Pushing my chest away, Stefan says, “I wouldn’t call it bartering when she’s been coming back since she was sixteen. If anything, I’d call it charity.”
I blink once. Twice. Three times.
It’s not the implication that Calypso still wants him that has me so fired up. I don’t believe that for a fucking second.
Calypso once mentioned that he’s six years older than her, and that Ruby is only a few years older than she was. I stupidly gave him too much credit, assuming she meant the age when they met—not when they fucking got married. Now, I’m doing the math, and it has my stomach roiling.
He met her when he was twenty-two and she was still inhigh school?
It doesn’t change anything that I feel about Calypso, other than that growing need to protect her, but it changes everything about Stefan. She was akidwhen they met.
Between the loss of her father and falling for the devil, did Calypso ever really get to be one to begin with?
I’m speechless as I stare, seething, at Stefan in front of me. Blood throbs in my ears and I don’t think I can holdmyself back this time. Stefan must see it on my face because the moment I tighten my fist, he turns on his heel.
This time, Calypso reaches out for me and pulls my arm into her chest. In the second I take to make sure she’s okay, Stefan is already gone in the crowd. Even Ruby’s bright hair is lost in the thick mass of people.
“Don’t,” Calypso commands me, tightly gripping my wrist. It’s quiet but mighty—fierce, just like her.
Looking down, I close my eyes and shake my head. “I need a good reason not to, honey.”
She scoffs. “Because he doesn’t matter.”
I look at her with pained eyes. “You weresixteen, Calypso.”
She pales, realizing what set me over the edge. “When we met—not when we dated,” she whispers, glancing around. We’re in the middle of the aisle but I still have half a mind to find him.
“Can you honestly say it was always innocent?”
Her glare hardens but she avoids my question. “Then stay because I’m asking you to.”
Fuck, she’s got me there.
Taking a deep breath, I try to relax my muscles but take one more hard look down the pier, hoping he might come back for round two.
“Liam.” Calypso draws it out, almost sounding like a plea. That gives me the strength to let it go—for now. Hearing her beg me for anything only breaks my heart. I’d rather be the one on my knees for her in every situation.
She grips my jaw, forcing my attention back to her. “I don’t want this to turn into a scene. Not here—nottoday.”
The farmer’s market is Calypso’s favorite part of her week. It’s become mine too.
“Plus… you’re too pretty to be arrested,” she teases, repeating my sentiment from the night we met. “Especially in these shorts.” She tugs on one of my pockets.
Stefan is going to be around more, even if I’d love to imagine otherwise. Right now, Calypso’s honey-brown eyes that are filled with affection are the only thing I want to focus on.
My hand trails up her neck and rests on the nape of her neck. “You’re okay?”
She rolls her eyes but it’s more for show. “I won’t be if he ruins the rest of my day.”
Sundays are her favorite.
I slip my hand in hers, unsure of this new territory, but hand holding feels good,right, after the moment we just had. She interlaces our fingers and pulls me to a better part of the day.
Chapter Fifteen
Calypso
Sitting back on my hands, I watch the fire crackle. It’s been a long day.
