Page 17 of Reconcile

“I know you have.” I also know that by the time I get home from work, I’m usually completely wiped out, but it’ll be a Friday.

“Maybe.”

“Yay!” She squeezes me tight and then does a little happy dance. “I’m going to go play now.”

“Okay, sweetie.” She heads down the hallway to her room, and I flop down on the couch in the living room, wearing the tank top and shorts I always wear to bed.

Yes, I’m twenty-four and in pajamas at eight o’clock at night. Don’t judge me.

The sudden knock on the door startles me, and I grumble as I walk to the door. It can’t be who I think it is. But no one else knows where I live.

I look through the peephole and grumble again under my breath when I see Sawyer’s smug face. “Piper. Answer the door.”

I take in a deep breath. It’s only been a couple of days since he found out about Audrey, and since then, I’ve been holding my breath waiting for this moment.

Why can’t he just let it go?

I glance toward the hallway, but I’m relieved when I don’t see Audrey. She either didn’t hear the door or didn’t care. I yank it open and glare at Sawyer, hating how good he looks in the expensive black suit that hugs him snugly. His hair is perfectly styled and his shoes more than likely cost more than two or three months rent at this place.

“What are you doing here?”

He’s wearing black sunglasses that he whips off his face, sporting an arrogant glare of his own. “What am I doing here? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“It’s been days. I thought maybe you forgot.”

He knows I didn’t think that. I can tell by the look on his face, but he remains calm. “I had to do a little research.”

I eye him with suspicion, his words sending a chill through me. “What kind of research?”

He looks over my shoulder into the apartment and then around the outside of the building with a look of disgust. “How the fuck did you end up here? You have a drug problem or something?”

I’m going to kill him, like actual homicide. I wonder if I can claim insanity. “You arrogant, spoiled son of a bitch...”

He holds up a hand to stop my tirade. “You’re a Ward. You’re in an apartment building where the average income is fifty thousand a year. In California. What the fuck is happening?”

“Will you watch your mouth?” I push him back as I walk out of my apartment and close the door behind me. “It’s not that bad.”

It’s small. I know that, but I hate the shame I feel as he stands here, judging me. “It is. And my kid is not living here any longer.”

Against my will, my heart rate speeds up at his words. Is he threatening me? “What do you mean?”

He straightens his tie and stands even taller. “I’m going to give you two options. I have no idea why you’re living in a shithole?—”

“It’s not a shithole,” I interject, but he ignores me.

“I can only imagine you were cut off by your parents.” I don’t give him an answer, staying very silent, and he goes on, “Which I’m sure is partially my fault.”

I snort in irritation, “You’re such an asshole.”

How the hell could I ever think I was in love with him? I was such an idiot.“Yeah well, that’s nothing I haven’t heard before. Still... I can’t sleep, knowing my kid is living here.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my stomach. “You’re such a snob.”

“For wanting better for my kid?”

“A kid you just found out about.”

“Because you didn’t fucking tell me about her!” he shouts. I’m not used to Sawyer losing his cool. Not ever. He was always the one in a fight who would provoke someone to hit him with his arrogance and goading. He never got angry.

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