Katwalk (30 page)

“And your new apartment is just a few blocks from where the studio will be?”

“Yep, practically right around the corner. My street is a lot like the one I was on in Gramercy, only less busy. And cuter. And cleaner. And a bit cheaper.”

“We all know how much you like clean, and what’s not to like about cute and cheap? I can’t wait to see your new place. It’ll be months before I can get away though. My schedule keeps getting busier and busier. It’s like the curse of the promotion, you know?”

Katrina smiled. “Actually, I
don’t
know. And I don’t
want
to know.”

“Touché.”

“If it’s going to be a few months before you can get out for a visit, maybe you can come for the grand opening. That would be perfect timing.
I’d
love to have you there.”

Deb sipped her wine. “Have you set a date yet?”

“If all goes according to schedule, it will be the fifteenth of May.”

“That’s not very far away. I mean it is, but it isn’t, you know?”

Katrina nodded. “And we have a
lot
to do. We got a great deal on the lease, but part of that was because we agreed to take the space as is. It needs a lot of work to turn it into what it already looks like in my head.”

“Sounds like this Justin knows his way around a tool shed. I’m sure he’ll turn it into something spectacular.”

Katrina hesitated for a moment before responding.

“What?” Deb asked.

Katrina waved a hand in front of her. “It’s nothing.”

Deb set down her wineglass. “You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Okay, maybe I am.”

Deb rolled her eyes. “Of course you are. You’re like the worst liar in the whole world, did you know that? Literally on the entire planet.”

“I’m well aware, thank you very much.”

“Then what is it?”

Katrina sighed. “Well, the place needs a lot of fixing up before we can open for business, but lately, well, lately
. . .
I’ve been wondering if Justin will be fixed by then too.”

“Fixed? You mean like neutered?”

Katrina laughed. “I just mean I wonder if he’ll be healed from how much his wife hurt him.”

Deb raised her eyebrows. “You mean . . .”

Katrina gave her a sheepish look. “Maybe.”

“Crush?”

Katrina nodded slowly.

“Ooh, do tell.”

“There’s not that much to tell, really. It’s just that I’ve been thinking about it lately, or
him
, I guess. I mean, thinking about him in a way I never did before. When we first met, I thought he was good-looking, but I saw his wedding ring like two seconds later, so I never thought of him that way, and we became friends.”

True friends. Justin is a true friend.

The waitress appeared with their food, and they both dug in.

“Since
when
have you been thinking about him that way?” Deb pointed a curly fry at Katrina.

“Since the day I first talked to him about the studio. I was so excited to share my idea with him, not just as a potential investor but also because his opinion means a lot to me. But when I got to the coffeehouse, his wife was there. I think
. . .
I think seeing him with her made me look at him in a different way. It’s like something suddenly kicked in.”

Deb nodded knowingly. “The sudden kick-in. I’ve been a victim of that.”

“And then later, as he and I were talking about the studio, I realized that I was as excited about the idea of working with
him
as I was about the idea itself, you know?”

Deb kept nodding. “Does
he
know?”

Katrina put a hand over her heart. “Oh gosh, I sure hope he doesn’t.
I
don’t even know. I mean, I
didn’t
even really know. I mean
. . .
you know what I mean. Ugh.
I’m
not even sure I know what I mean.” She slumped her shoulders.

“I
totally
know what you mean. And I think it’s spectacular.”

“You do?”

“I do. But tread carefully. That poor man’s been through the ringer, and men take even longer to get over a broken heart than women do, at least according to
Cosmo
.”

Katrina laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s taken me nearly thirty years to stand up to my parents, remember? And who am I kidding? I haven’t even done
that
yet. I’m hardly an Olympic sprinter in the game of life. Plus he may not even like me back. To be honest, I’m afraid that if I slip up and let on how I’m feeling, he’ll shoot me down, and then everything will be all awkward and terrible.”

“I don’t know the man, but h
e’d
be a fool not to like you back. And as for timing, I’m sure we can figure out a plan. And speaking of your parents, did I tell you to remind me to get the hell out of Dodge before that conversation goes down?”

Katrina held up her Sprite in a mock toast. “Here’s to getting out of Dodge. You have no idea how much I wish I could be in the car with you.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Two evenings later, having officially given notice on her apartment, Katrina pulled into the parking lot of Sundance. It was 6:58 p.m. She spotted her mother’s Lexus a few cars down and wondered what time her parents had arrived. She checked her face in the rearview mirror, adjusted the pink silk scarf around her neck, and applied some lip gloss before stepping out of the car.

You can do this.

You can tell them.

You’re different now.

As she walked toward the entrance, she mentally went over her prepared remarks, which sh
e’d
been rehearsing all afternoon. Sh
e’d
also practiced in the shower, while getting dressed and drying her hair, and during the entire drive to Palo Alto.

Opening observation about the restaurant and the evening in general.

Main statement and supporting points.

Closing expression of conviction and excitement for what lies ahead.

Just before she reached the entrance, she stopped, closed her eyes, and pressed her palms together, as if in one of Shana’s yoga classes.

She inhaled deeply.

You can do this.

She opened her eyes and opened the door.

Katrina gave her father’s name to the hostess. The young woman gestured toward her parents, who were having a glass of wine at the bar. Katrina glanced down at her coffee-colored sheath and walked toward them, forcing the corners of her mouth upward into an awkward smile.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.”

They turned to face her at the same time. Though her mother stayed seated, her father stood up and gave her a hug. “Well, hello there, sunshine. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”

Katrina leaned toward her mother, who gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “I’m glad you made it home safely. It’s good to see you back where you belong,” she said.

Katrina nodded but didn’t respond.

“What can I get you to drink?” her father asked.

“I think I’ll just have some sparkling water.”

“That’s all? No wine?”

She shook her head. “Water is fine, thanks, Dad.”

Her mother picked up her wineglass. “Is that a new dress?”

Katrina nodded. “I bought it in the East Village. What do you think? I got these boots there too.”

“And those? I’ve never seen you wear jewelry like that.” She pointed to Katrina’s earrings.

Katrina’s hand flew self-consciously to the hoops she was wearing. “My friend Grace designs jewelry. Do you like them? I thought they went well with the dress and boots.”

“It’s a nice outfit. I’m not convinced it’s your style though. A little flashy for you, if you ask me.”

Katrina’s father handed her the sparkling water and sat back down on his stool. “I think you look beautiful. I especially like that scarf you’ve got on. Did you get that in New York too?”

“Sure did.”

Her mother put a hand to Katrina’s cheek. “Your face looks a little thinner. Have you lost weight?”

“Maybe a little. I’ve been walking a lot, and doing yoga.”

Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Yoga? I’ve never heard you mention that before.”

“I just started. One of my friends there is an instructor.”

“Doesn’t that take a lot of coordination?”

“I’m not very good at it, but I’ve grown to like it. I like it a
lot
, in fact.”

Her father noticed the hostess, who was walking toward them. “Looks like our table is ready. Shall we?”

Katrina forced a smile. “Sounds great. I’m starving.”

Katrina’s father raised his wineglass. “To Katrina. You’ve got new clothes, new jewelry, even a new exercise routine. Sounds like you came into your own on the East Coast, sunshine. Good for you.”

Katrina crossed her legs under the table, careful to keep her ankles touching even though her mother couldn’t see them. “I did. Thanks, Dad.” She was grateful for the recognition, but also dreading where the conversation was inevitably headed. “It was a really good two months for me.”

“You spent most of your time sightseeing, I imagine? There’s so much to take in there,” he said.

She took a sip of water. “Yes, a lot of sightseeing. And I
. . .
I started painting again.”

Her mother arched an eyebrow. “Painting?”

“I got into the habit of taking long walks to explore the city, and if I saw something along the way that inspired me, sometimes
I’d
go back later and paint it.”

“That sounds nice,” her father said. “You were always pretty good at that.”

Her mother picked at her Caesar salad. “You and your brother are both talented—that goes without saying. Eric in particular has always had such a gift for drawing.”

Katrina stiffened at the sudden memory of why sh
e’d
stopped showing her paintings to other people.

Her mother continued. “Anyhow,
regardless
of how you spent all that leisure time in New York, I’m just glad you kept your wits about you and stuck to your promise to look for a job while you were there.”

Katrina nodded but didn’t reply.

Her father dipped a piece of bread in olive oil. “When do you start this new job?”

Katrina swallowed. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about that.”

“How so?” her mother asked.

Katrina’s mind raced for her talking points.

Opening observation about the restaurant and evening in general.

It was a little too late for that now, but she decided to backtrack anyway.

“I love this restaurant. I’m so glad you suggested we come here.”

Her mother gave her a strange look. “Katrina, dear, are you feeling well?”

“I’m fine, thanks. I
. . .
I just want to express my gratitude to you for choosing such a lovely place for dinner.” She swallowed. “And
. . .
for supporting me in my decision to go to New York, even though I know that wasn’t easy for you.”

“Well, it’s not like we had a choice,” her mother said.

“And you
did
find a job while you were there,” her father said.

Katrina took another sip of water and tried to keep going.

Main statement and supporting points.

She cleared her throat.
“So, anyhow, about the job offer . . .”

Her mother quickly looked up from her salad. “Job
offer
? What do you mean? Was there a snag?”

Katrina hesitated.

Tell them!

“Katrina?” Her mother stared at her.

“I
. . .
turned it down.”

“What?”
Her mother glanced around the room, then lowered her voice and leaned forward. “You turned it
down
?”

Katrina inhaled deeply and stared at her lap for a moment.

Stay calm.

She tried to imagine she was sitting in one of Shana’s yoga classes. A supportive environment. Relaxing and peaceful.

This is your life.

This is
your
life.

She looked up at her mother.

“Yes, I turned it down.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m moving to New York.”

“What?”
Her mother’s voice once again flared louder than sh
e’d
intended. She put a hand on her chest and looked at her husband. “Henry, did you hear that?”

“I believe I did.” He blinked at Katrina. “Sunshine, did I just hear you correctly?”

Katrina nodded. “I’ve decided to move to Brooklyn and open a yoga studio with my new friends Shana, Grace, and Justin. We have a business plan, a financial backer, and a location.”

Her mother’s face turned ashen. “A
yoga
studio? In
Brooklyn
?” Katrina had never seen her look so aghast.

“A combination yoga studio, coffeehouse, jewelry display, and art gallery, actually. Or
my
art, at least. And Grace’s jewelry. And Justin’s pastries. And Shana’s an incredible yoga instructor. But yes, in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Heights, to be exact.” Once sh
e’d
uttered the words aloud, a weight had lifted and her confidence returned. She calmly took a sip of water.

Her mother looked at her father again. “Henry, say something! We can’t let her throw her life away like this.”

“I’m not throwing my life away,” Katrina said firmly. Her voice was steady, but her pulse was still racing. She interlaced her hands under the table and squeezed them together.

Her father shook his head slowly, a look of pity in his eyes. “You’re an
accountant
, sunshine. What do you know about running a business, much less a silly one like that?”

“It’s not silly.”

Her mother scoffed. “Yoga? Coffee and pastries? Please. That’s about as silly as it gets.”

“It’s
not
silly. And my friends there know how to do it. They’re doing it already.”

Her mother pressed her palms against her temples, her thin fingers spread wide. “I can’t believe this. All that education, wasted.”

“It’s not wasted. I’m starting a business, and I’m going to use that knowledge every single day.”

Her mother didn’t reply. Nor did her father.

“I’m going to do this,” Katrina said. “You can’t stop me.”

Her mother groaned. “I think I’m getting a migraine.”

Her father put a gentle hand on Katrina’s arm. “You need to think about your
future
. Moving across the country, starting over, struggling financially. None of that is going to be easy.”

“I know that, Dad. But this
is
my future.”

“You’re making a mistake,” her mother said. “A terrible mistake.”

Katrina took yet another drink of water and readied herself to deliver the final section of her prepared remarks.

Closing expression of conviction and excitement for what lies ahead.

She set down the glass.

“Mom, Dad, I
know
it’s not going to be easy, that it’s going to be quite hard, in fact. But this is something I
want
to do, something that will make me happy. I’ve spent too many years living a life that makes
other people
happy. All that did was make
me
miserable, and I just can’t do it anymore.”

“You’re miserable?” her father asked, a look of surprise on his face.

“I
was
, but I’m not anymore. And I don’t ever want to go back to feeling like that all the time, so this is what I’m going to do now. I’m starting over,
now
.”

“But Katrina—” her mother began.

Katrina held up her hand. “I’m not finished. For the first time in a long time, maybe
ever
, I’m excited about the future. Maybe this will fail, or maybe it won’t, but either way, it’s something I feel I have to do. If you support me, then that’s great. But even if you don’t, my mind is made up.”

Her mother stared at her.

“I’ve never seen you like this,” her father said.

Katrina touched her scarf and felt her lips break into a tiny smile as she realized that during the entire conversation, her foot hadn’t once begun to tap.