Chapter 8 Devon #2
A wistful look appeared in his dark eyes.
“There’s so much I’ve always wanted to do but could never afford, like restoring the art deco details on the facade, and upgrading to a reliable deep fryer that doesn’t shut itself off every twenty minutes, and replacing the worn-out linoleum flooring in the dining room.
I’ve had a wish list in the back of my mind for years.
But are you sure you don’t want any say in how the money’s spent? ”
“My only hope would be that you try to keep some of its vintage charm,” I said. “But if you decide to gut it and modernize it, that’s your call.”
“I’d never do that. I’m all about preserving as much of the diner’s history as possible.”
“See? We’re totally on the same page. And that’s the one and only thing I’ll ever say about how you use that money.”
He seemed dazed. “This feels like a dream. I can’t believe it’s really happening.”
“What’s really happening?” We both turned toward the sound of Kit’s sleepy voice in the doorway.
“Devon wants to invest in the diner,” Armando explained. “It’s a huge amount, enough to pay off my loans, fix the place up, and hire some more staff.”
Kit’s forehead creased with concern as he asked me, “Can we talk in private for a minute?”
“Of course.”
We cut through the living room to the narrow balcony, which was barely big enough to hold two plastic chairs.
As soon as he shut the sliding glass door behind us, Kit took both my hands in his.
“I’m going to say this as gently as I can,” he began, as he looked up at me.
“You’re not going to die, Devon. Curses aren’t real.
Neither are psychics. It’s incredibly sweet of you to want to help my dad, but you’re going to need that money. You can’t give it all away.”
“I was never going to use the trust fund for myself, but just so you know, I’m not wiping it out with this investment. Not even close.” I didn’t mention the fact that I was leaving the remainder to him, because I was pretty sure he’d try to talk me out of it.
“Okay, that’s good. But why do you want to do this?”
“Three reasons. First, it’ll take a lot of the pressure off your dad, not just financially.
He can’t keep working fourteen-hour days, seven days a week, and now he’ll be able to hire some help.
Second, I get to play a part in restoring a really cool building with a long history, someplace that’s important to its community.
And third, I’m hoping this will make you happy. ”
A tear tumbled down Kit’s cheek. He took my face between his hands and kissed me before saying, “You’re such a good man, Devon. Thank you for wanting to help, but you really might end up needing that money.”
“I won’t.”
“Just listen for a minute. When your stepdad gave you that trust fund, he probably intended it to last a lifetime. What if you’re wrong about the curse, and you live to be a hundred?
You’ve been living off your savings these past three years, but they’re going to run out at some point. What happens then?”
“Then I’d have to get a job, like everyone else.
I was never meant to live the life of a trust fund kid anyway.
” He looked like he wanted to offer a rebuttal, so I tried a different angle.
“If you’re right that the curse is BS and I’m going to live a long life, then this is the perfect thing to do with my money.
I’m investing and becoming a partner in a small business that I truly believe in. ”
He caressed my cheek and said softly, “But you don’t actually believe you’re going into business with my dad, because you don’t think you have much longer to live.
What you’re doing is giving away a boatload of cash under the guise of making an investment.
It’s the kindest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do, but I’m worried you’ll regret it. ”
“I won’t, not even if I live to be a hundred.” Which wasn’t going to happen anyway.
“Did you tell my dad you believe you’re cursed? I never brought it up.”
“I hadn’t brought it up, either. Since it makes me sound like a nut, it’s probably best not to mention it.”
That wasn’t my real concern. I didn’t want Armando to realize this was a gift, not an investment. He was a proud man. While he might say yes to taking on a business partner, he’d probably turn down my offer if he thought it sounded like charity.
Kit leaned forward, so his face was buried in my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him, and after a few moments he asked, “Are you absolutely sure about this?”
“I’m positive. I want to invest in your family business.
I want your dad to succeed, I want both of you to be happy, and I want to bring that wonderful, historic diner back to its former glory.
Not that there’s anything wrong with it now.
I think it’s an absolute gem. But even the most fabulous grande dame deserves a new frock now and then. ”
He grinned at that and leaned back so he could look at me. “What would you have done with your trust fund if you’d never met me?”
“Besides the money earmarked for the scholarship program, I was going to let it revert back to my stepdad, since it was his in the first place. But he wanted me to use it, so I think he’ll be much happier about this.”
“I’ve always wondered, how did he get rich from something like vinyl siding?”
“By being the biggest manufacturer and distributor in the US, and by having contracts with several huge residential builders and commercial clients. On top of that, he also made some incredibly smart investments over the years, like buying certain tech stocks before they skyrocketed.”
Kit muttered, “That would do it.”
I gently rubbed his back and asked, “So, are you willing to sign off on the diner’s next chapter?”
“If you’re absolutely positive that this is what you want to do with your money…”
“I am.”
He smiled at me. “Okay, then. Let’s go tell my dad he can start shopping for a new deep fryer. He’ll be so happy.”
That night, as we curled up together in his narrow bed, I asked Kit, “Are you sure you’re ready to get back on the road tomorrow? We could stay longer if you wanted to.”
“We should go. My dad’s really busy, but I’ll come back soon.” After a moment, he added softly, “I wish I hadn’t stayed away as long as I did.”
“I know it was tough to afford the trip down here, but what else do you think kept you away? Was it bad memories of your ex and that relationship?”
He thought about it before saying, “In part. But I think my real worry was that I’d become that person again.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before I moved away, I had no self-confidence. I was painfully shy and too timid to speak up for myself. I guess part of me was worried I’d fall back into my old patterns if I came back here.”
“How do you feel now?”
Kit looked up at me as a little smile played around his lips.
“I hadn’t realized how much I’d changed and grown over the last four years.
There was no reason to worry about backsliding, because I’m so much stronger now.
I’m more confident, and I’m not afraid of standing my ground.
It feels good to see how far I’ve come.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty proud of myself.”
He fell asleep a few minutes later. I pulled the blanket up to his shoulder and exhaled slowly as I rested my cheek against his hair.
When had I started falling head over heels for Kit?
Not that it was any wonder. He was spectacular, amazingly kind and talented and beautiful. My god was he beautiful.
I was touched by the way he’d trusted me with this road trip, and with all my random ideas. He managed to surprise me—and probably himself—like when he’d stripped down and jumped into the ocean with me.
And he made me happy. I felt good when I was around him. He helped me forget about the dark clouds, and the doom and gloom.
There was something else, too. It occurred to me that my bucket list had started off big and life-changing, but the stuff I’d kept adding to keep it going felt frivolous.
Now I’d shifted my focus from my list to his—the road trip, taking care of his dad, launching his career, that was all Kit’s bucket list stuff, and helping him gave me a sense of purpose. I was grateful for that.
All in all, it was no surprise I was falling hard for him.
But I had no idea what I was supposed to do about it.