Good for You: A Novel (77)

“You’re right—but I don’t care. You did the best you could. Luke . . .” She was about to say that he had made a mistake, but that wasn’t really true. “He did know what he was doing. I never should’ve blamed you for his choices. I messed up, but I’m going to transfer the deed to you. It’s the only way I know to show you that I truly am sorry.”

Visibly rattled, Wyatt held her at arm’s length. “What? Why would you do that?”

“I know I ruined everything between us. I don’t need the place, and you—you love it.” It was nearly the golden hour, and the house glowed in the sunlight. Aly couldn’t help but think that Luke must have seen it exactly as she was seeing it now when he’d decided to buy it.

“I do love this house,” said Wyatt, who’d pulled her closer to him again. The vibration of his voice made his torso rumble against hers. “But I love it because of you, Aly.”

She stared up at him, unable to speak.

“I was dead inside when I got here. But then you showed up and—well, I’m alive again, in a way I never have been before. I know this probably isn’t what Luke had in mind when he left us this place.”

Or maybe it was, she thought.

Wyatt continued. “I tried hard not to, but I love you, Aly. I can’t help it, but I do. Now, I know your plans don’t include me—”

“Wait,” she said, lifting a finger to his lips. “I love you, too. And my plans do include you. Or at least they will if you’ll forgive me.”

“Forgive you? I’m not even upset with you. Wrecked that you told me to leave, yes—but I’m not mad at you, Aly. I would’ve reacted the same way if I were in your shoes. But I need to show you something.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a plastic sandwich bag. In it was the wrinkled, folded envelope Luke had addressed to him, which he handed to her. “I think you should read this.”

Aly wasn’t sure she wanted to—not after so many unpleasant surprises. But she thought about the video, and how that had shifted her perspective, and knew she had to be brave this time, too.

Her eyes ran over Luke’s handwriting. Like so many other things about him, it was relaxed, yet precise.

The first thing she noticed was that the letter itself was not just addressed to Wyatt.

It was for both of them.

“Keep reading,” said Wyatt, who stood behind her with his arms around her.

Dear Aly and Wyatt,

If you’re reading this, I obviously didn’t make it to Cuba and back.

I’m sorry. I’m sure it must look bad, but I need you to know that I wasn’t trying to end my life; that was never, ever my goal.

I was simply trying to live it.

You both know I’d always wanted to make that trip, and no matter what, I will have been glad to have had the courage to do what I really wanted to do.

I hope you don’t both hate me. For all I know, you do (just kidding—neither of you do, because I’m dead and who hates a dead man?!). By now you’ve probably had time to come to terms with my being gone.

Knowing the two of you, it probably took you a year to go anywhere near my bedroom, and another six months to open the drawer of my nightstand. Wyatt, I figured you’d get there first and would actually open it, which is why I addressed the envelope to you.

I’m really hoping you’ve found an arrangement that involves both of you enjoying the house, and maybe even living in it or at least splitting your vacations. But just in case it hasn’t worked out, I want to tell you why I left the place to both of you.

I know you have nothing in common—well, except me.

I also know you’re my two favorite people on the entire planet, and that’s no coincidence.

Wyatt, Aly has that weird thing that you and I never did—an ability to look across endless water and see land. You and I have talked a lot about how you can feel aimless, and you know I’ve been there. But she’ll never let you lose your way or steer you off course. And I guarantee that while Aly will have some trouble with your housekeeping (or lack thereof, ha!), she’ll still accept you for who you are, fully and unconditionally. That’s just who she is.

Aly, Wyatt is the beacon in the storm—and I’m guessing your life might feel a little stormy right now. I’m so sorry that I left this world before you, and I hope you’ll understand that as much as you can. Sis, I love you more than you’ll ever know; you’ve made my life worth living, even if I wish it had been a little longer. But with Wyatt, you won’t be alone. As I’m sure he’s told you, he knows what you’re going through right now. And he’ll do anything for the people he loves. Anything. And of course, you’re going right in the (admittedly small) group of people he’d walk over hot coals for, because to spend time with you is to love you. That’s why I made sure you both ended up under the same roof, at least for a while.

Even if you don’t like each other right off the bat, I have truly no doubt that you’ll learn to love each other. And call it a hunch, but something tells me that by the time you read this, you already have.

I miss you both already. Say hi to my beach for me.

All of my love, always—

Luke

Aly’s cheeks were drenched as she looked up from the letter. “Oh, Wyatt.”