Reconcile by Nicole Dykes
“Piper Ward.I really can’t believe you’re here,” Lola says, looking as elegant and beautiful as I remember her.
I watch Audrey playing with Baz and his friend Jacee, running around the large backyard and then turn my attention to Lola. “I know. It’s crazy.”
She smiles into her mojito. “It is. Sawyer is a dad.”
“He’s going to be a great dad,” Viv interjects.
I can’t resist glancing over at Sawyer, who’s still busy talking to Asher. But when Baz runs over and tags him on the back, Sawyer quickly chases after him. Asher follows and both grown-ass men take off after the three children, who are all laughing hysterically.
I hate how my stupid heart flutters when Sawyer catches Audrey and flings her up on his shoulders. She effortlessly laughs in a carefree way as she holds onto his broad shoulders. Asher picks Baz and Jacee up, tucking them both under each arm.
All three kids are lost in a fit of giggles, and it’s endearing as hell.
Lola’s husband couldn’t make it to dinner tonight because he had something to do with Lincoln Sterling. But I’ve been assured that’s a good thing because if they came, then we’d have two more large children tonight.
But it’s said with affection.
Lola is very clearly in love.
“So how’s it going?” Vivienne’s question brings me back to the conversation with Lola and Viv.
“We haven’t been here very long . . .”
Lola and Viv share a look, and then Vivienne smiles. “But how’s it been so far?”
I sigh softly as I watch Sawyer and Audrey, they’ve connected pretty fast. “Really well. Almost too well.” My eyes drift back to Vivienne, who has a kind expression on her pretty face. “She didn’t hesitate to want to move in. She thinks about everything, especially for a six-year-old, but this . . . She seemed excited almost instantly.”
“Well, it’s pretty exciting. I mean, it’s a big house on the beach with a pool,” Lola says matter-of-factly.
I nod, my heart aching. “I know. And Sawyer . . .” I briefly look over at his handsome face with his sparkling eyes and chiseled jaw. “He’s charming.”
“Yeah,” Viv and Lola both agree.
I look back at them. “That’s terrifying.”
Neither woman argues, which only serves to make me more nervous. “But he’s a good man,” Viv reassures me. “He’s not going to hurt her. I promise.”
“How can you promise that? I know he’s your friend, but . . .”
Lola places her hand on my shoulder. “He’s our friend, but we’ll both be the first ones to tell everyone he’s an ass. And we’ll call him out on his shit.” I look at her, probably looking a little stunned, even though I’m not sure why. Viv said as much during our talk. “But look at the way he looks at her.”
We all turn to see Sawyer kneeled down in the grass, listening to something Audrey is telling him. She’s right, the look on his face says he’ll never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her either.
My stomach flutters with an odd sensation I haven’t felt in a long time. Oh my God, is him acting like a father to our little girl actually turning me on?
What the hell is wrong with me?
“This is dangerous.”
Viv leans her head on my shoulder. “There’s nothing hotter than a good dad.”
I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped wide open. How the hell did she know what I was thinking? “I, um . . .”
She giggles and then lifts her head, facing me. “It’s okay to let your guard down, Piper.”
“No. It’s really not. That’s how I got hurt the first time.”
“He won’t hurt her, and he’s grown up,” Lola assures me.
I can’t help thinking they’re biased as hell, but I turn to watch the guys playing with the kids again.
And I let myself get swept away in the moment.
Audrey has never had this. Sure, she’s had some friends from school, but we haven’t attended any parties yet. And she’s never had a father figure.
I hate my treacherous body for responding when he picks her up and tickles her, making her giggle. I hate my heart for squeezing tightly in my chest as I watch her whisper something in his ear that makes him laugh.
But I can’t seem to help it. I never allowed myself to go there before. I never wanted to dream about what it could be like if Sawyer wouldn’t have been a lying cheater and I’d told him about my pregnancy.
Would we have ended up here?
