48. Vivienne
I feel like I'm dying. The ache in my chest is constant and throbbing. I’m not sure it will ever go away.
His face.
God, his face as he held Baz’s little body in his arms.
He hates me. And I can’t blame him.
The flight was long, and I was grateful I was stuck on a plane and not driving a car. If I’d been driving, I know I’d have turned around.
I have to stay strong and do what's right.
I help Baz out of the Uber and carry our bags up the paved sidewalk leading to our new home, hoping our host will be ready for the disruption we’ll inevitably bring.
I try like hell not to think about Asher’s pouty mouth and sharp jawline clenched with anger and tension as I press the doorbell.
And I'm met with very similar eyes and a kind smile.
“You guys made it.”
I smile as Lola bends at the knees and brings Baz into her arms for a great big hug. “Aunt Lola!”
She smiles and then stands to pull me into a hug. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? We can be a lot.”
She laughs and waves me off as she lets us into her massive beach home. “I am 100 percent sure. You guys can stay with me for as long as you want. The place is way too big anyway.”
I place our bags by the door.
She looks at them and then back to me. “Is that all you brought? I hope you’re planning to stay longer than that, especially since you’re starting your new job with me and P soon.”
“Yeah.” I nervously play with the hem of my shirt as I look out the glass toward the sandy beach right outside her living room. “I hired a company to pack up the rest. I couldn’t do it.”
She keeps her voice low. “He didn’t take it well.”
I shake my head, fighting the tears and the ache.
She places a hand on my shoulder, trying to soothe me. “It will be okay. I promise.”
I nod my head as I walk to the large window, looking out at my new home.
Sawyer is moving to the same city in a week, and we’re going to continue to get to know each other.
But I can’t stop thinking about Asher’s face and his cold words. I hope this wasn’t a massive mistake. The heartache is great, but I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t feel like it was right.
Still, I know . . .
What has been destroyed, can never be restored.