“Calypso,” she says, exasperated. It reminds me of how I would talk to Vivi. It prickles at me, making me uncomfortable from how normal it is coming from her. “He’d let you, you know?”
Before I have to say anything, a man in a captain’s hat walks down the ramp toward us. I turn toward Mia with wide eyes, but she’s biting back another round of laughter.
She waves brightly, encouraging him to come closer. “Hey, Uncle! Didn’t think I’d see you until Christmas.”
He gives her a side hug. “Me neither, but it’s a nice surprise—plus, I don’t get to captain the ship too often anymore.”
She makes a little more small talk with him before gesturing toward me. “This is Calypso. I’m sure you’ve heard about her.”
Paul chuckles and holds out a hand. “Sure have—Willa and Liam haven’t stopped mentioning you.” He winks. It reminds me of Tim and his harmless teasing that often ends up feeling more like a compliment. “Nice to officially meet you.”
A warm, foreign gooeyness invades my system at the confirmation that Liam talks about me—often.
I slip my hand in his and shake it. “You too. And thank you for this.” I gesture at the big ass boat behind him. “My sister and her fiancé are really excited.”
“Oh,” he says easily. “I’ve never been able to say no to Jo.”
Snickering, I admit, “That’s what I’ve heard.”
He seems genuinely happy that Jo knows she’s spoiled.
Paul’s easy nature reminds me of his stepson. Liam has always said he’s closest to Stanley and that his uncle has been a huge part of his life, despite living in Amada Beach. Stanley’s always been a bit of a hard-ass. He’s friendly, but he’s not a man of many words and relies on his wife to ease a situation—the opposite of Paul.
Liam might not realize how much the man in front of me has influenced him.
Speaking of the devil, a hand lands on the small of my back and the other reaches forward to greet Paul in one of those handshake/hug combos guys do.
“Hey, bud,” Paul says with affection. “The crew said you were helping. Thanks—but enjoy the weekend.”
Liam shrugs. “It’s a habit.” Looking at me, he says, “Paul let me work as a deckhand sometimes. Only for short trips.”
Paul adds, “Regretted it the moment he stole that man’s sailboat.”
“Stoleis a little dramatic,” Liam says, making all of us laugh. You’d think this was the story that got brought up the most, but surprisingly, it’s the one of him and Lucas peeing in Miss Willow’s flowers. “We took it for a ride and planned to return it.”
“You know,” I say, “I never hear anyone give Lucas a hard time about this.”
“Isn’t that funny?” Liam says wryly, having already realized this.
Paul shakes his head in amusement. “He wasn’t the one driving it.”
Liam opens his mouth but Mia steps forward and cuts him off. “You could debate the details all day. Let’s go, Rory Gilmore, before another boat goes missing.”
He looks confused for a second before the reference hits and he’s chuckling along with us. Paul looks confused and Mia tries to explain it.
Wrapping an arm around Liam’s waist, we follow behind them.
I’m calmer now, weightless even. This experience has been the complete opposite of what it was like meeting the Prescotts; I’d even be willing to meet Liam’s mom if he asked right now.
Chapter Thirty
Liam
After a day exploring Newport, Calypso and I are lying on the sundeck after everyone has gone to bed.
She’s sprawled on my chest as we watch the waning crescent moon glide across the night sky and listen to the lapping waves. My hands are on her hips but I’m careful not to bump her new tattoo.
Smiling to myself, I think about the little heart-shaped vintage cake she got on the side of her ass. I have a new scorpion on my left thigh, above the ring of fire.
