Page 79 of Cautious Love

“What’s this I hear about you dating Shiloh Sullivan, who’s wearing a wedding ring, might I add?” she asks.

The entire house goes quiet. I didn’t think it was possible.

My mouth opens to form words, but nothing comes out.

“Well?” she says, crossing her arms.

I glance at Cooper, hoping for help, and he’s grinning, leaned back in his chair, happy to watch the show.

Fletcher and Tatum peek their heads around the corner, staring at me with wide eyes. The only one I can still hear is Naomi.

“You had to know this was coming, brother,” June says and reaches for a cracker and some cheese.

I glance at Sterling, and he shrugs. “She’s not wrong man, we all saw you dancing with her.”

Great.

“Mama, it’s new, and I’ll tell you more when I know more.”

She purses her lips and narrows her eyes. That’s one thing about Dixie Hayes. She knows her children inside and out, and when we’re not telling her everything, she’s not afraid to call us out.

“So explain to me why you’re dating a woman who ismarried?” she says.

I puff a breath and rub the back of my neck, hoping a hole will open up beneath me. But I’m not that lucky.

Everyone, save Naomi, is still staring at me, waiting for an explanation that I don’t want to give, or have one valid enough to make them believe it.

“It’s not … we’re not cheating,” I mumble.

“And how is that? Because I was going to drop by my son’s home the other day and I saw a woman’s car, I distinctly remember seeing Shiloh Sullivan driving from the diner,” she says, hand on hip.

Fletcher hisses as if he was burned, and I throw a glare at him. They love that I’m in the spotlight when I make an effort not to be.

I know she knows everyone, but is she seriously that observant?“I was getting coffee with the girls and saw her drive past us,” Mama says.

“I’m helping a friend.”

“Ledger,” she says.

“We’re not cheating…” I trail off. “Because she’s my wife.”

I didn’t think the room could get any quieter, despite some of them already knowing this information, but it did.

Shocked faces, except for Sterling and Cooper’s, stare at me, and I don’t know what else to say.

“How? When?” June scrambles.

“It’s complicated,” I mumble.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Mama says with tears in her eyes.

“Mama, please don’t cry, it’s not like that. I … we’re figuring some things out. Please, I’m begging ya’ll to trust me.”

Mama hums and tilts her head, tears gone. “I expect her at the next family dinner.”

“What! He gets a pass? He’smarried,and he didn’t tell any of us!” June yells.

“Oh, come on, June, you tell Mama everything anyway,” Fletcher says.