Chapter 15 #2
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 is designed to 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. “You were never the problem. Tyler was the whole problem.”
“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.
“Don’t make yourself small to fit into a small man’s world. You let that turd choke on your greatness.”
I laugh and nod. “I want to be a career woman. But sometimes I look at life and wonder if I want a family instead.”
She tilts her head. “Why can’t you have both?”
“I watched my dad not be able to have both. And my mom chose neither,” I remind her.
“That was their choice. And you aren’t either of them. You might share DNA, but you’re your own person. And thank God for that.”
I snort at her candor.
Birdie grows serious. “Any chance this doesn’t have to be fake?”
I shake my head. “We just met. He’s helping me. That’s it. Like you said...he’s a good guy.”
She hums, unconvinced. “That’s not what it looks like.”
“This is temporary. And strategic. We have a solid plan.”
Birdie grins. “I’ve seen a lot of things, sugar. I can tell when two people are pretending and when they’re real.”
I don’t answer. Because the fact is, everything is blurred now. I’m questioning everything. And it’s got me so anxious.
She pats my arm, gentle and reassuring. “Just be careful with each other. Soft hearts bruise easily.”
I nod, even though I have a feeling that broken hearts are inevitable in this case.
Later on, I’m at the Seashell Diner with Summer. She’s venting about her stepbrother, Dayton. We order coffee, and I get a sugar-free banana-nut blondie with a caramel drizzle. Her matcha was good the other day, but I’m more of a coffee lover.
“Okay, girl. What’s up with the sugar-free? Why is everyone ordering sugar-free these days?” she demands, looking offended.
I chuckle and shrug. “I don’t know, actually. I just started getting this back in New York, and I like it.”
Summer’s on a tangent right now. Dayton has her in a mood. He’s been keeping her from making the updates to her parents’ house she wants to make. I know it’s not necessarily about sugar-free coffee. But I let her rant.
“Why does everyone hate sugar?” she complains.
“I don’t hate sugar. I’m a big fan,” I tell her.
“Who stood by everyone when they were sad? Not lettuce, that’s for sure. It was sugar. Sugar!”
I pat her shoulder. “I know.”
“I just want my mural. And my painted tiles. Why is Dayton ruining that for me?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her. “I think it’s going to be beautiful.”
“And why does he hate sugar?” she bites out.
And there it is.
“He’s a psychopath,” I tell her.
“Exactly,” she agrees.
“Want to go do some yoga? Will that make you feel better?” I ask her.
“Yeah,” she says softly, sipping her matcha.
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.