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Even if you push me to say it I won’t tell you no.
What the fuck had I done?
NINETEEN
“You’ll call me?” Di asked.
She was standing next to her luggage piled up near the door. Brad and Tony stood close, both holding black duffels with her winnings.
“I promise, and you have my number; call me anytime.”
Diana hugged me again. This one tighter than the first.
“Be happy, Di,” I whispered.
“You, too, Atlee, and thanks again…for everything. You were right, Luci’s thrilled we’re calling it quits.”
I knew she would be. Luci was the best kind of friend to have. All she wanted was Diana happy.
I gave her a squeeze and stepped back. There was a knock on the front door. Brad handed Tony his duffel and answered.
Cliff, the bellman, stepped in, wheeling a cart behind him.
“Is this everything, Miss Di?” he asked.
“Yes, Cliff. Thanks.”
There was another round of see-you-laters while Cliff loaded the cart. Luci had appeared from doing her final walkthrough of the villa.
She, too, pulled me for a tight embrace.
“Thank you for talking to her,” she quietly told me. “And for always taking care of her.”
“What? I didn’t hook you up, too?” I teased.
Luci’s face became serious.
“You know I’m not talking about the perks. She gets to be Di around you and that’s worth more than any massage, facial, show, or bottle service. Means the world, Atlee.”
Damn.
I was going to miss Luci and Diana.
“You know,” she continued. “Perhaps it’s time for you to follow your advice and get out of this place before it sucks you dry.”
That hit close to the bone.
Visions of beautiful Coeur d’Alene filled my mind.
The lake. The trees. The fresh air. My grandmother. Good, kind people.
“Maybe one day.”
“Make that sooner rather than later. You’re too good for this place.”
Unlike when my father made similar remarks, Luci’s comment made me feel good.
“Thanks, Luce.”
