She tilts her head. “What do you mean? Can’t I stay with you?”
I grimace, having not told my mom and sisters about this development yet. I’m surprised my aunt or uncle haven’t shared the news either.
“My apartment complex is temporarily closed,” I explain. I don’t plan on ever going back there, and would never let Jo live there. “I’m staying with Calypso.”
Her mouth pops open and she turns to look at the strawberry blonde beauty.
Awkwardly, but not shyly, Calypso waves. “Yup.”
The kitchen door flies open and, always with perfect timing, Lexi walks inside.
She sees me with an arm around Jo and points. “Are you having an affair? Did I just walk in on the big confrontation?”
Chuck is laughing and plating a few slices of the strawberry and jalapeño sourdough, fresh out of the oven.
Jo pushes me away. “Ew, no. God,no.”
We have different dads, plus the eight year age difference, so we don’t look that similar.
“This is my little sister,” I tell Lexi. “Jo, this is Lexi.”
“Ohhh,” Lexi says and snatches one of the pieces off the plate Chuck is handing Jo. He playfully swats her hand away. “Nice to meet you, little sister.” She takes a bite and gives the older man an appreciative nod, humming as she goes for a second.
“I’m not into that porno,” Jo retorts with a playful scrunch of her nose.
Lexi’s head tips back laughing and Calypso’s snicker fills the air too. Even Chuck finds humor in the crude joke.
“And that’s Josephine for you,” I say.
“I like her,” Lexi says. “Can we keep her, Mom?”
Calypso grabs one of the extra unfrosted cupcakes from her order and throws it at Lexi’s head, but she catches it in her mouth. “Don’t ever call me that again.”
That’s interesting.
We’ve never talked about children, or if Calypso would ever even want to get married again. I’d be open to it, but it’s not something I’m desperate for either. There’s a lot of ways to show your commitment to someone.
I don’t get the impression she has any desire to relive the tradition, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want children. Then I remember Knox joking that a PTA meeting was the last place I would find my blind date.
“I’ll be here all week,” Jo says and pretends to bow. “IfI can find a place to stay that’s super cheap.”
“I’ll cover whatever you need,” I say but she immediately shakes her head.
“I just need to find a job.”
“I can help with a job,” Calypso says. “Do you bartend?”
Jo perks up. “I do. I’m really good, too.”
“Max’s is hiring, but it’s fine dining.”
Jo nods and stands a little straighter. “I promise I can handle it.”
Calypso bobs her head and starts typing on her phone. Lexi is leaning against the metal worktable and tapping her lip as she eyes my sister. It’s not necessarily from attraction but there is interest there.
If Lexi wasn’t tied up in her own romantic shit, she could be perfect for Jo. According to Calypso, she isn’t the most committed person but she’s always honest, respectable. I think her penchant for a good time and shameless personality is exactly what my sister needs. Plus she’s as loyal as they come, and Jo lost contact with a lot of her friends while dating Megan. The clever brunette could be the perfect person to take my sister under her wing.
“I might be able to help you with the place to stay,” Lexi says, already proving my point.
