As he’s done for me in the past, I change the subject. “I still can’t believe that Cameron and Astrid used to date each other.”
And . . . maybe that wasn’t the topic to choose, because Callie practically snarls, “What I can’t believe is how they’re out there sitting on the couch next to each other. It’s gross.”
Will rolls his eyes and says flatly, “The bloody nerve, sitting on a couch together. Jesus. What’s this world coming to?”
Callie comes closer to where he’s standing by the stove. “You think this is a joke.”
He sets the wooden spoon in a cradle nearby. “Not at all. First of all, I don’t see what the big deal about two adults sitting on a couch together is. If you and I sat on a couch together, would that mean we were . . . shagging? That’s what you’re insinuating, isn’t it?”
For the first time in my presence, cool-as-a-cucumber Callie Lotus flushes bright red.
“Unless this is a Magical custom that I am yet unfamiliar with. Chloe?” I start when Will says my name. “Have you forgotten to fill me in on this? All these times we’ve ever sat together somewhere, were you secretly planning on us shagging? Because if that’s the case, I apologize for leaving you unfulfilled.”
It’s completely unattractive, but I let out a cross between a snort and a laugh.
“You know that’s not what I meant. It’s just . . .” She pushes stray hairs off her cheek. “They’re acting happy about all of this.”
The nod Will gives is facetious at best. “Ah. Now I see what you’re getting at. You’re upset that your esteemed, blueblood of a Magical mother is friends with a peasant like my non of a father.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but Callie’s even more red now. “That is not what I meant, either!” She grits her teeth. “Especially since my biological mother was a non, too.”
He dumps a small bowl of crushed garlic into the pan. “I know it seems like a antiquated, bizarre idea and all, but I like the idea of my father being happy. If catching up with your mum happens to make him so, then I don’t see what the problem is.”
This surprises Callie. “They used to date.” Her palm presses flat against the counter, propping her up. “I would have thought, of anybody here tonight, you would understand this.”
A small smile tugs at his lips.
She switches her attention to me. “Chloe. Explain this to him.”
Yeah, right. “No thank you,” I tell her sweetly.
“Let me explain something to you, then, Callie.” Will adds some rosemary and salt. “I am well aware of what this could mean, if, indeed, it means anything at all. See, I’ve done some prying of my own. Your mum and my dad were quite serious once upon a time for teenagers. After they broke up, my dad nursed a broken heart until dating my mum.” She opens her mouth, no doubt ready to counter his accusation, but he keeps going. “My parents had a fantastic marriage that seems pretty fucking impossible to replicate. They were happy. Not put-on-a-show for the neighbors happy, but genuinely happy. But she died, and he didn’t, and the last thing she’d ever want is for him to pass by a chance to experience happiness again, even if it’s with her former friend. Even if it’s merely as friends.”
“Callie, why is this so upsetting to you?” I ask, cutting a French loaf into thick wedges. “It’s not like they’re dating or anything. Plus, your mom admitted Cameron was her first love, too.”
“Exactly.” She swipes the butter dish away from me and begins to add chopped bits of garlic and seasoning. “This guy was her first love. When she told him she couldn’t have kids, he ditched her for her best friend. And now that his wife is dead—”
Will is flat-out glaring.
“Sorry. I don’t mean that as an insult or anything. Now that he’s single, it’s like she’s some kind of back up. Second choice. Mom should never be second choice to anyone.”
“That is most certainly not what happened,” Will snaps.
Kellan chooses this moment to walk into the kitchen, and I’m instantly a thousand times happier than I was just a minute before. He trades the bottle of wine in his hand for a piece of bread I’ve just sliced. “Whoa. Why all the hostility?”
As he pops a large piece in his mouth, I say tartly, “That’s for dinner. Also, they’re arguing over whether or not they ought to be pleased their parents are becoming reacquainted.”
“I don’t like how he can do that,” Will mutters, and then Callie surprises me by voicing her opinion that Emotionals are true pains in the ass, too.
Interesting.
Kellan’s amused, too. He eggs Callie on with, “Is that what we’re calling it? Reacquainting?”
Oh, boy. It’s Callie’s turn to glare.
“You can put on your bitch goggles all you like,” he informs her, serene as can be, “but just remember, I’m impervious to your vitriol.” To me, he says, “Personally, I think it’s great.”