My phone buzzes, and I look down and see a text from Wilby
Wilby: Heads up. Your dad grilled me today about what’s going on with you. He’s on the warpath. He is livid.
Great. I see I have several missed calls from my father. No more hiding from the inevitable, especially since Wilby is having to intervene on my behalf. Time to be the big girl I am and deal with him.
“Summer, I have to make a call. Meet you down at our spot?” I ask.
“Sure, I have to go get changed and get my mat. See you there.” She waves.
I take a steadying breath and dial my dad. He answers immediately.
“Silvie,” he growls, frustration dripping from my name. “I have been trying to call you.”
“I’m aware. What’s going on?” I ask, fighting back, rolling my eyes.
“Things are escalating here,” he says hesitantly, his anger dimming. “Your sister...is going to marry Tyler.”
“I know. I heard.”
“You know?” he barks out, once again pissed off. “And you’re doing nothing? What the hell, Silverlyn! You have to fix this. Come back to New York, right now. Fix this! You are supposed to run this company. You know this. If your sister gets control, she’s going to put Tyler in there. It’s bad enough he works here at all. I won’t have him in a position of power.”
That sounds like a nightmare and a half. I shudder at the thought of Tyler sitting at my desk in my office.
“Dad, you have to trust me. I’m fixing this. I need you to just wait it out,” I tell him calmly. “When have I ever let you down?”
That’s the truth. I’ve poured my heart and soul into our company. There’s no way I’ll let it crash and burn in the final hour. He knows this.
He breathes heavily, obviously worked up. And I can’t blame him.
“Okay,” he finally says. “But hurry.”
I’m doing my best.
16
Cal
Wilby’s pacingwhen he opens the door to his room at the B&B. He’s got a phone in one hand and a coffee in the other, and he looks agitated. Relief washes over his face when he sees me. He motions for me to come in.
“Okay, I have an appointment, sir. Yes, I’ll keep you updated,” he says as he rolls his eyes.
He hangs up and sets his phone down on the table where his laptop is open. “That was Silvie’s father. And no, I won’t be keeping him updated. He’s scary as hell, so I have to lie to him. But my allegiance will always be to Silverlyn.”
This comforts me for some reason. I can see it written all over Wilby’s face. He’ll run through fire for her. I’m beginning to realize she has that effect on people.
“As it should.” I snort and shove my hands in my pockets, noticing his suitcase is packed up. “Are you leaving?”
He shakes his head. “Not the island. But the B&B is all booked up. I have to find another place to stay.”
“Tourist season.” I nod. “This place gets pretty booked up.”
“This brings me to something we need to discuss,” he says. “Hear me out.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly. I’m not sure where he’s going with this.
“I need a place to stay. And Birdie has her guest room,” he says, stacking a few things on the table he’s working at.
I wait for him to continue.
