Chapter 1

Sloane Arden came down the stairs from the apartment above the new restaurant wearing my husband's white shirt.

Her black dress was folded over one arm. She carried her shoes in the other hand.

Theo followed her down, buttoning his cuffs.

He stopped when he saw me. "Maren."

My grip tightened around the opening binder. I set it on the counter.

"The staff will be here soon," he said. "Don't make a scene."

He already expected me to shout. A year ago, I would have.

Sloane pulled the shirt closed at her chest. "We worked late. My dress smelled like smoke, so Theo told me to stay upstairs."

She smiled at me.

"He also asked me to take over after the launch. We'll be working together every day."

Theo watched my face.

In the past, I had questioned every late night and every message from Sloane. I had asked him to stop meeting her alone. I had wanted him to explain, apologize, and choose me.

This time, I opened the binder.

"When do you want me to start the handover?"

Sloane looked at Theo. Neither of them had expected me to agree.

"What handover?" Theo asked.

"The staff files, vendor contacts, reservation system, and opening schedule." I turned to Sloane. "You'll need all of it if you're running the restaurant."

"I can start today."

"I'll send you the passwords before lunch."

Theo stepped closer. "Maren, wait."

"I have a meeting with the kitchen staff."

I walked into the office and put the binder on my desk. Theo came in behind me and closed the door.

"You're angry."

"I have work to finish."

"This is about what you saw upstairs."

I looked at him. "Do you want to explain it?"

He hesitated.

That hesitation would've kept the old me in the room. I would have pushed until he gave me an answer I could live with.

I picked up the staff schedule.

"The launch meeting starts in ten minutes."

Years ago, Theo had been the one who wanted me.

I hadn't been interested in dating him. He still came to Bellflower Bakery near closing time and waited until I finished work. He walked me home, learned my mother's recipes, and ruined more than one pear tart trying to impress me.

When women called him, he told me who they were. When Sloane's name came up, he said their relationship had ended long before he met me.

He was patient until I trusted him. Then I fell in love and started caring about every hour he came home late.

Theo used to reassure me before I asked.

Later, he waited for me to get upset and treated my jealousy as proof that I would stay.

At noon, I gave Sloane access to the restaurant accounts. She mentioned that Theo preferred the dining room lights low and the music off during menu tastings.

Theo looked at me again.

I continued explaining the reservation system.

That evening, he came home with a pastry box.

Inside was a pear tart. The crust was uneven, like the ones he had made when he was trying to win me over.

"I made it," he said. "After the launch, we'll talk. I'll explain everything."

I used to wait for promises like that.

"Thank you," I said. "You can put it in the kitchen."

Upstairs, I called the contractor restoring Bellflower Bakery.

"The inspection passed," she said. "You can collect the keys the morning Cole House opens."

I emailed the confirmation to my attorney and asked her to prepare the divorce papers.

Then I marked the restaurant launch on my calendar.

Ten days until the handover.

Ten days until I left Theo.