Chickening Out

Hayley

It was only a matter of time before the deadline for the upcoming I was supposed to attend with my prospective client would elapse. I didn't even think of bringing the topic up with Amber after her melt-down. She would have been pissed off even more if I had brought it up.

What was I going to do now? I might as well hire unknown man to pretend to be my husband.

''No that sounds stupid. Gosh, what am I going to do now?'' I moaned in distress dropping my head on my desk.

Raising my head, I thought long and hard tapping my fingers on the desk.

Should I call Kyle? No, Jesus! What was I thinking? Amber would be so disappointed. But that would be if I told her. What she doesn't know won't kill her.

''Geez, Hayley pull yourself together and think of a solution.'' I muttered.

Left with no choice I finally mustered the courage to do one of the most craziest feats I have ever attempted in my life. I know that I was exaggerating this whole scenario because I was only going to call the father of my kids.

''No. What was I doing?'' I put my phone back down. Should I call him directly?

''No, that seems too informal.'' I complained to myself.

Oh, something just came to me.

''Call Mary. Why didn't I think of that?'' I resisted the urge to slap my forehead for my slow thinking.

''Hello Mary.''

''Hi Mrs... I mean Miss, umm Madam. What can I help you with?'' I bit back a smile at her sputtering. I knew that she was still struggling with how to address me as I was no longer with Kyle anymore.

''It's really nothing. Can you help me place a call to my husband... I mean my ex. You know what? Can you just place a call to Mr Banes office?''

''Yes, sure thing ma'am. I'll let you know when I'm done.'' She replied calmly irrespective of the awkward situation that just happened.

''Okay thank you.'' I breathed in finally relieved that was out of the way for now.

I took a swift break from working and was drifting through social media when my phone rang.

The drink I had in hand almost spilled when I saw who was calling.

It was Kyle. Oh my gosh. this conversation was happening pretty soon and I wasn't even prepared for it. Mary had told me that Kyle wasn't available at his office when she had called, but she had dropped a message.

''Hey Kyle.'' I managed to speak freaking out inside my head.

''Hi Hayley. I got a message that you called, or rather Mary called on your behalf?'' His tone was pointed.

''Oh yeah I did.'' I dropped my glass of orange juice on my desk and stood up walking to the window that had a great overview.

''Is something wrong because you didn't call my personal line?'' His voice was filled with concern.

''Yes. I mean no. Everything is fine. I called for a totally different reason.'' I waved it off.

''Okay, you got me a little worried there.''

''I'm so sorry.'' I let out a little chuckle hoping that it will help with the tense conversation.

This was so awkward talking with him. But I had to pull through if I wanted to secure those clients.

''It's fine. If you don't mind me asking, why did call you?'' Yeah right.

How was I going to bring this up?

''Hayley?'' His voice was still calm prompting at me to speak.

''So I wanted to confirm with you about Wynter and Autumn new school. The headmistress has already arranged for a meeting with us. I just called to see if you would be able to make it. Will you?''

Shit! Stupid. Stupid, I ranted in my head angry with myself for coming up with a silly excuse.

''Yeah, I will be able to make it. I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world.'' He replied.

''Okay, that's good. Wynter and Autumn are really excited for it.'' I think they kind of understood that they were going to be meeting and socializing with new people very soon.

And I was still feeling nostalgic about this whole process.

''I don't doubt that.'' He chuckled.

I don't know why I did this next but I guess that I was curious.

''Um, you remember the guy that came with you to the bar when you wanted to take me home?''

''Yeah? You mean Hunter?'' He asked.

''Yes, him.'' I nodded even though he couldn't see it.

''Okay. What about him?'' How far off I have veered off topic.

''How well do you know him?'' I asked.

''Not that really well. He's a business apprentice and we go to the same gym and ...'' There was no point in asking if he has heard from hunter recently. They weren't that close or so it seemed.

''It's alright.''

''Why did you ask?''

''Ah, because I saw him on the cover of one magazine and was too lazy to check him out.'' I went with a false explanation.

''Check him out?'' Kyle's voice was strained. My eyes widened as I realized how that might have come out.

Oh my gosh. I didn't mean it like that. I meant I was too lazy to search him on G****e. And not like that.'' How could him think that I wanted to hit on his not friend? Besides he was in a situation ship with Amber and his wife. And even though he wasn't, I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole because I was barely out of my own situation.

''Okay, it's fine. Is there any other thing you wanted to discuss with me?'' This should be my chance to tell him.

''Ma'am, you have a visitor.'' Mary's voice came from behind me. Barely a save, I guess I wasn't meant to ask him, Maybe it was the universe giving a sign.

I held up a finger telling her to give me a few minutes.

''Okay I guess it's my cue to let you go.'' He said with a wistful tone.

''Yeah.''

''We should do this more often.'' He cut the call leaving me shocked.

What did he mean by that?