I spent the next morning delivering beans for my dad. After that, I went to the Grand first in an effort to avoid the dad-to-be, who was soon to be checking in, and then ran by the Ritz and stopped at a few restaurants.
I always spent a few minutes talking to the manager, asking how they liked certain blends, what other types of beverage products they were using, and if they had any constructive feedback. I’d been hearing a lot about flavored beans, and I knew my dad wasn’t going to go for it, so I’d started researching syrups.
I hadn’t brought up the idea to my dad because I wanted to have a plan before I decided to quit waitressing.
A small spark had formed inside me for a branded line of syrups called Island Girl Flavors. It was a pipe dream, but I had to think of a life where I didn’t wait tables and could afford to keep my children fed. The syrups could be added to coffees, creamers, or espresso drinks. I had some experience with making simple sugar, and I was studying how to add flavor correctly. I also knew I could ask Rylan or Teddi to help me with some mixology.
The problem was capital. I didn’t have any.
I was so deep in thought about a special coconut syrup that I didn’t notice who was standing in Island Coffee when I blew through the door.
“Hi, baby,” my dad said, forcing me to look up. “Adam’s brother is here.” My dad smiled, like he’d suddenly fallen in love with Cal.
“I–I see that.”
“He wants to get in on the expansion with Adam. Thinks we can export to the States and other islands. Mom-and-pop businesses are popular.”
I cocked an eyebrow at Cal. “Is that so?”
He smirked. “Sure is. I could get it a placement on Real Housewives.”
Waving my hand in the air, I said, “I’ve had enough of this silliness. Seriously. Enough.”
Heading straight to the back, I went to the fridge and took out a Coke. Holding the glass bottle to my forehead, I breathed in and out, counting to five with every inhale and exhale. Dad followed me, frowning.
“Don’t be rude,” my dad said low. “They’re trying to help. The Stern brothers are the answer to having something of your own.”
If he only knew.
I didn’t have a chance to answer because Cal also appeared in the back too, saying he was going to head out.
“Do you have a car here?” he asked me, and I nodded. “Any chance you could give me a ride to the Grand? Jack had to do an airport run.”
Frowning, I said, “You could have rented a car,” but when my dad pointedly cleared his throat at my rudeness, I quickly changed my tune. “No problem. Let’s go.”
Between being scolded by my father and Cal bossing me around, I felt like my cheeks were on fire. After downing my Coke, I tossed the bottle in a recycling bin before walking toward the door. Once we were outside, I wished my hair wasn’t in a bun but down to shield my face and hide my emotions.
“Where are you parked?” Cal asked like we were a couple out on a jaunt.
“Around the corner. Come on. I have to get Weez from school, and then I work at Camila’s tonight. My mom is watching her.”
“Shell, quit that shitty job. I’ll pay the difference.”
I shook my head just as we arrived at my little car. “I know it’s not a fancy Jeep like you’re used to. Hope this will do,” I said snidely, finding myself in a fighting mood.
Ignoring me, Cal walked toward the driver’s door. “I’ll drive.”
“What?”
“I said I’ll drive. Have to keep up with my skills. I’m going to be here often.”
“Hope you survive being behind the wheel of a jalopy,” I muttered as I slapped the keys in his waiting hand.
“Hush, Shell,” he said, folding himself in the driver’s side.
I slid into the passenger seat and refused to look at him. Cal’s profile was handsome enough, and being near him did things to my libido. I told myself it was the pregnancy hormones.
As Cal steered us toward the Grand, he then dove right in. “Did you call the doc?”
“It doesn’t work that way. I have another appointment in a few weeks. I can’t just call and demand to be seen. It costs money.”
“Good, then I’ll pay like Adam did.”
“What?” I whipped my head toward him.
“Shit,” Cal mumbled, not meeting my eyes for a second. Sighing, he gave in and spilled it. “Okay, so Rylan’s pregnant. It’s very early, so Adam paid to hear the heartbeat, and then he refused to leave for London until they heard it again. They haven’t told anyone.”
Both thrilled for them and furious at Rylan for keeping the secret from me, I blew out a breath. “That’s why he was so cagey . . . the little shits.”
“I don’t know what you’re going on about, but I guess it doesn’t matter. I want to hear our baby, and then I want to take you to dinner in front of everyone and let it be known you’re with me.”
My eyes wide and my breath caught in my throat, I had to remind myself not to fall for his spiel. They were just words.
“Are you with me?” I asked quietly.
Cal gave me a serious glance. “I’m here.”
The next morning, Cal picked me up himself in a Jeep. Adam’s, he said as he walked me to the passenger side. The night before, he’d sat at Camila’s all night keeping an eye on me as I worked, ordering food and asking that I join him.
The whole thing was absurd. He’d gone way over the top in an effort to self-correct. I didn’t have to be a genius to understand.
“Do you know the address? I can put it in the GPS,” Cal said, interrupting my walk down last night’s memory lane.
“I’ll just direct you.”
This way, our ride was filled with a lot of make a right, go around the roundabout, take the second exit, and right up there instead of false promises. I knew Cal was going to make some kind of declaration, and all of a sudden, I didn’t want that.
Parked in the small lot next to the hospital building, Cal turned. “I’m trying, Shell. This is new to me. A shock.”
I nodded and got out of the car.
He rounded the front to catch up with me, and we went inside. The nurse hadn’t understood when I called and asked for an ultrasound because I’d just been in for one. She kept asking if there was a problem. When I’d said we would self-pay for another, she’d immediately booked it and said to bring a check or credit card.
“Welcome back, Mrs. Light. Glad we could accommodate you,” the nurse said when registering me.
While we waited, I explained to Cal. “I’m about nine or ten weeks along. In a few weeks, they’ll be able to hear the heartbeat through the belly, but last week when I was here, they used a vaginal wand. I don’t want you to be alarmed.”
He looked pale but nodded.
“You can look away and just listen.”
This time he shook his head.
“Mrs. Light?” a technician called out in the waiting room.
“Are you going to get rid of his last name?” Cal whispered as we walked through the door.
“I don’t know. It’s Weezie’s name too.”
He nodded then and looked straight ahead.
In the exam room, seated next to my head, Cal looked like he might faint. A green hue had colored his skin. His fist was clenched at his side, and I made a note to have the birth without him present.
“There it is. There’s your baby’s heartbeat. Listen to it, strong and fast,” the tech said with a smile.
I watched Cal’s profile and saw what I thought was a smile, his eye crinkling in the corner.
“Is that normal?” he asked. “It’s so fast.”
“It is, Mr. Light.”
“That’s not my name.” Cal obviously tried to soften his clipped tone, but it didn’t help.
The technician looked up, frowning. “Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed . . .”
“Stern. Caleb Stern. Thank you for explaining. Can we hear a bit longer?”
She nodded. After a minute or so, I was starting to feel uncomfortable lying there with a vaginal wand stuck up my hoo-ha.
“I’m finished,” I finally said.
The technician removed the wand and then slipped out of the room without saying anything, probably because of Cal’s dressing-down.
“Would you mind stepping out so I can clean up and get dressed?” I asked him.
Cal nodded, unusually quiet. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”
I took my time, and it wasn’t until I’d made it back to the waiting room to join Cal that I realized he’d made a huge effort. This wasn’t something he had to do, not something he’d ever imagined doing, and yet he’d done it.
“Thank you,” he said to me. “Our baby sounds like he’s a fighter.”
“He?”
“That’s what I think.”
I smiled and let it go.
Outside, Cal pulled me into his side, walking his arm around me. “You ever been to New York?”
“No. I’ve only been to Miami and Orlando.”
“You should come visit. If you can,” he said as we approached the passenger door. “But first, dinner tonight.”
“You don’t have to,” I told him as he slid in.
“Eye of the Sea, seven o’clock. Adam said he’s telling Rylan later today. Sorry, but he can’t wait, and promised they would watch Weezie if you needed.”
He sped out of the lot, the top down. Wind whipped around us, and shorter strands of my hair came loose from my bun.
“Whoa, Cal, you can’t arrange for childcare.”
“Shell, Adam’s going to be your family,” he said, and I gasped.
Glancing at the look on my face, he laughed out loud. “I’m not proposing.”
I felt like a fool. Of course he wasn’t proposing.
“What I meant was you’re giving birth to his nephew.”
“Or niece,” I shouted over the wind.
“Or niece. So, Adam is family. He and Rylan can watch Weezie.”
“My mom has her bridge game, so that would actually be good,” I said, correcting my blunder.
I had to get along with Cal, I reminded myself. With Ricky was out of the picture, I needed support. However much Cal wanted to give.
“Good, I’ll send Jack for you, and Adam can pick up Weez. This keeps things between us quiet from the little one until you break the news. Soon.”
The sky was Caribbean blue, the air salty, as we drove along Seven Mile Beach. I never thought I’d be so stressed in the most beautiful place on the planet.
“Bossy, much?” I asked, and Cal snorted.
“Get used to it.”
I clicked on the radio in an effort to ignore his charming orders. No one had ever cared for me a day in my life when I was married to Ricky. While I knew this wasn’t marriage or close to it, it was the best I was going to have in my current situation.