"Hello?" I greet, cautiously opening the door.
"Hi. Delilah?"
"Yes."
"I'm Maisie, Warren's wife."
"Oh, hi. Come in." I step back to give her room to walk in. "Wilder's not here, though."
"He called and asked if I could bring you somethin' to eat because—his words, not mine—she'll starve if you don't feed her. She burns toast and will forget to turn on the stovetop when she boils water."
My mouth pops open, and I huff with my hands on my hips. "That was one time."
That's what I get for telling him embarrassing stories about myself.
Maisie laughs, setting the basket down on the table. "No judgment from me. When I went to college in New York, I lived off bagel runs and iced coffee. The second time I moved there, my apartment was too small to even have a full kitchen, so I rarely cooked.."
"Wilder's told me a little about you being a literary agent. That sounds so cool."
"It can be..." She opens the basket and starts removing containers of food. "It's a lot of work and keeps me very busy. Not as much now since I hired a few agents, but in the beginning, it consumed my life day and night."
"I bet livin' in the city was a fun experience..." I grab two plates from the cupboard, unsure if she's staying or not, and bring them to the table.
"Yes and no. I'm glad I went because I learned a lot about myself, but now, I wouldn't leave this place if you paid me. This is where I grew up and it's home. Plus, comin' back and fallin' in love with Warren all over again was worth it."
"Aw...that sounds so sweet."
"It wasn't always sunshine and rainbows. When I first arrived, he slammed the door in my face."
My eyes widen, but now I'm fully locked in for the tea.
"Honestly, I don't blame him. We got married after I graduated college, but when I found a literary job in New York City, I moved back there even though I knew he wouldn't comewith me. I hoped he'd change his mind, but years later, I met someone else. When he proposed, I came here to beg Warren to sign the divorce papers I sent him previously."
"Oh, shit." My jaw drops. "No wonder he slammed the door."
She laughs, nodding. "Yep, and it was a fight every second to get to where we are now. But it brought us back together, so I'm not too mad about it."
My stomach growls as she continues setting everything out. "This smells delicious."
"I can't take the credit. It's from the restaurant on the property here, but the chef is incredible. If y'all have time before you leave, stop in and have dinner. It's very romantic." She beams, piling beef tips and pasta on one of the plates.
"I'm sure we will, but if not, I'll make him bring me back." I grin. "Can you eat with me?"
"Are you sure? I was only intendin' to drop it off."
"Please, stay. I'd love to hear more about you and Warren, the resort, and your job."
"Okay, sure." She smiles. "But truthfully, I'm supposed to be gettin' information about you so I can tell the others about Wilder's mysterious new wife."
"Oh God..." I groan, chuckling. "It's a long story."
The corner of her lips curve up. "All the best ones are."
Maisie and I are curled up on the couch with wine glasses by the time Wilder walks in. He peeks into the living room and shakes his head when he sees she's still here.
"You were supposed to drop it off, remember?"
"She invited me," Maisie defends.