Page 144 of Anyone But Her

"I'm surprised I haven't heard from them. I thought they might try to fight it."

"They could try, but they have no reason to. They have no use for that tiny run-down house. Neither one of them would ever live in it and it'd be a hassle for them to rent it out." He points to the last paragraph. "Albert also left you a sum of cash. The amount is listed here."

Luke looks at it, then leans down to get a closer look.

"That can't be right. Albert didn't have that kind of money, and if he did, he would've given it to his kids."

"They each got ten times that amount," Mr. Pascall says, then clears his throat. "I probably shouldn't have told you that."

"I don't understand. Albert really had that kind of money?"

"He did well in his career, invested well, and didn't spend much. He lived a simple life but that's how he wanted it. He didn't want a big house or fancy cars. And because of that, he was able to save a lot over the years."

Luke turns to me. "He left me a hundred thousand dollars."

My eyes widen. "A hundred thousand dollars? Are you serious?"

"That's what it says."

"And the house," the lawyer adds. "I can help transfer the deed to your name, if you'd like."

"Yeah, okay," Luke says, his voice distant, like he's still in shock.

I put my hand on his arm. "Luke, do you know what this means? You don't have to get a job! You can get an apartment and pay for your coach and focus on going pro."

"I can't believe he left me that much." Luke looks at the lawyer. "When did he do it? When did he change his will?"

"When you were a child, maybe eight or nine. But he stipulated that the money and house couldn't transfer to you until after you turned eighteen. He didn't want it going to your parents." Mr. Pascall stands up. "My other client is here. Sorry to rush you but I need to go."

"It's fine," Luke says as we get up from our chairs.

"I'll be in touch regarding getting the money to you. And I'll get the deed taken care of for the house."

"Okay, thanks."

We leave his office and the reception area and take the short flight of stairs to the main level. As we're walking out of the building, Luke says, "Did that really just happen?"

"Yeah." I smile and take his hand as we walk. "You have a hundred thousand dollars. And you own a house."

He stops suddenly. "Wow."

"What?"

He smiles. "I have money. I don't have to get a job. I can keep golfing."

"I know. It's great! It's just what Albert would've wanted."

He looks up at the sky. "It's exactly what he would've wanted." His eyes go back to mine. "You know what else he would've wanted?"

"What?"

"For me to be with you. That day I saw you on TV when I was ten, Albert knew you were the one for me. He saw that spark in my eye, the way I smiled when I saw you. How I couldn't look away. He knew you were it for me. And his passing led me to be with you. If Albert had lived, I never would've moved into your house. I would've stayed away from you because it's what you told me you wanted, and because I wouldn't have wanted to risk my friendship with Cal. But Albert had other plans. He wanted us to be together."

"So he died? That's kinda freaky."

"I'm just making this up. I have no idea if it's true. But I do feel like he intervened somehow to get us together. I also think he intervened to get me talking to my parents again." He pauses. "When I was a kid I told Albert he could never leave me, and he didn't. He's still here, helping me when I need it. Pushing me to do what's right. Leading me on the path I need to be on. Leading me to the girl that I love."

I wipe my eyes. "You're making me cry. Stop it. I don't even know Albert and I miss him."

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