Her mom laughed."I don't know what she had in mind, Callie, but the first time I went in there after you quit — when you were still getting ready to make the move — she acted all coy.Like she was worried about you moving all the way to California even though you didn't get the transfer you wanted."
Callie blew out a sigh."Damn.I didn't think about that.I did intend to transfer to a bank out here at first, you know.That wasn't a lie.I did apply, but they turned me down, and that's when I decided I didn't need them anyway.I knew I could make it on my own, even if no one else believed I could."
"Oh, Cals, we believe in you.We always have and always will.I hate that you thought otherwise.We just worry, that's all.We want the best for you."
Callie's hand came up to cover her heart."Thanks, Mom.And I'm really sorry I didn't tell you."
"Well, I guess that makes us even, then, doesn't it?"She could hear the smile in her mom's voice."I'm sorry that we didn't tell you we knew, too.I just wanted you to be able to come clean in your own time.And now you have, we can put it behind us, can't we?"
"Gladly.Tell Dad I'm sorry too, would you?"
"I will.But you know he'd love it if you came home to tell him yourself.Just for a visit," her mom chuckled."Since you've got no money worries because your pottery's doing so well, right?"
Callie laughed with her."It is.I really don't have any worries.The pottery's selling well, and it might start doing even better soon.There's some new marketing coming up that I'm hoping will help."
"Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.And when you're flush with money, you can come back and visit us more often.How about that?"
"It's a deal."
"And since you finally told me about the job — is there anything else you're keeping secret?"
"No," Callie said immediately.
"I don't mean anything bad.I just mean you never really tell me what's going on in your life anymore.No boyfriends, no nothing.I know Becca's wedding sounded lovely, but apart from that, you never talk about what's going on, other than your pottery and your coffee and your walks on the beach."
Callie laughed."That's because that was all that was going on in my life."
"Was?Is there something different going on now?"
"Yeah, there is.I met someone, Mom.He's awesome.I think you'll really like him."
"Oh, Callie, tell me all about him.What's he like?Is he from California, or is he one of those guys at your coffee shop?I always kind of hoped you might start dating one of them.They sound nice."
Callie laughed."No, those guys are great — Drew and Kai — but they're dating each other, so no."
"Oh, right.I never thought of that."
Callie had to laugh at her mom's surprised tone."That's probably why I never mentioned it before, either."
"Callie Claiborne," her mom said in a mock stern tone, "would you stop keeping things from me just because you don't know how I'm going to react?I'm older than you, even if I'm not smarter than you.I can figure it out for myself, okay?"
"Okay, Mom.I promise that in the future, I'll just tell you."
"I hope so, love.That way we can be closer and work stuff out together."
Callie squeezed her eyes tight shut and had to swallow a couple of times."I'd love that, Mom."
Her mom sniffed."But never mind all that stuff.Tell me about this guy.What's he like?What's his name?"
"His name’s Ollie."Callie sniffed again and had to swipe away a tear that had spilled out."And since I just agreed to be honest and not worry about how you might react to things, I'll tell you who he is.His name's Ollie, but his full name is Oliver Stratton.His dad is Miles Stratton.You know — the movie director?"
"What?"her mom asked in a shocked tone."A movie director?You mean the one who madeThe Long Way Home?"
"Yeah, I mean him."
"Oh my goodness, Callie.How on earth did you meet him?"
"He lives in Napa.He's friends with Becca's husband, Jacob."
