The calmness falters as I mentally prepare myself for the realness of what’s coming.
“You still good?” he asks Cal.
Cal nods. “Yes.”
I long for that hug Cal and I were having when we were interrupted. I wish I could go back into his arms and just stay there right now. There’s something grounding and relaxing about Cal.
Wilby heads over to the coffee pot and pours himself a cup. “I need this. Also, your dinosaur chased me over here. What is wrong with that thing?”
I frown. “Iggy?”
“Yeah, the monster that lives in the bushes in front of Birdie’s.That’s the one.” He shudders. “Unless it has a whole monster family I don’t know about.”
“I don’t think Iggy likes men,” I muse.
He lifts an eyebrow. “He’s a very rude iguana. Sexist.”
“He’s just misunderstood,” I say. “You just need to bring him a treat or something.”
“You have truly lost your mind,” Wilby says. “I’m not bringing him a treat.”
I shrug. “I’m just saying. That’s the way to your heart. Maybe it’s the way to his, too.”
Birdie laughs and goes back to fussing with the little bouquet she brought me. It’s beautiful with purple flowers and white daisies.
Wilby sips his coffee and glances to where Cal has gone back to his room to get ready. Then he says, “Girl.”
I brace instinctively. “Yes?”
“Your husband is the only family member you get to choose.”
The words hit harder than I expected. They drop straight into my chest and sit there, heavy and undeniable.
Wilby continues, still casual, still scrolling his phone like he didn’t just crack something open inside me. “This time, you’re not picking a loser.”
I huff out a breath. “Pretend husband. And yes, Cal is great for doing this.”
Cal is so far from a loser, it’s not funny. He’s amazing. Funny, kind, strong, protective, and so freaking hot. I could go on and on, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Wilby looks up again, eyes sharp now. “We’ll see about the pretend part.”
There’s a smirk on his face that says he knows exactly what he’s doing. I open my mouth to argue, then close it. Because part of me doesn’t want to.
“I’m still your boss, you know.”
He scoffs. “We know who gets the work done. And you know I’m still your bestie.”
I grin. I finish my coffee and set my cup in the sink. “All right, let’s get ready.”
I glance at Birdie, and she meets my eyes and smiles. I’m so gladshe’s here. It feels right to be here with her. I think about what Wilby said.
The only family member you get to choose is your husband.
But I am lucky that I’ve gotten to choose Birdie and Wilby. Really lucky. I wish my dad were here. I wish I could tell him about the marriage, but, I can’t. I don’t know where he stands on everything, and I have to focus on the company. This is for work. And also, if Dad were involved, he’d have my mother and Belladonna pulled in too, and I don’t want either of them anywhere near Coconut Beach.
This feels like a safe space for me, and they don’t belong.
Birdie and I decide to go to her house to get ready. We gather up everything. Wilby agrees to stay with Cal, work, and help make sure everything is ready to go.
