Page 51 of Take My Name

“Don’t touch the cheesecake,” I warn, knowing they’re little snoops.

“Cheesecake?” Aunt JoJo’s mouth opens before it forms into a mischievous grin.

“Don’t,” is the last word I get out before my mom drags her out the door and closes it behind them.

You’d think living up the mountains away from the ranchand the main farmhouse would award me some privacy, but Aunt JoJo and my mom are the biggest gossips in town. They were best friends before Mom married Aunt JoJo’s older brother, so they have decades of getting in trouble together.

Once I have pants and a T-shirt on, I meet them in the kitchen.

“Sorry, honey. Bodie let it slip that you have seven days to win her back, so we needed to know what’s goin’ on.”

“That little shit,” I murmur.

I should’ve gotten a worse picture of him. He’s probably hoping I do leak it because it’ll make girls his age go crazy. Especially the ones with a cowboy fantasy.

“If I tell you everythin’, do you promise to leave and keep tight-lipped about it?”

“Yes!” they agree in unison.

I blow out a breath, then lean against the kitchen counter as they sit at the breakfast bar. Starting at the beginning, I go back to last Thursday when she showed up at the house and continue with my plans for tonight. Finally, I explain what’ll happen after the seventh day if she still wants a divorce—I’ll sign the papers and never see her again.

“Wow…” Aunt JoJo murmurs in a daze.

“You’re gonna let her rip out your heart a second time,” Mom says, the disappointment written across her face.

“Maybe that’s what it’ll take for him to move on from her for good,” Aunt JoJo says, speaking as if I’m not in the same room as them. “Unless she changes her mind and they give their marriage another chance.”

“Assumin’ she’s willin’ to move here.” Mom presses her lips into a firm line.

“She’s her own boss, so she can work remotely anywhere,” Aunt JoJo replies.

I cross my arms over my chest as they go back and forth, discussing my marriage as if they’re picking out an outfit for a random night out versus my actual life.

“What if he moves there for her instead? At least he’d be happy…” Aunt JoJo continues.

“I don’t like that idea,” Mom replies. “If they have kids, I’ll never see my grandchildren.”

“Oookay…” I drawl, interrupting the shitstorm of possibilities. Pushing off the counter, I wave my hand between their faces. “Only Maisie and I will be discussin’ what happens next, and that’s onlyifshe wants to give it another shot. The deal was I had to make her change her mind about the divorce, so there’s no point in talkin’ about what’s next unless she does.”

“We wanna see you happy again, honey. You’ve been a shell of yourself for too long. You deserve to find someone who wants to be with you as much as you wanna be with ’em.”

“I know, Mom. And if she still wants a divorce, I’ll give it to her and find a way to move on, then.”

I grind my molars because the thought ofmoving onmakes my stomach twist.

She rounds the counter, wraps her arms around me in a hug, and I give her one in return.

“Just guard your heart, okay? You’re still in love with her, but she’s in love with someone else, and that scenario never ends well.”

Even though I’m well aware of the consequences I could face after spending time with her this week, Mom’s words stab a dagger through my chest. It’s one thing to go through the pain insecret, but the more people who find out, the more will witness the aftermath—which is why I didn’t want anyone else to know.

“You can say no, but…” Aunt JoJo drawls, glancing between my mom and me. “Invite her to the restaurant tomorrow night and I’ll make sure it’s in a private area for the two of you.”

“That sounds awfully romantic,” Mom says in her disapproving tone.

“I thought the whole point was to make her fall in love with him again?” Aunt JoJo scowls. “What better place to take her than the Summit Views Restaurant, which was designed to help couples reconnect? Plus, tomorrow’s special is lamb chops.” She grins proudly.

It’s obvious my mother isn’t on board, but it does sound nice.