American Boyfriend

wildly with her hands, even though Brielle couldn't see her. She balanced the

ourself," Brielle huffed. "I was expecting a 'tha

now that. But you still went ahead and told him everything!"

u have-if not the only one," Brielle replied. Alessia felt a familiar twing

en't friends. He's hated me forever. I can't take him to

make her look like a fool in front

ndals and curled into

t blow it all up? What if he's exactly what you need, and

ll

is, I'm going to help you however I can-and that help is Noah."

asked, her voice quieter now. She could pract

Maybe he's not who you th

ly, though there wasn't

," Brielle said, and Alessia caught the fa

Alessia muttered, s

Brielle called, causing

voice softened, and the statement c

a blinking in surprise. Noah didn't hate her? She ha

he kitchen to start dinner. Her apartment was

when she'd first arrived in America. She

proposed. It was still there when they planned the wedding. Bu

s shut, recalling that day-the worst of her life. The

moment for her to realize it was her phone. W

the screen made her

eeted, already dread

er mother's voice boom

ssia replied, steppin

asked, even though she had a pretty

me to ask if your boyfriend eats meat. Canno

e doesn't eat meat?" she a

americani sono imprevedibi

ssia muttered, hearing

ther said, before clearing

tion felt like a blade to Alessia's heart. Her mother only

oftly. "More than happy," she

her mother asked, the disappointment evident. Al

ied, her voice steady. There was

ut him, darling." Her mother's rich Ital

h. That there was no man. That she couldn't describe him because he didn't exist.

cked, and Alessia realized she was c

all, 6'3, handsome, Mama," she chuckled softly, closing her

g a real laugh from Alessia. "Ay, Mam

re him now-the man she

lightening the tensi

You've always liked guys

"Yes, Mama. They

r asked, and Alessia nod

whispered. Alessia nodded, her throat

, her voice distant. S

" her mother said be

e man she'd described wasn't at all im

'd describe