Page 98 of Take My Name

“Honey, it has nothin’ to do with how you feel for each other.But you both had lives before enterin’ each other’s, and there’s nothin’ wrong with protectin’ it.”

“Warren didn’t go after it. What makes you think Hayes would?”

“Well…” Mom snickers. “Warren isn’t Hayes.”

Exactly.

“Warren’s entitled to half of it, though, right? We never signed a prenup.”

“Our lawyers would make sure his claim never saw the inside of a courtroom. If he went that route, he’d risk his family’s ranch.”

“You’d go after ’em?”

“If he contested the divorce, yes. We’d fight and keep him in court for longer than he could afford.”

“Daddy!” I drop my fork.

“It’s not personal, sweetheart.”

“It is to me!”

“Does it matter anyway?” Mom shrugs. “He signed the papers and once they’re filed, it’ll only take a couple months to go through, and you’ll be in the clear for the weddin’ date.”

It matters because I’m realizing how heartless my parents truly are. Warren has every right to contest the divorce to get his fair share and for them to so easily threaten his family’s livelihood doesn’t sit right with me.

Warren wouldn’t anyway, so it’s hypothetical, but my parents’ true colors are alarming.

“I’m callin’ it off,” I blurt when my parents are in the middle of a discussion. “Cancel everythin’.”

Mom’s gaze shifts to me with deep frown lines around her lips. “Maisie…let’s not be rash.”

“I’m not marryin’ another man while being in love with someone else.”

“You’re what?” Dad raises a brow, seemingly unaware. “Since when?”

I shift uncomfortably but then straighten my spine to tell him the truth. “I think I always have been. Long before I came back here. But it took a few days to realize it.”

Mom purses her lips, disapproving of my outburst. “She’s been spendin’ time with him.”

“Warren?”

“Yes, Daddy. Every night since last weekend.”

“Oh.” He meets my mom’s eyes and they share a look. “Does Hayes know this?”

“Yes, and he basically told me to make a decision by the time he arrives on Saturday or he’d make it for me.”

“Apologies for interruptin’, sir, but you have a call.” One of the housekeepers reluctantly enters the dining room. “In your office.”

When he leaves, I’m ready to bolt too.

“Hayes will be here in two days. Don’t make any decisions until you see him,” Mom says, lowering her voice. “It’s easy to reminisce with an old flame when it’s the two of you. But you’ll remember how much you love Hayes too once he’s here.”

Doubtful. But I nod anyway, no longer in the mood to argue.

That doesn’t mean these two days can’t continue as planned.

Warren still owes me two dates and I’m going to make sure he follows through.