Page 15 of Take My Name

“I’m only on my first beer, so I know I’m not drunk and heard ya wrong. Y’all didn’t get divorced?”

“She wanted to. I didn’t.”

I never announced it because I didn’t want to deal with the line of questioning that’ll prompt me to admit I’ve never gotten over her.

“She coulda filed without you. There’s laws or some shit that’d allow her to get one even if you don’t sign,” he responds.

“I know. And yet, she didn’t.”

Which is why I still think there’s a chance, although she’s convinced we’re over for good.

“So why is she back? Did you tell her about Angela’s parole hearing?”

“Not yet. She’s engaged and needs me to sign so she can go marry another man. Doesn’t want him to know she’s been married all this time, so she needs me to sign and get it finalized quietly,” I explain, not even bothering to hide the pain in my voice.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Warren. What’d you say?”

Blowing out a breath, I give him the quick version. “I said no and slammed the door on her.”

“I can only imagine how pissed off that made her.”

“Shoulda heard her screamin’ at me and poundin’ on the wood. Really fired her up when I blared my music and turned off all the lights in the house. Pretty sure she woke up my chickens.”

I leave out the part where she snuck in or how close we were before I walked away. He’s pitying me enough as it is.

“Jesus Christ.” He chuckles. “But it’s been like what, sevenyears? Why do you wanna make her stay married to you? She has her own life seven hundred miles away.”

Inhaling a shaky breath, I contemplate his question and how to answer without sounding like a sappy idiot.

“Because she’s the love of my life.” I go with pure honesty. “The only woman I’ve loved or will love. How can I just let her go?”

“Maybe it’s time for you to move on. She’s livin’ her life. You should be, too.”

“I wish I knew how.” I sigh because it’s easier said than done.

Wanting to take the attention off me, I ask, “How’re things goin’ with you?”

“Well…” He half-laughs, and I’m intrigued before he continues. “The girl I’ve crushed on for four years still hates my guts. No matter what I do to get her attention or simply talk to her, she always finds a way to make me feel two inches tall. And the worst part? I have no idea why.”

“There must be a reason. What’d you do?”

“I dunno, and she refuses to tell me. I was flirtin’ with her a few days ago, ya know, being my charmin’ self…”

I snort because I do know.

Landen Hollis is a playboy who gets every girl he wants. Except this one, apparently.

“And she snapped at me. Told me to leave her alone, she’s not playin’ hard to get and she’s not gonna tell me why she hates me.”

“Sounds like she knocked your ego down a few pegs.”

He scoffs. “Maybe.”

I laugh and it feels good after what happened within the past hour.

“Except, when we all ended up at The Lodge for lunch thatafternoon, she started chokin’ on her food. In that millisecond of seein’ the panic in her eyes and her face go red, I forgot every mean thing she’s ever said to me and went into action. I rushed over and gave her the Heimlich maneuver.”

“Oh shit.” I gasp. “She alright?”