“What’s wrong with Beck?” Simon asks her. “Honestly, give me a real answer.” I’m about to suggest that he shouldn’t argue with her, but I’m curious about this answer myself. How far into the truth is she willing to go? Because I know for a fact, neither of us has told a single soul about our recent nuptials.
I lean back in my seat, peeking at Grey’s game in front of him while I pretend not to be overly curious about the conversation about to take place.
The blonde bombshell who is my wife steps outside. I take a quick glance at her appearance and try not to chuckle. Yeah, she looks good in professional attire with a skirt that hugs her curves and a blouse that cuts just low enough to tease yet isn’t indecent. But the look isn’t her. Not even close. Calla is too casual for whatever job she’s apparently working at.
“He… I… we…”
“He has a room, Calla. A whole house with space to share.”
The pleading in Simon’s voice gets to me. I’m the softie in the group; there is no doubt about it. I can’t leave the man hanging. He needs backup and fuck it. If anything, I’m a phenomenal friend.
“I just bought a new house, Calla. The basement is a walkout, so you don’t even have to see me if you don’t want to. The kitchen and laundry are all we would share, and even then, I’m willing to make a schedule, so we don’t run into each other.”
She stares at me with a blank expression. “Wow, that soundssoinviting.”
I almost—almosttoss my hands up again.
This is a lose-lose situation.
But hell, I tried.
“Alright, well, I should be going. You know where I live if you change your mind.”
“Calla, take the offer,” Simon says. “I don’t want this hiccup to be how you start things off in Wind Valley. The new job was good today, yeah?”
Oh, smooth change in subject. Get her onto something she’s more comfortable talking about. Damn he’s good.
She nods but doesn’t say anything.
“This is only temporary,” Simon says, watching Grey as he heads into the house.
I don’t really care about her job, but on instinct, I can’t help myself. “Where are you working?”
She glares at me. “None of your business.”
Simon chuckles. “Oh no, I know that tone. Do you hate it already?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Should we make a bet on if you can keep this one longer than a month?”
He bumps elbows with her, and she smiles, as if this is a simple brother and sister teasing act.
Again, I just can’t help myself. “No one likes to keep you around that long, huh? Makes sense.”
She mock laughs at me and then flips me the bird.
“With as feisty as she can be, you’d think that, but alas, my sister is a free spirit who can’t be bothered to make a commitment.”
“I make commitments,” Calla argues.
“Name one,” Simon argues back.
“I…”
He gives her about thirty seconds. “Exactly, you don’t stick to anything. Ever. You can’t help it. You don’t know how to pick one thing and stick to it.”
“I can” is the only rebuttal she has.
