Page 71 of Reconcile

I know they put a lot of pressure on me, but that was even more true with Paisley. Even though she rebelled pretty hard, it was usually in secret so to not upset the parents. “Why are you here, Paisley?” I ask in a much softer tone.

“I want to know you. I want to get to know your daughter. I miss you.”

“You hated me.”

She shakes her head sadly. “That’s not true. I hatedme, and that’s a huge difference. I hated who I was and what I did. And then I saw you getting out. I saw how much you loved Sawyer, and I couldn’t handle it. I crushed you. And it was the biggest mistake of my life.”

“We all made mistakes.”

“You and Sawyer seem happy.” A slow smile spreads over her face, which causes me to smile too.

“We are. I want to love him.”

“I think that ship has sailed. You’ve loved him for a long, long time.”

“I’m afraid,” I admit.

“I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”

Damn it, I believe her. “Does Mom know you’re here?”

“I’m moving here, Piper. To California. I don’t want that life anymore. I can’t take it. I told her that I won’t become her, and she cried, but it was all fake. All of it. Her crocodile tears were for Dad and to try to gain his pity.”

It was always Mom’s go-to move. “Not surprising. What did Dad say?”

“That he’s disappointed. That both of his daughters turned out to be utter disappointments.”

I roll my eyes. “Again, not surprising.”

“I want to meet your daughter. I want to be in your life. I want to earn your forgiveness. I’m so damn sorry, Piper. I was so awful to you.”

“I...” I sigh and look through the window, smiling when I see Sawyer is swimming laps in the pool and then turn back to my sister. “I want that too.”

Her eyes light up with hope. “Really?”

“It might take me a while.”

“Understandable.” She stands up, her eyes drifting toward the pool. “I should get back to the hotel and let you get back to your evening. I’m sorry I interrupted.”

I stand too, needing to confirm one last thing. “Did you really send Spencer that picture?”

Her face falls. “Yes.”

“Were you in love with Spencer?”

Her eyes darken, and her jaw tenses. “Yes. At least I thought I was, but he’s just like them.”

I nod. “I’m glad you know that.”

She pulls me into a cautious hug. “I love you, Piper. I’m sorry. For the rest of my life, I’ll try to make it up to you.”

“Just be a good aunt to Audrey, and we’ll be okay.”

She smiles, pulling back but leaving her hands on my shoulders. “Audrey. I love it.”

I smile and then walk her to the door with a promise of meeting her for lunch soon. I can’t believe my sister is here. That she left her comfortable life to be here.

But for whatever reason, I have a really good feeling about it.

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