Chapter Twenty-One
Liam
Walking into Vivi’s fully furnished apartment, I roll one of my sister’s suitcases behind me and pause inside the threshold before looking from Jo to Calypso to Lexi before landing my gaze on Vivi.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I ask for the fifth time.
Calypso rolls her eyes. “You’re doing her a favor. She and Grady didn’t want to wait two more months but ‘it was the agreement.’” She adds air quotes around the last part.
“We just didn’t want to rush the girls,” Vivi argues. “It’s true though—and they were excited when Grady asked if it would be okay.” She looks like a lovesick schoolgirl.
Lexi smiles smugly. “You’re welcome—as are you two.” She points at Calypso and me. “I’m basically a modern day Cupid.”
It’s true that Lexi was the one who set up the blind date, but she doesn’t know our relationship is fake; although, she might suspect it. Calling her “Cupid” feels like a reach, but I won’t argue with the woman who found my sister a safe, and clean, place to stay.
Jo hesitantly steps forward. “Ireallyappreciate you moving your entire life around for me. I’m happy to babysit or bartend the wedding. For free, of course.”
Vivi laughs and waves her hand in the air. “We have plenty of babysitters, but I’ll add you to the phone tree. And we already have the catering fully covered. We’d love to have you as a guest, though.”
Jo’s eyes water. She’s not usually this outwardly emotional which is how I know Megan fucked her up. “Really? I love weddings.”
She does.
I don’t remember her ever daydreaming about her future wedding but the girl loves love.
“Great!” Vivi says, so welcoming that it makes me love her more than I’ve already started to.
The two, plus Lexi, start walking through the small apartment. Vivi shows her where everything is, always saying “your bedroom” or “for your morning coffee.” She’s thrilled to move in with her fiancé, but she’s also making it Jo’s home in her wake.
Calypso walks further into the space and sets one of Jo’s bags on the couch.
Placing the suitcase and duffel bag next to it, I stare down at her.
She still hasn’t told me what set her on edge, but she hasn’t avoided my eye since this afternoon.
I can’t help myself. “Areyouokay with this?”
She crinkles her brows, annoyance growing. “As long as Vivi is, why would I mind?”
“That’s not an answer.” I slip my hands into my pockets and sway toward her.
Crossing her arms, she pops her hip and rolls her eyes. “The question was stupid.”
“Calypso,” I say quietly, affectionate but a little exasperated. “Jo is my responsibility, and I can figure something else out.”
Her expression closes off. “Do you not want my help?” Before I can answer, she continues, “Isn’t that what this whole thing is about, helping each other?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, honey. I always want your help.” Her cold glare doesn’t thaw. “But I’m not trying to invade your whole life.”
She shrugs, dismissing my concerns for her. “Vivi’s lease ends in December.”
The same month as the recital, when I’ll be done with the project and we’ll be done with each other.
For the first time, her apathy is beginning to grate on me. I don’t want there to be a timeline on our relationship—real or fake—and I hate the reminder of it. More than anything, it’s the fact that she’s lying to herself that pisses me off. She’s certain I’m going to grow tired of her, or show my true colors as if I’ve been lying to her, that she’ll push me out the door to avoid the pain.
She’s wrong.
The day is starting to weigh on me, and some of my frustration slips through.
