Page 35 of Reconcile

She giggles. “Yup.”

“Of course, he did.” I ruffle her hair. “Night, kiddo.”

“Night.”

My heart aches in my chest from not being able to tell her I love her. That I’m her dad, and I’m not going any-fucking-where. But I just force myself to leave the room, telling myself I will someday.

God, this kid is turning me into a pussy.

Piper flips on the light switch in her room, and I follow her inside, drawn to her like I’ve always been and feeling the aftereffects of a moment ago. “I like your friends.” She stares absently into the mirror above her dresser, removing her earrings.

“They like you. And Audrey.”

She smiles at that and then sits on the edge of her bed, undoing the straps on her sandals.

It all feels utterly domestic. Tucking our kid in and then undressing for the evening. I’m not ready to let the night end, so I sit next to her on the bed, my feet on the ground.

There’s something that’s been bugging me, and I suppose now is the time to ask. “Did my brothers know?” Her eyes meet mine, and I clarify, “About Audrey?”

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they kept it from me. Especially Spencer. “No. Of course not.”

“How? You work for them.”

She snorts. “The Rosses don’t give a damn about their employees’ lives as long as they’re bringing in money.”

I suppose that’s probably true and breathe a sigh of relief. “Good. You had fun tonight.”

It’s not a question. It’s an observation that has her tilting her head to the side in slight amusement. “I suppose I did.”

Her hair falls in front of her eyes, and I don’t hesitate to brush it away. But I leave my hand behind her ear, letting it linger.

“You’re really great with her.” She looks almost bewildered, and I can’t say I blame her.

“She’s a really great kid.”

She nods, and then she’s leaning in, her full, red lips are nearing mine and causing my heart to thunder in my chest. I should stop this. It blurs way too many lines. My other hand cups the back of her head, but I don’t pull her to me.

I let her make the decision.

Her lips part as she stares at my mouth, and I think I might actually die if she doesn’t kiss me. Thankfully, I remain alive just as her mouth crashes against mine after so many goddamn years of not touching her.

Her mouth moves against mine, and my fingers thread through her hair. She doesn’t open her mouth, and I don’t force her. I just stay in the moment that I already know is going to be fleeting.

The kiss is way too brief, leaving me gasping for air and craving the connection as it’s severed by her small hands pushing against my chest and away from her.

“No. I can’t do this.”

“Piper.” I don’t move. My body is frozen on her bed, in the same spot as it was when she kissed me. But she jumps up, shaking her head.

“No. Oh my God, Sawyer. This is exactly what I was afraid of.”

“A kiss?” I turn to face her, but don’t stand.

“No. Not a kiss. You.” Her arms flail, gesturing at me. “Your charm. I can’t fall for this shit again.” Her eyes look at the wall she shares with Audrey. “I’m a mother now.”

“Mothers kiss.”

That only prompts an angry glare as she places a hand on her hip. “You need to go. We are... Hell, we aren’t even friends. You need to go.”

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