Page 24 of Reconcile

“I can’t picture it.”

“That’s because you knew the cocky, young douchebag.” Her eyes meet mine with a grin on her lips. “Not the older cocky, slightly less of a douchebag.”

I actually laugh at that. “You’ve fallen for his charm.”

“And he has a lot of it, but I promise you he’s changed.”

I think about the other day. The threats he made. The way he looked at the apartment where Audrey and I live. “I’m not sure he’s changed for the best.”

“He handled it poorly, but I think you should think about giving him a chance. He’s going to keep messing it up. But I think he’ll try to be a good father, much better than what we all had.”

I look around her extravagant home and try to swallow the sickening bile forming in the back of my throat. “I don’t want Audrey growing up spoiled. And naïve to the world. Searching for love.”

Like I did.

I don’t have to say it, though, and if anyone can understand that, I’m sure it’s the woman sitting next to me. “I get that. I was so worried about that too, but somehow I think Baz gets the best of both worlds.”

“How do you mean?”

She looks almost sheepish. “He has money and everything he could ask for, but he also has love. So much love. And we set boundaries and have expectations, but not ones that are unachievable.”

That part hits home. No matter what I did growing up, it was never enough. Never. I don’t want Audrey to ever feel that way.

“Does he go to a private school like we did?”

She nods, but she’s smiling, “Yes. Asher actually works there. It’s different from what we knew. It’s not cold. It’s bright and encouraging. I can promise you this, if Asher thought for one moment it was damaging Baz instead of benefiting him, he wouldn’t be going to school there, and Asher wouldn’t be working there.”

“But don’t you think a public school would keep him more grounded?”

She looks like she’s thinking that over. “I’m not sure. All I know is I don’t want to punish my child for the sins of my parents. I want him to have the best, and I want him to be a good person. It’s a constant battle, but it’s one I’m willing to fight.”

How can you admire someone you only just met?

I mean, I knew of Vivienne in high school, but I don’t remember ever having a conversation with her before today.

“I’m afraid of screwing it all up.”

She wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. “We all are. Being a parent is terrifying. Some days it feels inevitable that we’re going to screw it all up, but then they look up at you with these big adoring eyes, and you see all the good in the world from that one gaze.”

I smile because I know exactly what she’s talking about.

“I don’t want her tainted by wealth.”

“Don’t let her be. But don’t overcorrect. Wealth isn’t bad. Greed is. Selfishness is. Sawyer isn’t really those things.”

“You didn’t hear him the other day.”

She cringes and shakes her head. “Ugh. Like I said, he’s an idiot. But give him a chance. I think he wants to do the right thing.”

She smiles as the door bursts open, and Sawyer walks inside in a rush. “Fuck, Viv. I’m sorry. I know I said...” He freezes as he takes in the scene before him, no doubt shocked to see me sitting next to Vivienne.

Baz jumps up and runs to Sawyer, wrapping his arms around his waist. “Swearer! You said a bad word!”

Sawyer kneels down and hugs the kid affectionately. “Well, I gotta keep earning my nickname, don’t I?”

Baz nods his head excitedly. “Mommy said we’re hanging out tonight.”

Sawyer grins, the smile wide and happy. “We are, buddy. I was thinking some slasher films. Maybe some liquor. Loose women.”

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