Cal leans in and says softly, “You wouldn’t be trapping me. I offered.”
That’s worse. When it ultimately ends or falls apart spectacularly, I’ll feel guilty for that, too.
I look away, blink hard. “I didn’t come here to get married.”
“I know.”
“I came here to breathe and have peace,” I say, gesturing between us. “And this will take away both of our peace. I don’t think you fully understand.”
Cal smiles softly. “Bring it.”
Wilby watches us, quiet now, like he’s calculating. “This is going to save your company.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Okay.”
We finish eating and chat about the logistics. Wilby emails the company to say he’ll be working remotely for the next week, but doesn’t offer any details on where or why. So far, I’ve been able to keep my location private, and I want to keep it that way. He researches and steps outside to make a few calls.
Cal leans back and looks at me. “You okay?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not okay. This is proving to be the weirdest day ever.”
Cal snorts and nods.
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m not grateful. But I think statistically this is going to be a shitshow, and I’m worried about that for you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. But I do have one request,” Cal says sheepishly. His cheeks redden and he can’t meet my eyes.
I give him a curious look, my nerves making my pancakes sour in my gut. “What?”
Cal sighs and looks out at Wilby on the phone, who’s no doubt setting up an impromptu wedding. “I need you to come meet my mom.”
Oh.
Oh my.
I soften. “Your mom?”
Cal nods. “Her name is Carly. It would break her heart if she heard about you from anyone else. And I don’t keep things from her.”
My heart melts a little. Cal is such a good guy.
“Yes, I’d love to meet her. Just say when,” I agree. “But she’s probably going to think this is the weirdest thing ever.”
Or the most horrible. If she’s a normal mom, unlike my crazy, controlling one, she won’t like the idea of her son marrying out of convenience to help some tourist who blew into town wearing a wedding dress and carrying a suitcase full of issues.
While I like the idea of meeting her, I wish it were under any other circumstances. I’m suddenly nervous but also excited at the same time. What if she’s really cool? I’ve never had a cool mom. Just my sorry excuse for one.
“Well...she probably won’t think this is that weird,” Cal assures me. “But to be on the safe side, we’ll pay her a visit so she’s not blindsided.”
“Does she want to go out to dinner? We could...”
Cal shakes his head. “The thing is...she doesn’t leave the house.”
“Oh. Like ever?” I ask, suddenly feeling worried.
“No.”
“Where does she live?” I ask, curious.
