And I love, more than anything, how fiercely you love my best friend.
One day, I hope with my whole heart that Claudina finds a man like you. Someone who will love her completely, stand beside her dreams, and cherish every piece of who she is.
Until we meet again, but until then…celebrate me, because I’ll be above somewhere, cheering you on every step of the way.
Set your sails to the life you want, Nate, not the wind you’re given.
“Oh, Camila…” My hand flies to my mouth, barely holding back the sob that climbs my throat.
I glance around the room.
Not a single dry eye. I knew it was coming.
Nate is hunched forward, shoulders shaking, and my own vision blurs so quickly I can barely see him.
I lean into Nate, while his brother reaches across and rubs slow, steady circles over his back.
After a long, heavy moment, Nate drags in a breath and looks toward Leo, who has clearly read the letter too. “I have a lot to share with you.”
Leo squeezes his shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready. No rush.”
“Look.” I point toward the bottom of the page. “It saysflip.”
Maddie and Nate,
I’ve already said my piece to you separately, but there’s one thing I want you both to know, and it’s not that I’m dancing in the afterlife, happy as can be that my favorite people are back together.
I know you both are aware of how special your relationship is, but it’s so much more than that, and I need you to know…to really understand.
When you’re together, there’s an electricity that everyone in the room can feel. The love written in storybooks has nothing on the connection between you two.
This is once in a lifetime.
Don’t let it die.
Fucking love each other endlessly until your dying breath, for me.
xoxo,
C
“Was she always this wise?” I trace the words with my fingers.
“No,” Nate and Leo say in unison, and we all laugh, tears still present in all our eyes.
“What would have happened if we hadn’t gotten back together yet?” I ask.
Leo reaches for the second envelope and hands it over. “Here. Find out.”
Nate slides the last letter free, and a second later, a rough, surprised chuckle breaks from his chest.
Just like that, the heaviness in the room cracks.
I gently take the page from his hands, and the second I read it, a wide smile spreads across my face.
Get your fucking shit together, Davenport, and go get our girl!!!!!
XO
