Page 56 of Take My Name

Warren parks the truck in front of his house, then turnstoward me. “You’re not the only one to blame, Maze. You were right when you said I coulda tried harder and given it a real chance instead of writin’ it off so quickly that I’d hate it there.”

“But that’s the thing, you would’ve hated it. Livin’ in as big of a city as New York ain’t for everyone. It took me months to adjust, hell, maybe years, but I had tunnel vision about gettin’ my dream job. It was selfish.”

He leans over and rests his palm on my towel-covered thigh. “I think we both were, if I’m being honest.”

I swallow hard before blurting my next words. “I waited over four years for you.”

He pulls back slightly, blinking before his gaze hardens on mine. “You did?”

“I had no interest in datin’, which is why I wasn’t that persistent at first about the divorce papers. My parents’ lawyer drafted ’em up before they told me about it. They said four years was long enough. After you sent ’em back unsigned, I didn’t think too much of it because I wasn’t in a serious relationship, so there was no urgency. Hayes and I were casually datin’ at the time, but we were both too focused on our careers to make a real commitment. But after I brought Hayes home to meet ’em, they got pushy. Once he proposed, that’s when they sent the papers twice more.”

“I wish I’d known that…” He scratches his cheek before rubbing the back of his neck. “I would’ve changed my mind.”

“About what?”

“About not wantin’ to leave here. After four years of knowin’ what it was like to be without you, I woulda jumped on a plane and moved my whole life to be with you again. Instead, I got obsessed with buildin’ my house, and every time I got those papers, it fueled me to work harder. Hopin’ that each time I sent ’em back, you’d come and change your mind once you saw what was waitin’ for you.”

My throat burns as tears prick the corners of my eyes. “I wish I’d known you hadn’t moved on.”

“Why?” he asks softly, leaning closer.

Swallowing hard, I focus on his lips as I force out my words. “I would’ve come sooner.”

Before he can ask me to elaborate, a loud knock on the driver’s side window causes us both to jump.

“Jesus Christ.” Warren inhales a sharp breath before rolling the window down.

“Hey!” His sister pokes her head through the window, then finally notices me. “Oh, hey Maisie!”

“Hi, Bellamy.” She looks more mature than the last time I saw her, but her long dark hair and dimples when she smiles are the same.

“Sorry to interrupt your…” She waves her hands, unsure of what to call this. “But I heard you had cheesecake?”

That’s the dessert he made for us?That’s more impressive considering that’s not an easy recipe.

“Please be jokin’…” Warren blows out a harsh breath, his head falling against the seat in defeat.

“What?” She feigns innocence and it’s hard not to crack up. “Like you two are gonna eat a whole one? You can share with your favorite sister. C’mon, I’m hungry.” Then she skips away toward the staircase that leads to the deck.

“Movin’ seven hundred miles away ain’t lookin’ so bad now,” he mutters, and I snort.

We get out of the truck and walk together into the house. A cold rush of air hits my skin, and I shiver. Even though I wore a one-piece, it still barely covers anything. I wasn’t as self-conscious as I thought I’d be, but being in the water helped since he couldn’t see anything below my shoulders.

“Would you mind if I quickly warmed up in your shower?”

“Yeah, of course. Go ahead. I’ll grab some clothes and change in my room.”

“Thanks.” I give Bellamy a quick wave before grabbing my bag of clean clothes and dipping down the hallway.

Bellamy’s loud whistle echoes and then there’s a muttered “shut up” from Warren.

Their relationship has always been hilarious because Bellamy’s the baby of the family and Warren’s the oldest.

Although I’ve been in Warren’s bathroom before, I’m still in awe that he did most of it himself and picked everything out. It’s clean and tidy, almost like no one ever comes in here. The tub is tempting, to say the least, but then I’d never want to leave.

I try not to take too long, but the rainfall showerhead has me wanting to stay under the hot water forever. Once I’ve warmed up, I wash my body with his soap and use his two-in-one shampoo and conditioner so my hair doesn’t smell like the river. Stepping out, I dry off and wrap a towel around my hair, then put on my leggings and sweatshirt.

Looking for his hamper, I realize there isn’t one in the bathroom, so I open the door with one towel on my arm and lower my head to shake out my hair before grabbing that towel next.