I nod. “He agreed.”
She looks at me and says, “I’m glad you’re coming with me. I can fight my own battles. But it sure is better fighting them with you.”
I smile. And that means more to me than she’ll ever know. I don’t want to be needed. I want to be wanted.
Silvie says, “Oh, and Wilby says he wants you to come to New York, too. He said you can be his emotional support animal with my dad. Apparently, he likes fighting battles with you, too.”
I grin, and silence settles between us. “I’d be honored.”
She yawns, and I suddenly feel tired, the heaviness of the last few days hitting us. Feelings are still tangled, and there’s still so much unsaid between us. But this has been enough for tonight.
21
Silvie
I lieawake with Cal’s arm heavy around my waist, his breathing slow and even against my back. I love sleeping with Cal. He feels safe and solid. I can’t get over the fact that he went to see my dad.
The thought still doesn’t feel real to me. I can’t imagine any other man that I’ve dated having the balls to go confront Charles Montclair. And then have drinks and lunch with him? This is wild. And I have no idea what was said at that lunch, but whatever it was, Cal is not intimidated by my dad, and he said he’d go back to New York with me.
I didn’t know I was allowed to have that. A man who would just be by my side and have my back like that. I’ve had my own back for so long. He just stepped in and set boundaries as if that were the most natural thing in the world. I’ve always assumed that I couldn’t have someone like Cal. I’d have to have someone my parents picked or someone who was good for the company. But I never thought I could have someonefor me.
Cal saved my company and me. And asked for nothing in return except for meeting his mom, whom I adore. He’s stood beside me. And that changes everything.
We can work out logistics. Cities, schedules, boardrooms, and beaches. All of that is solvable. I’ve been busting my butt for years. I know how to make things work out. But what I didn’t expect was to fall in love with someone like Cal. Who is steady, grounding, protective,and confident. He knows who he is and isn’t afraid to be himself. And that to me is sexy as hell in a partner. If I were allowed to dream up a perfect partner, it would be him.
This is terrifying because I feel like I have everything now. And I have something else I could potentially lose.
The next morning, I wake up to find Cal gone. His side of the bed feels cold, which likely means he’s been gone a while. I slept in and realized I’d forgotten to set my alarm.
I pad out to the kitchen to start coffee, and it’s already made, with a note next to my mug that he left out. I notice Cal’s neat, slanted handwriting.
Silvie,
I went fishing with Jonah. I’ll be back, packed, and ready by 2 pm.
Love, Cal
Love, Cal. My heart warms when I read it again. I sip the coffee and smile like a dork. He wrote “love.” I tuck the note into my journal on the counter. I take in the empty kitchen, tidy as usual. It doesn’t have much clutter, but it’s cozy and functional.
I make my way to the bathroom, stare at my reflection, and imagine the board members seeing me. My hair has gone curly with its natural glory. It’s lighter and could definitely use a deep-conditioning treatment, a trim, and a blowout. I’m a simple girl, but I like my blowouts. Something I haven’t had in months now. My nails are a mess. If I don’t look put together, the board won’t take me seriously. I’m the new CEO of Montclair Holdings, and I want to look the part. They’re going to try to swallow me up if I show up like this.
I need a massive maintenance day. I sigh.
I grab my phone and call Carly.
She answers on the second ring. “Hi, Silvie.”
“Hey,” I say. “I have something to run by you.”
She hums. “Sounds interesting.”
“If I bring someone with me, can we do hair and makeup at your house today while we are doing book club?” I ask. “It’s totally okay if you say no. But I was thinking we could do it together, like a spa day. We could both be pampered while we eat snacks and talk about books.”
She pauses for a bit.
I wince. “Again, totally fine if you say no.”
Carly clears her throat, sounding nervous. “Do I have to go outside?”
