“Hi.” She gasps. “Cal.”
“You guys good?” I ask, trying to keep it casual as I look from her to my mom and back at her.
I can’t remember the last time I saw my mom this happy. My chest is tight, and the overwhelming feeling of many emotions fills me. Happiness. Gratitude. Regret. All a strange combo.
My mom looks at me and beams. “Hi, honey. I was just having scones and coffee with Silvie.”
She says it as if it’s absolutely normal to do on a random day. It’s not. I mean, I’ve always wanted her to do this. In fact, for years, people have tried to come visit. She just wouldn’t take any visitors without me being there. Ever. They give up and just leave her random goodies and notes on her porch now. Which she loves...but I’ve never seen anyone here.
Silvie nods, confirming. “Yeah. We’re good. We’re talking about books. Your mom has read so many good ones. So, many. Cal, she’s got the lowdown on the best series. Like ever. I have to write these down.”
“Did you tell her what her job is?” I prompt, looking at my mom.
“Yes,” Silvie says, shaking her head in disbelief. “Coolest job ever, by the way. Your mom is just way cool.”
Mom looks down, not sure what to do with the compliment. “Thanks,” she says softly, but I know she’s so happy right now.
“I can’t believe you’re an editor for a major publishing house. You get paid to read books. Not fair,” Silvie says, tucking her pretty hair behind her ear. “You’re living the life, Carly.”
It’s the perfect job for my mom, who refuses to leave the house.
“Silvie and I are going to have our own little book club,” Mom says cheerfully. “And set up regular coffee dates.”
Interesting. Like this is normal. Like, Silvie didn’t just slide herself into the center of my life and make my two favorite people fall in love with her. Jonah and my mom. This is like freaking sorcery. Like the universe is sending me the biggest joke ever. A fake wife who my family is into almost as much as I am. Because, let’s face it. I’mreallyinto her.
“Come join us, honey,” my mom calls as she stands to grab another plate out of the cabinet.
She knows I’ll never turn down time with her. Even though I need to get home and get ready. I can’t ever tell her no.
I grab the shirt thrown over my shoulder, put it on, and make my way to the sink to wash my hands. “Fair warning, I smell. I’ve been out fishing with Jonah.”
“Oh, how is Jonah? He’s supposed to bring me a fish today to fry,” she says as she slides a mug onto the table and pushes the platetoward me. “We have a thing where he leaves one already in the cooler by the back door.”
I actually did not know that. Another interesting fact that I’m learning about my mother today.
I watch Silvie reach for another scone in the center of the table. She eyes me curiously. I didn’t miss the way her eyes trace my tattoos on my chest and arms. That was one hobby I’ve had the past few years, collecting tattoos. And it seems like she likes them.
“He’s good. I told him we were getting fake married. He knows not to tell anyone, so don’t worry,” I say as I take a bite of a scone.
Silvie nods. “Of course, I trust Jonah.”
“Me, too.” Carly nods. “He’s a good man.”
We make small talk, and I don’t miss how Silvie’s eyes drift between my mom and me like she’s trying to figure out a puzzle.
This is when it hits me. I’m so screwed. I’m in deep. I like her. And all of the walls that I’ve carefully built around me here in Coconut Beach to keep myself safe are crumbling one by one, and I feel like I’m watching it happen in real time. Like I’m sitting here, and there’s nothing I could do to stop it if I even tried.
The divorce after the fake marriage is going to hit me hard.
And there’s nothing I can do about it.
15
Silvie
Cocktails& Chaos has become our early-morning office for all things wedding planning and strategy over the past few days. Wilby commandeered an entire table with his laptop open, sunglasses up on his head, and he looks comical here rather than back in our New York Office. In fact, he fits right in.
Wilby and I just finished sunrise yoga with Summer while Cal surfed. And honestly, I’m still a little embarrassed, so I’m glad Wilby is here as a buffer now. Wilby told us both, under no uncertain terms, that he would never surf again. In fact, I’m not sure he’s ever going into the ocean after the jellyfish incident that seems to have scarred him for life. He’s never going to let me live that one down.
