into it. He’d miss working at the small town station. The wacky banter with Megan. The way she put him in his place. He shook his head. Getting over Megan was going to take a while. He handed his paper to the boarding agent and entered the jet way.

The thing that he didn’t understand was how Megan couldn’t have any feelings for him. He was sure she was attracted to him. How could she not be, when she responded to his kisses like she had?

Frustration overwhelmed him as he plopped down in his seat. It wasn’t worth rehashing again and again in his mind. She didn’t want him. She’d only been acting.

He had to let it go.

When Megan finally stepped off the airplane at the Omaha airport, it was late and she was exhausted. A few people turned their heads and whispered behind their hands, but no one approached her. She wondered what they thought, her being alone the day after her wedding aired.

She picked up her luggage and headed for the car rental counter. She’d been carted around so much lately, it was going to be different driving herself around. Her car was parked at her apartment. Seemed like a lifetime since she’d been behind her grandmother’s old Accord. Even though she could afford a new car now, something told her she wouldn’t be trading it in anytime soon.

By the time she arrived home, it was too late to go see Adam. She let herself in her apartment and dragged in her suitcases. She’d go see him first thing in the morning.

Sleep evaded her, and she ended up tossing and turning all night. Why hadn’t she just taken the time to process her feelings earlier? Why had she reacted the way she had when he told her he loved her? She rolled over again. She had to talk to him.

When sunlight finally came through her window, she was ready. A quick shower and some make up, and she was out the door.

It didn’t take long to drive to Adam’s house. The porch still sagged, and paint was still peeling off the sides of the house. No dog bounded up to meet her this time. The house stood still, no sign of life. Was he not back yet?

She climbed the steps and looked in the window. She couldn’t see much. She knocked on the door. No response. Where was Adam? She waited for another minute before pounding again. “Adam, open the door!”

“He’s not here.”

The small voice behind her startled her and she jumped, turning around. A young boy stood in the driveway, one strap of his coveralls sliding down his arm. “He’s gone.”

Megan put her hand to her chest. “You scared me. Where did you come from?”

The boy pointed. “I live over there.”

“Ah, I see. Where did Adam go?”

The boy shrugged. “My mom said he’s on a moneynoon and won’t be back for a while.”

The mispronunciation made her smile. “I see.”

“But don’t worry, moneynoon’s don’t hurt. I asked.” The little boy beamed up at her.

She wasn’t so sure that was true. “Thanks.”

Megan left Adam’s house, frustrated and broken. She tried his cell again, with no luck. She refused to leave him a message. There was no way she was going to tell him she loved him in a voice mail, let alone a text. She needed a different plan.

And then it hit her. She still had some shows with Adam scheduled in. After the wedding appearances. Adam couldn’t skip them. They were in the contract.

If she could get Leon to work something out, she could come clean in a way that Adam couldn’t ignore. She picked up her phone. The seconds ticked by as she waited for Leon to answer his line, her heart pounding. If he would go for this, he might get the biggest publicity stunt yet. He answered with a quick hello.

---