“You have no idea,” I say. “Right-hand man.”
Wilby closes his laptop with a decisive snap. “Okay. Everything is locked and loaded. You are winning, Silverlyn. Period. Tyler the turd and your skank sister will not be getting your company. Our plan is foolproof.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“It’s going to be fine. We’re sticking to the plan. I gotta run and figure out my B&B situation. Since I extended my trip, they are saying there’s no room. I’m hoping to get in at the Palms. Thanks for breakfast, Cal.”
“No, problem,” Cal says.
“Thank you!” I call. “Let me know about your room situation.”
And somehow, I feel so much relief when he says it’s going to all be fine.
Because right now everything feels more than fine. It feels pretty great.
I need to work off some of my nervous energy. Birdie’s off with her Bees doing God knows what. I clean her cottage and get it sparkling. It smells like clean laundry and lemon cleaner, which feels wildly productive for someone like me whose life is currently a massive shit show.
I’ve got her bedding switched out and mine in the washer. I’m folding towels when Birdie comes in from the porch with her purse over her shoulder. “Well. If this isn’t a treat to come home to. What are you doing, sugar?”
“I’m anxious,” I say. And I clean and organize when I’m feeling anxious.
“I know. You have a lot going on,” she says as she hangs up her purse. She saunters over, takes out the jar of iced tea, and pours two glasses. “Come sit down.”
I reluctantly fold the last towel and set them all in the basket.
“Well,” she says gently. “I bet you didn’t see your trip playing out this way.”
“Nope.” I laugh as I take a sip of my tea. “But here we are.”
She sets her tea down and says, “I like Cal for you, sugar. Are you sure this is a fake relationship? Looks like it could be pretty great if you ask me.”
Perhaps that’s the underlying reason for my anxiety. I know she’s right. What happens when it all ends? The whole thing isdesignedto end. Cal is helping me achieve a goal, and when I achieve said goal… That’s the part that stresses me out.
“Everyone likes Cal, apparently,” I say, trying to keep my tone light despite the rampant thoughts in my head. “Wilby’s trying to find something wrong with him.”
She shakes her head. “You’ll probably never find anything.”
That makes me feel better, even though I already knew, deep down, this was the case.
She continues, tracing the sweat ring of her tea on the tablecloth. “I do want you to be careful.”
“Why is that?” I ask, curious.
“You’re both soft souls,” she says, her voice kind. “Underneath that badass CEO exterior of yours, you’re still my sweet sugar.”
My throat tightens, and she continues.
“And Cal,” she adds, smiling, “is a good man. He loves his momma. He works hard, and he shows up. He’s good to everyone in this town. Good people, that man.” She looks at me, her eyes sharper, but still warm. “I want you both to be happy.”
“If I couldn’t even keep Tyler, I’m not sure I can keep a good one like Cal,” I say admitting my thoughts aloud. “I’m not doing well in the relationship department.” When it’s all over, Cal may be more than eager to move on from me.
She scoffs. “Youwere never the problem. Tyler was thewholeproblem.”
“He rejected me. For Belladonna,” I remind her. “It’s embarrassing.”
She cups my cheek. “Sugar, he didn’t reject you. He rejected the man he would have to become in order to be with someone as incredible as you.”
“Thanks,” I say softly, my heart melting.
