Page 144 of Take My Name

That doesn’t just happen with anyone. Very rarely.

Our connection only works because of our intense history and how easy it was to remember how in love with him I am.

But he was right. The wait was worth it.

I step out of the tub and wrap a towel around my body and one in my hair. It was soothing to soak my sore muscles in the hot water and relax for a while before all the chaos begins.

Hayes is supposed to arrive at some point today. He emailed me his flight plans, but I told him it’d be a betteridea if he got a rideshare from the airport to my parents’ house instead of me picking him up. I don’t want the first time we get the chance to talk in person to be while I’m driving.

I will always love him for healing something inside me he didn’t break, for supporting me in my career, and for loving me the way he did during a time I needed it. But not every person you fall in love with is meant to last forever. Sometimes it’s a temporary destination on your journey to something new.

Before I can get dressed, there’s a loud knock at the front door. Assuming it’s someone for Warren, I ignore it. Or try to at least.

“Maisie!” More pounding. “I know you’re in there!”

Oh God.

It’s my mother.

Tightening my hold on the towel, I rush toward the living room and then whip open the door.

“Mom, hi.”

I saw her two days ago at the baby shower, but now she looks less than thrilled to see me.

“Get dressed, we need to go.”

“Go where?” I ask, moving back to let her inside.

“Home.” She turns toward me once I close the door. “The Save the Dates have gone out.”

My eyes widen. “What? They weren’t scheduled to go out for two more months! How’d this happen?”

The look on her face isn’t one I see very often, sad almost.Sympathy.

“Hayes called Nicola and told her y’all wanted ’em to go out early. Instead of confirming with me, she went ahead and did it.”

“Oh my God!” I shout, trying to wrap my head around what the fuck is happening.

Why the hell would he do that?

“Don’t worry, she’s fired.”

“Great, but now what?” I walk down the hallway to find some clothes so I’m ready to face Hayes the moment he arrives.

“Now we do damage control…” She follows me into the bedroom where I’m already digging into my bag. “Sign the divorce papers.”

“Wait.” I freeze before finding her gaze on me. “What’re you talkin’ about? I already told you I’m not signin’ ’em and am movin’ back here.”

“Well, plans change. Now everyone thinks you’re gettin’ married in four months, so unless you want a media crisis on our hands, you’re gonna have to make up.”

I blink, unbelieving of the words coming out of her mouth. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, don’t act like this little affair ain’t pre-weddin’ jitters.” Her gaze shifts to the bed that’s still a messy heap of twisted sheets. “What you and Hayes have is worth fightin’ for and it’s clear he’s not ready to let you go.”

This coming from the same woman who five days ago was horrified to hear he’d done a background check on me, but as soon as there’s a threat to her reputation, she does another one-eighty.

“I’d rather lick a hot skillet than marry a man just so you can avoid humiliation.”