She knew she couldn’t change the past. She knew her mistakes had been forgiven. She even knew that the broken parts of her family would eventually heal. Her parents were in counseling, and her father was finally free of the shame of what he’d done, making arrangements to pay back the money he’d borrowed from Daniel. It was all behind her now, and dwelling on it wouldn’t help anyone.

Instead, she’d decided to focus her attention on what she could do in the present. She asked herself hard questions about what she wanted the future to look like, and all of it—every single bit—revolved around what her life had always revolved around: making as much magic as possible for other people.

With that, she’d gotten the idea for her nonprofit, not unlike the one Maggie used to talk about starting. The Good Life would expand to include a branch that would grant wishes to families in need. Vacations for local heroes, cancer patients and survivors, single parents—people who could never afford the island on their own would be spoiled for days. She’d partner with local businesses to bring slivers of goodness to her clients, and those clients wouldn’t have to pay a dime.

She contacted Make-A-Wish and organizations that specialized in helping abused women rebuild their lives. She reached out to other nonprofits and shared her plans with them. And now, sitting at her desk across from Ally and McKenzie, she laid the whole thing out for one of the island’s most influential bloggers.

“I assume you’re telling me all this so I’ll write about it,” she said when Louisa had finished her pitch.

Louisa forced a smile. “I was hoping you’d find it newsworthy.”

“Nervy since you stole Cody Boggs away from me, but it’s good karma, so I’ll do a piece on it.”

“I didn’t steal anyone.” Louisa ignored Ally’s wide eyes that seemed to say, Chill out—we need her. “In case you haven’t noticed, Cody and I aren’t together.”

“You’re not doing long-distance?” McKenzie tossed her long, wavy locks over her shoulder, lips puckered in surprise.

“Long-distance?”

“I just assumed that you’d figure out a way to make his transfer work.” She shrugged. “Charlie said the guys are all bummed about it. I guess your boyfriend is pretty good at his job.”

Transfer?

McKenzie slipped her pink padfolio into her sleek black bag and met Louisa’s eyes. She must’ve found confusion on Louisa’s face because in an instant, the blonde’s expression changed. “Oh. You didn’t know.”

Ally stood. “Of course she knew. She just doesn’t like talking about it. Thanks so much, McKenzie. We’ve given you all the details, the printouts, the launch plan, but please let us know if you have any more questions.”

Louisa sat, unable to move.