Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey Page 0,104

let you go, I’ll never know. Truly, you’re all I can think about.”

And just like that, happily ever after, the sequel, was under way.

diana: an institution

I didn’t know if Gray was trying to punish me or help me, but it was very clear that she was avoiding the guesthouse. I’d seen her pull in and out of the driveway three or four different times, and she hadn’t come to check on me once. Oh, I’d get her back for this.

“This one?” Trey asked, holding up a Sanitary Fish Market T-shirt.

I could feel my mouth gaping. “Now, you listen here. The Sanitary is an institution.”

He dropped the T-shirt into a garbage bag. “It has cigarette holes in it.”

“Well, yeah. I had to put my cigarette out on Larry one night when—”

“No. Done,” Trey said. “Do you hear yourself? These aren’t happy memories to cherish. We should burn these things in a fire so no other unsuspecting person gets harmed by their negative energy.”

I crossed my arms and sat down on the couch across from the closet, pouting. To his credit, Trey had hung in there with me for fourteen T-shirts so far. He’d only let me keep the last one, and that was because I convinced him that the girls and me had actually gone to a Wilson Phillips concert and that had nothing to do with some guy.

Trey turned to me. “Diana, I don’t think I can,” then he sang: “?‘hold on for one more day.’?”

We both laughed, but then he got serious. “There’s no room for your horrible past in your fabulous new future.”

Then he pulled out a J-B Weld T-shirt, and I almost forgot I was pregnant. But I remembered in the nick of time and didn’t throw myself on it. Instead, I grabbed one sleeve and Trey was holding the other. “I won’t let this one go!” I shouted.

“Oh, yes you will,” he groaned.

We looked like we were playing some kind of tug-of-war, Trey trying to get the shirt in the bag and me trying to save it.

Frank’s voice calling, “What in the world is going on here?” broke us out of our feud. We both dropped the shirt like it was on fire and said, “Nothing!” right at the same time.

Frank walked over and picked up the shirt. “Man, I haven’t seen this in forever.”

Trey ran his hand through his hair. “Fine. That one you can keep.”

I smiled victoriously.

“Trey is helping me pack,” I said.

“Is he?” Frank asked.

I glared at Trey, and he glared right back at me. Frank picked up a box and turned around, and Trey whispered, “You’ll thank me one day, crazy lady.”

Trey picked up another box as Gray finally made her appearance at the top of the stairs; he scooted by her, saying, “She’s all yours. I’m exhausted.”

Gray laughed and sat down beside me. “So, it’s really happening, huh?”

I nodded. “Gray, I can’t tell you what these last few months—”

She put her hand up. “It’s too much for me today, Di. I can’t handle it.”

“In that case, can I ask you something?”

She nodded.

“Well, Kevin is almost finished with the construction on the Barnacle.” That was what we had decided to name my new restaurant, because it sort of looked like it was growing on the dock.

“Di! Why didn’t you tell me? That’s amazing.” She looked genuinely thrilled.

“I’m good on everything up until now, but I need just a few thousand dollars to finish with the kitchen outfit and permitting and all that.”

“Anything you need, Di.”

It had taken a lot for me to ask her, but I just knew that Gray would support me. “Well, five thousand would really put me where I need to be.”

“I’ll write you a check right now.”

“No!” I interjected before she could move. “You don’t understand. I’m asking you for a loan. I want to write it up with a schedule for interest and payments and all of that.”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I owe you so much, D. I wouldn’t be here without you. Let this be my wedding gift to you.”

She tried to stand up, and I put my hand on her arm to stop her. I looked her in the eye and said, “Please, Gray. I need one thing in the world that is all my own, that no one can ever take away from me. I wouldn’t let Frank give me the money, and I won’t let you do it either. If you won’t do this my way, then I’ll have to figure