Page 30 of Take My Name

It’s why I had to make it crystal clear I had no interest in reconciling our relationship nor was I leaving my fiancé. My life is in New York and we’re happy.

“Hi, honey.” I answer my phone when Hayes calls a few hours later.

“Hello, sweetheart. How are you?”

“Good. Readin’ in bed.” I stretch back against the headboard, setting the open book face down across my chest.

“A new manuscript?”

“No, actually. A book I used to read in high school. My parents have all my old ones and I was feelin’ nostalgic.”

“It’s nice you’re reading for yourself.”

“Yeah.” I smile.

Books have always been a healthy escape for me. Living under the pressure of my parents growing up, I needed an outletthat was just for me. Between the extracurriculars they pushed on me so my college applications looked good and countless charity events they dragged me to, I looked forward to sticking my nose in a fictional world I could pretend was my own.

“How’s writin’ going?”

“Great. I’m taking a break to eat and then I’ll probably continue until bedtime.”

“I can’t wait to read it,” I gush. He doesn’t let anyone see it until his editor goes through it, but it’s always a treat when it’s ready for me.

“Me too. I think it’s my best work to date.”

“Doesn’t every writer say that?” I tease.

“But this time, I’m serious.” He chuckles lightly. “Hoping to be done in a couple weeks, maybe sooner.”

My mind goes back to the moment I saw his book in Warren’s stack. It’s one Hayes released before we started dating, but since then, I’ve managed to read all of them. It took a while since there are almost thirty. As soon as Warren said his favorite author is my future husband’s pen name, the words caught in my throat and my heart pounded in pure panic.

If Warren found out, he’d be devastated.

I didn’t want to give myself away or ruin his reading experience, so I tried not to react.

“Perfect, that means I’ll get my fiancé back when I return.”

“At least until I get my editorial letter.”

That’ll be at least a month, so I’ll take what I can get.

“Just in time to finish some weddin’ stuff when I get back.”

“What’s left that the event planner can’t do?”

He’s not been super active in the plans, but I don’t mind. Since we’re getting married here versus New York and both busy with work, it made sense to hire Nicola and let her handle thebigger details down here, but there are some things we need to do ourselves.

“Well…you still need to get fitted for your tux. We need to pick out our weddin’ bands. Write our vows. Decide on which weddin’ party gifts we wanna give the groomsmen and bridesmaids. Finish our registry. Maybe book our honeymoon?”

“As soon as I have my next tour dates,” he reminds me.

The book he wrote last year releases in a few months. We’d already booked our venue when the release date was announced, so until his tour dates are set, we haven’t been able to make plans. But I’m hopeful he’ll find out soon.

“Right.”

“Sorry, Maisie. My dinner’s here. Talk tomorrow?”

“Sounds good. I love you.”