Page 43 of Please Save Me

Sophia knelt to be on his level. “What’s up, buttercup?”

Jasper breathed heavily before rooting around in his bucket. Once he caught his breath and found whatever he was looking for, he lifted his gaze to meet Sophia’s.

He held his hand out, and she did the same. After a moment, he deposited a pink piece of taffy into her hand.

“Awww, is this for me?” she cooed.

Jasper's mop of ebony curls bounced as he beamed up at Sophia, who wrapped him in a hug and kissed the top of his head.

“Thank you, Jasper!” she said as if he had just given her the key to world peace. “I’m so proud of you for being kind.”

A smile tugged at my lips. Sure, my kids were as different as night and day, but they were both unique and not afraid to be who they wanted to be. That being said, the lack of praise seemed to rub Juniper the wrong way.

Her expression turned sour as her little brows furrowed and her lips pressed into a pout. She started to squirm in my arms, so I put her down. Juniper then stomped over to Sebastian and tugged on the black cotton of his sweatpants.

His eyes widened slightly, and he mirrored Sophia’s crouched stance.

Juniper’s nostrils flared as she angrily dug through her basket before finding a singular rope of black licorice and pushing it into Sebastian’s hands.

“Here,” she mumbled.

Rapid blinks obscured Sebastian’s icy gaze as he looked down at the candy like it was a trap. And, knowing Juniper, it probably was.

Juniper expectantly looked at Sophia, who smirked.

“You want me to tell you how nice you’re being, don’t you?” She laughed.

“Duh. I’m a good girl.” Juniper crossed her arms and wiggled her little shoulders.

If she was this sassy at three, God help me when she’s a teenager.

“Good girls don’t do nice things just to get rewarded,” Sophia scolded.

Juniper tossed her head back with a groan.

“Mommy,” she whined. “I sharedmycandy with Uncle Bash, and I hate him!”

I choked on a laugh, drawing a glare from Sebastian.

Jasper frowned at his sister’s admission before toddling over to his uncle. Jas wrapped his arms around Seb’s neck and patted his back.

“It’s okay. I love Uncle Bash.”

Sebastian went stiff as if he wasn’t sure what to do with this level of affection. All I knew was if he didn’t hug my son back, I was going to knock his perfect teeth down his fucking throat.

“Oooh!” Sophia’s excitement cut through my rage.

She extended a perfectly polished, almond-shaped nail toward a large, slightly impressive house. The couple passing out candy near the front door looked more like they belonged in a doll house rather than in real life.

I bet he was cheating on her.

“They go to the couple’s yoga Mason and I do. They told us we were everything that was wrong with the world last week.” Sophia’s tone remained cheery despite what she said.

“... So you want to avoid the house?” That’s what a normal person would do.

“What? Absolutely not!” She gasped before taking one kid in each hand. “I’ve got this house.”

Sebastian seemed relieved that Jasper was off of him. But Sophia’s sudden spiteful side left me too distracted to snap at my brother.

---