“No?” He closes the space between us, eyebrows raising. A seriousness I’ve never seen on his face turns it stone. I dip my head, not wanting to see the reprimand in his eyes. A finger curls under my chin, lifting so I have no choice but to meet his gaze. “Now, baby girl. All of it.”
My chin wobbles as tears burn the back of my eyes. I shake my head.
“You either have some sort of phobia about mail, or it’s the contents you’re afraid of.”
I swallow hard.
Heaven knows what’s in the letter. After the last one, I can’t bear to open another. Will it be a death bell tolling for Calthis time? I’m not naive enough to think T wouldn’t orchestrate another accident. How many ways can a lighthouse keeper die?
Oh god.
I slap a shaking hand over my mouth.
“I need some space,” I say, pushing past him.
“Evie,” he growls.
Walking back inside, I make a beeline for the bathroom in Iris’s little apartment behind the café. Running the cold water, I splash it over my face. The second it hits my skin, cold and wet, I remember my makeup.
Shit.
I dry off the best I can with the hand towel, trying not to ruin my mascara. Maybe I should leave early? Finish the last of my novel back at my apartment. Get as far away from Cal as I can. I can’t be here if T is this close to us.
A soft knock on the door pulls me from the dark thoughts.
“Evie?” Iris’s voice is worried.
Sorrow for a life I’ve lost before it even began sinks, burning into my chest. I wish I could stay. I wish Cal wanted me to. I wish Iris and Em were part of my world.
Oh god, Allie. I’m the worst friend; we haven’t talked in weeks.
“Be out in a sec.”
“Okay, dinner is ready.”
“Thank you,” I say, too quiet, as my forehead hits the door. I close my eyes. Three more weeks, and I go home. Cal will be safe, tucked away on his island. Pushing through the door, I wander into the dining area. Cal and Iris sit at the table with the papers pushed to one end. A large casserole dish sits in the center, and three bowls sit at our places, steaming. The fragrant scent of savory and herbs reaches me.
“Eat. You’ll feel better. Then we’ll go see some fireworks, hey?” Iris squeezes my hand.
“Sure.” I look to Cal. He sits slouched to one side, the fork in his hands flipping through his fingers. As if he’s not happy with his sister’s quiet ways.
“This looks wonderful, thank you.” I give Iris a small smile. It’s straining my face, but it’s genuine.
“Don’t mention it. Let’s eat.”
We eat while the siblings talk numbers. By the time I finish my bowl, Cal’s frown has dropped lower and lower. It’s not looking good. The numbers don’t add up. The only solution would be to receive funding from the Restoration Society who, by the sound of it, are not interested in outdated relics like Fire Island Lighthouse. Or to come up with around twenty grand in repairs and upgrades.
That island, that lighthouse, is Cal’s whole life.
My heart breaks for him.
As echoes of laughter and music drift in from down the street, Iris stands and sweeps up the empty bowls. “Misery aside, let’s go have some fun, even if it’s just for tonight.”
Cal grumbles something I can’t make out.
“Sounds like a plan.” I stand and glance behind me to watch Iris disappear into the back before I dot a kiss to Cal’s cheek and whisper, “Take me somewhere good.”
He smiles. It’s the first slip of light I’ve seen on his face since the letter appeared on the table earlier. Iris returns with her jacket and something blue draped over one hand.
