“Maddy, it’s me. Open up,” Katy calls. My eyes feel like sandpaper. I open the door and her mouth gapes, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Yes, I know,” I grumble, “I look like shit. I can’t believe I passed out for five hours.”
Katy laughs, but there’s no humor in it. She knows I’m upset. “You look fine.”
I glare back at her. “Liar.”
She holds up her hands. “Okay, you look like hell. It’s understandable.”
I flop back down on the couch. “Are Noah and Camryn downstairs?”
Katy shakes her head. “Not anymore. We got everything ready for tomorrow. We didn’t want to bother you.”
Groaning, I run a hand over my face. “Katy, I’m so sorry. You know I would’ve helped you. I just wish I wasn’t a complete mess right now.”
She drapes an arm over my shoulder. “It’s okay. You got a really crazy surprise today. Who would’ve thought that Adam was August Cahill? Talk about a truth bomb.”
I scoff. “In front of thousands of people too. I feel like such an idiot. I went on and on about how nervous I was about August, and Adam didn’t say a damn word about it. He let me keep stressing.”
Katy frowns and half-heartedly shrugs. “Maybe he had a reason for not telling you?”
“No,” I snap. “He knows I love him. People who love each other don’t keep those kinds of secrets from one another. It’s as if I don’t even know him.”
“So you love him, huh? I never thought I’d see the day.”
Bringing my knees up, I wrap my arms around them and lower my head. “Me too. And just when I let my guard down, I get hurt. Just my luck.”
“Maddy!” My heart stops and I freeze. “Maddy!”
I look over at Katy and she’s just as shocked as I am. “Did you hear that?”
She nods quickly and rushes over to the window, discreetly peeking out the side of the curtain. “Holy shit, it’s him. He’s on the sidewalk.”
I grab her shirt and pull her back. “Don’t let him see you.” We both drop to the floor, our backs to the wall. My heart is pounding so hard, I can feel it throbbing in my throat. “What do I do?”
Katy looks over at me. “What do you want to do?”
“Maddy, please!” Adam yells, his voice distraught. “I need to talk to you.”
It breaks my heart to hear him, but I can’t give in. I’m not ready.
“Maddy! I love you! Please, let me talk to you.”
Grabbing my chest, I close my eyes and cry. “I never should’ve fallen in love with him … again. He’ll leave just like he did all those years ago.”
“He doesn’t sound like a man who wants to leave,” Katy says softly.
“Should I go out there?”
She shrugs. “It’s up to you. If you love the guy, you might want to hear him out. I’d hate for you to let things end because of a misunderstanding.”
Taking a deep breath, I stand and wipe my face off with the hem of my shirt. “Is he still out there?” When she peeks out, her face falls. She looks around, but I already know the answer. He’s gone. “Guess he gave up,” I say. “Figures.”
Katy joins me back on the couch and takes my hands. “Take a shower and get some rest. He’ll show up at our booth tomorrow. I have no doubt.”
A part of me wants him to, but there’s a nagging feeling in my stomach that warns me not to get my hopes up. Guess we’ll find out.
FOUR DAYS LATER
The Taste of Chicago is over, and Adam never showed back up. Four days have passed and nothing. I knew he was too good to be true. He left before, and I knew he’d do it again. The only thing positive in my life is the tavern. Instead of being booked just one night in advance, there are people calling for tables two weeks out. The Taste of Chicago really put us on the map. People from everywhere, even out of state are calling just to get in to try our food.
“I’m so glad you added the pork chops to the main menu,” Noah says as he plates up his millionth one for the night.
Laughing, I mix up another batch of the balsamic glaze for the pork chops. “Me too. Everyone and I mean everyone is ordering them tonight. I’m going to have to put in a double order next time, so we don’t run out.”
Camryn places the finishing touches on her orange creamsicle cake. “You might have to hire more staff if this keeps up.”
Noah agrees with a nod. “True. I don’t think we’ll be able to handle this every day of the week.”
They have a point. Not unless we want to run ourselves ragged. “Okay,” I give in. “I’ll hire more people.”
Noah smiles. “You shouldn’t have any trouble. People will be dying to work here. Especially chefs.”