Page 39 of The American

And then she spoke, and she told all. From the beginning to the end. The trickery, the co-CEO idea, her experience with Thad, all of it. For once, the reporters were without questions. Most eyed her with sympathy. Then a whole new batch joined them, shouting and calling out their questions. And suddenly Sage was tired, and she wanted to go home.

But she was surrounded. “Excuse me, could you make way?”

They just pushed in tighter.

And she started to panic.

“You heard Sage, make way.” Thad stood at her side, and they went crazy, clamoring for shots, shouting out accusations. Their bodyguards and a team of security formed a line, an opening, and Thad and Sage ran. They booked it past the remote controlled boats, dodging children.

“We’re gonna do this someday,” Thad called over his shoulder.

How could he even think she would want to be with him? As soon as she escaped the park, she was on the next plane home.

They ran faster, ducking into a restaurant skipping around tables and out the back door. “I have a car.”

She rolled her eyes. “Brilliant, where is it?”

“Will you get in it with me so we can talk?” He watched her as he ran.

Out of breath, her side aching, she nodded. “Yes! Let’s get out of here.”

He made a call and then took them over to the west side. “Almost there.”

They made their way past the famous statues. She loved that walk, all the trees, the shade. At last she saw a black sedan, waiting on the street to the west of the park. Her breaths were coming in great rasping gulps. She needed water.

Thad opened the door and she fell in. The driver handed her a water bottle. Then Thad got in the other side. The press rushed closer, but the driver pulled away.

The silence in the car was thick and uncomfortable. Sage wiped her face, gulped her water, and turned the AC vents to face her.

Thad handed her a towel, his eyes as sincere as ever, his face, kind. How could he be such an actor? Had she lost her ability to read people?

“I heard what you said, to the press, and I’m sorry.”

“That’s interesting.” She didn’t want to talk about this after all. Saying sorry was not going to cut it.

“But I’m not sorry for the reasons you think.”

She eyed him and waited.

“I’m sorry.” He leaned forward. “That you had to feel any pain, had to doubt me for even a second of our lives that I still hope to spend together.”

He was delusional.

“I wish I could erase the last few hours from our memories.”

“Thad, how can you think there is any way I would consider spending my life with you?” She waved her hand. “We moved forward way too fast, before, well, before I knew you.” Her eyes narrowed and even though her lip wanted to shake, she refused to show sadness.

But he saw. He reached forward and ran a thumb along her mouth which made Sage almost collapse in his arms, sobbing out her sorrow, but she resisted with the strength of the thought that he had caused all her hurt. He was the reason for her pain.

His deep voice warmed her even still. “Sage. I’m going to prove that what you just told the press about me is not true.”

Prove?Could she be wrong about all of this? Did she mishear? Or jump to conclusions?

“Did you not tell Zachary that we are engaged? Give him your wedding plan before I even knew it?”

“I did.” He held up a hand before she could interrupt so she waited, impatiently.

“He was going to fire you.”

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