It goes unsaid; I’m unsure if Bonnie is comfortable with that, but I’ll tell Calypso regardless. Seeming to understand, Calypso bobs her head once and turns back inside. My gaze stays on her as she walks through the living room and turns toward the bathroom, out of sight.
“Anyway, as I was saying,” Bonnie says and turns back toward me. “Calypso can have her secrets. I know how important those are to her.”
That’s true. Calypso isn’t open with a lot of the people in her life—mostly out of concern or responsibility rather than not wanting them involved. But everything that’s happened with Stefan has been her quiet, heavy burden for years.
I open my mouth before closing it a few times, looking far too much like a fish out of water. I don’t want to lie to Bonnie, but I willnotbetray Calypso’s trust either.
Holding her hand up to silence my attempts, Bonnie shakes her head lightly. “I just find it peculiar that myindependent, non-committal daughter has found herself in a brand new relationship at the same time her ex-husband is back in town. The fact that the town hates you and loves her also makes my suspicions rise. However, whatever is going on between you two is exactly that—betweenyou two.”
I nod in acknowledgement.
“Just take care of her, okay? Whether this is romantic, platonic, or even a business transaction; I don’t care. You’re adults and I’m choosing to trust both of you as such. However, I am asking you, as Calypso’s mother, to please be there for her.” She glances over her shoulder, catching sight of most of the group in the living room, not paying us any mind. “She’ll argue that she doesn’t need anyone, but it never hurts to have someone in our corner.”
Stunned by her discernment, I nod emphatically. “Yeah—yes. Of course. I like spending time with your daughter, but more than anything, I’m just trying to help.”
She gives me a soft, motherly smile. “And if she’s willing to let you, you have all of my support and gratitude.”
Calypso and I have never gotten into the finer details of her relationship with her mother, but I can sense that there’s strain sometimes and I wonder if it’s due to their similarities rather than differences. I know for a fact that if my mom had even an inkling that my relationship was fake, or thatsomethingwas going on in my life, she wouldn’t be able to hold back until I spilled everything to her.
It can be annoying at times, especially when I was younger. Now, we’re closer than ever and I often need her pestering to keep her as involved in my life as she wants to be. Calypso is different, though. The more you push her, the more likely she is to run away—to be washed away by the ocean and never found again.
Clearly, Bonnie understands that. Almost everyone in Calypso’s life seems to, but it’s deeper with her mom.
“I can promise you, Bonnie, that I won’t let anything happen to Calypso.” She lifts one eyebrow, still uncertain, so I continue, “Calypso is important to me. Not because of what she does for me but because of whosheis. I know I’m lucky to see past her walls, so I won’t take that for granted.I’matherdisposal.”
She tilts her head and squints at me. “And that’s enough for you?”
With a boyish grin, I admit, “For now, it is. ”
A smile tugs at her lips and she wags a finger in my direction. “I knew you were more than what those old bats around town like to say.”
I bark out a surprised laugh. Not only at her acceptance of me but her nickname for Miss Willow, Miss Polly, and the other elderly women. It’s exactly what Calypso calls them, but I haven’t heard anyone else in her family use it.
Picking up the rag, I finish my task while Bonnie stays outside with me. The rest of the conversation is lighter. We talk about the construction company and my family, then she tells me about her job in administration for the local hospice. It’s a newer gig, something she picked up a couple of years ago when she became restless in her own home. Calypso never mentioned that her mom had a job, and I assumed their dad had left Bonnie with enough money that she didn’t need to work. I know I’d go crazy after a week, and that’s partly why I never get on Stanley about visiting job sites.
After a few minutes, we make our way inside with the rest of the group. The night doesn’t linger on much longer, but none of us are in a rush to head home.
I think to myself, not for the first time,I could get used to this.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Calypso
Liam opens the door for me and I walk in, throwing my keys on the side table and heading for the kitchen.
It’s been a long month.
The entire way, I feel Liam’s presence close behind me.
On the car ride home, Liam told me about his conversation with my mother. It was more or less what I expected, other than her guessing that somethingelseis going on between us. In hindsight, I shouldn’t be surprised by that.
That’s the least of my problems tonight, though.
I stop in front of the drink cabinet and turn toward him with crossed arms. At this hour, I don’t want alcohol, even if I don’t have to go into the bakery until late tomorrow morning. I think I just wanted some space from him.
He’s worming his way ineverywhere.
I know he said he would do what he could to ease that. He’d find another place for Jo, or he’d stay with his cousin. I’m sure if I told him I didn’t want to do this anymore, he’d end it. It probably wouldn’t risk the contract with Pippa at this point, but who fucking knows.
