Page 129 of Free to Fall

Corinna declares, “I’m on cake duty.”

Phil glares at her. “Of course you are.”

Holly doesn’t bother to reply. From the safety of her husband’s arms, she’s already documenting our family, taking the pictures that have made her a household name.

Mama’s on the phone. “Jess? It’s Cass. We’re descending tomorrow night. Do you want to close down, and we’ll pay you to rent Tide Pool out?” There’s a pause before Mama stresses, “All of us.” Pause. “Right. That’s what I thought.” She asks Jake, “Live music?”

His fingers are typing. “Yep. Absolutely.”

“Yes, Jess. We’ll need the stage. Thanks. I’ll send you the deposit in a few minutes.” Then Mama chuckles. “No, some things never change.” My mother leans back into my father’s arms before giving Phil a thumbs up.

I open my mouth to indicate I don’t need a back to work party. Frankly, I’m not certain I’m up to something this grand when Kalie leans forward and tips a wine bottle in my direction as if it’s a pointer. “You have to remember something, Laura.”

“What’s that?”

Grace wraps her arm around my waist and hugs me tightly. “They’re not just celebrating you going back to work. They’re celebrating the fact you’re well enough to do so.”

I twist and stare at my parents. My mother is animated in a way I haven’t seen her since before Olivia Tiberi took me as a hostage. As for my father, his face is still lined with guilt, grief. I lift my wineglass in his direction and mouth, “I love you.”

His features soften. He mouths back, “I loved you first” before he salutes me with his whisky glass.

Twisting to face my cousins, I throw the rest of my glass back. Then I demand, “Who else can we invite?”

Together we whip out our phones. I send a text to Alice, Paige, and Austyn—all of whom confirm yes, they’re in. Kalie invites any and all members of the Amaryllis Events staff who isn’t scheduled to work tomorrow. Grace? She hesitates before placing her phone face down.

I know who she was going to text but I’m certain Uncle Brendan will take care of it. Now, I wonder if he’ll have the guts to show up and face his biggest regret—losing my cousin’s adoration.

By the time we leave, I’m exhausted and ready to crawl in between my sheets to try to sleep. After all, it’s exhausting trying to hold my facade of happiness when the real person I want to invite is the absolute last person I want there.

From the Journal of Dr. Laura Lockwood

I’m not certain I can handle what my family’s doing. They want to celebrate my return to work. I’m almost one hundred percent positive this isn’t a good idea. But the temptation to smile, to laugh, for the first time since losing you and Bailey, is appealing.

Chapter

Seventy-One

The message I received earlier from my bosses had me rushing to find a last-minute sitter. Apparently there is some kind of Amaryllis event occurring at Tide Pool in Collyer that every member of their family—extended and otherwise—is planning on attending.

Caleb:

I’m not saying she’s going to talk with you.

Keene:

If she does, I’ll be impressed.

Caleb:

$50?

Keene:

You’re on.

Liam:

You’re both assholes. But I appreciate the intel.

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