Good for You: A Novel (58)

“We won the family lottery,” said Tim, looking a little misty-eyed. “I wish I could go back in time and tell fifteen-year-old me that one day I was going to have a happy family.”

Aly tried to keep the sadness out of her smile. She wouldn’t mind going back to her teens, if only to see Luke again. But she’d never be able to reassure her teenage self that one day the hole in her heart would finally be filled.

Instead, she’d have to inform her that it would soon come to resemble a canyon.

As Aly and Tim descended the stairs, she heard Wyatt before she saw him. He and Harry stood in the living room, both laughing like two people who already knew each other. And Wyatt—

Well, he was jiggling Beckett on his hip in the manner of a man who actually did know what to do with a baby.

“We were just talking about you,” said Harry.

“Greaaaat,” she deadpanned. She eyed Wyatt. “When did you turn into the baby whisperer?”

“I love babies,” said Wyatt. He stuck his tongue out at Beckett, who giggled. “And babies love me.”

“Now you’re just bragging,” said Harry, and Wyatt laughed so openly that he seemed like an entirely different version of the man she’d mistaken for a squatter a few weeks ago.

They liked each other, she realized. Instead of Harry’s disapproval, Wyatt had already won him over.

This was definitely not the plan.

“Who even are you right now?” she said to Wyatt, not really joking.

“I have lots of cousins,” he said, still bouncing Beckett. “Kids are so much easier than adults.”

“Yes and no,” said Harry, and Wyatt laughed again. “We’re less messy but more complicated.”

“Wyatt isn’t less messy,” Aly said, looking pointedly at him.

“Hey, I’ve been trying a lot harder lately,” said Wyatt, pretending to pout.

She had to agree that he had been, but she couldn’t get over the change in his demeanor. Where was the storm cloud of a man she’d grown accustomed to? Granted, he had been more cheerful since they’d started sleeping together. But this sunny, jovial persona was next level. She didn’t dislike it, necessarily. It was just that she preferred knowing what to expect from a person.

Especially one she was spending time undressed with.

“You know, we could watch Beckett if you two wanted a little break,” Wyatt said to Harry. “Maybe brunch tomorrow or something?”

And now he was suggesting they babysit?

“Whoa—that’s quite an offer. Are we ready, honey?” Harry asked Tim.

Tim laughed. “I think we might be.”

“By the way, I made reservations for us at the Mermaid at six,” Wyatt added. “But if that’s not a good time for you all, I can change them.”

He did what? “You did?” said Aly, not even bothering to hide her amazement. What was next—he was going to tell her he was a member of a strange religious cult or had once performed on Broadway?

Then again, he’d already surprised her in bed a few times. The man knew every button and exactly when to press them. If only this month could stretch forever.

She shook her head hard, almost violently, to clear her mind. This was worse than Stockholm syndrome. It was like teenage infatuation on steroids.

“You okay, babe? You have a look on your face,” said Harry.

“I’m fine,” she murmured. “Sorry—I was just lost in thought.”

“You sure?” said Wyatt, peering at her with concern.

Aly flushed. She wasn’t used to having so many people worried about her at one time. “I swear I’m okay. Just . . . I probably need more sleep.”

Harry waited until Wyatt had walked over to the infant carrier to get some toys for Beckett. Then he whispered to Aly. “From where I stand, what you need is right here in this room.”

“Harry!” she hissed. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I like him. And I can tell you do, too. I haven’t seen you look so . . .” He held her at arm’s length, taking her in. “Well, you look like yourself.”

She frowned. “I wasn’t aware I was beginning to resemble a stranger.”

“The light’s back in your eyes, babe. It was out the last time I saw you, and I’m relieved to see it again.”

Was it? She wished there were a mirror nearby.

Harry slung his arm around her. “So I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re not going back to being editor in chief, why not extend your sabbatical and stay the summer?”

Her eyes widened; she hadn’t even told Harry that Wyatt had asked her to do that very thing.

“Give Wyatt a chance,” Harry added. Then he glanced around the house before pulling her in for a hug. “Or at least give this place a chance—a real one. I think Luke left it to both of you for a reason.”





THIRTY


“You’re sure you’ve got this?” asked Harry as he handed Beckett to Wyatt.

“We do,” Aly assured him, even though it was obvious that the person who had things under control was Wyatt.

Harry ran his hand over Beckett’s head. “Be good, okay, love bug?”

“Forgive him—we haven’t left Beckett with a sitter yet,” Tim said to Aly and Wyatt. A tech journalist, Tim had only taken the occasional assignment since Beckett’s birth, so he could stay home to watch him.