Vivienne's Guilt by Heather M. Orgeron Read Free Book Online Page B

for coming.”
    And sick fuck that I am, all I can think about is how great her tits feel pressed up against my chest. How right my arms feel wrapped around her tiny waist. I need to get a fucking grip.
    “Mommy,” Tillie calls to her mother, and it’s exactly the bucket of ice cold water I need.
    “Yeah, baby?” Viv answers.
    “Why does Reid look like my daddy?”

Vivienne
    When I look up to see Reid’s face— Abbott’s face— I’m momentarily struck stupid. For a second, I forget how to breathe. It’s all still so fresh, so raw. It’s hard enough to see his face on Tillie day in and day out, but on another man...it’s physically painful. When Tillie voices my thoughts aloud, it’s like a punch to the gut.
    Thank God Reid answers because I can’t seem to find my voice.
    “Because Reid’s a lucky guy,” he says, ruffling her hair. “And you are a lucky girl. We Parkers all look alike,” he adds with a shrug. “Good genes.”
    “You have good pants?” she asks, confused. “I’m not wearing pants, silly. This is a dress, and it’s pink. Do you like pink?” Tillie questions while batting her long lashes at him.
    Just roll with it, I mouth to Reid, laughing silently.
    He smiles and answers, “As a matter fact, I do like pink, Miss Tillie, and I love your dress.” He compliments my daughter and my heart warms to him instantly.
    “Okay,” Tillie says. “Good. Cuz pink is our favorite, right, Mommy?”
    “It sure is,” I answer. Then, addressing them both, I say, “Come on, kiddos, let’s get out of here!”
    I do my best not to look at Reid on the way home from the airport. It’s doing crazy things to my emotions and confusing the hell out of me. Each time I catch a glimpse of him in my peripheral, it’s a shock to my heart. It’s hard not to envision Abbott riding alongside me, where he has so many times before.
    “So, Reid, how was your flight?” I ask while keeping my eyes straight ahead on the road.
    “Well, I slept right through it,” he laughs. “So, I’d say it was pretty good.”
    “Yeah, I’d say so. It was an early flight.”
    “It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t spent half the night on the phone with my girl. She isn’t taking my leaving too well. You know how chicks are,” he answers, sounding just like the eighteen-year-old that he is. His juvenile language reminds me that this is not Abbott, and these feelings are completely unwarranted.
    “I’m sorry, Reid. Maybe you can have her come out for a few days in a couple of weeks once we get things situated. You’ll have your own space in the pool house. It would be a nice vacation for her.”
    “Yeah? I might do that. Let’s see how things go. You wouldn’t mind?” he asks, looking a little skeptical. “Are you sure?”
    “Of course. You’re an adult. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your work at the camp, then I don’t see why not. I already feel bad that you’ll be here working all summer. I mean, I appreciate it more than you know. But I was eighteen once. You should be having some fun, too.”
    “It’s not a problem, Aunt Viv. I’m happy to help.”

    Once we get back to the house, I carry my sleeping daughter to her room and grab the baby monitor from her dresser. Then, I lead Reid out back to the pool house so that we can get him settled in.
    “Wow, Aunt Viv. This place is awesome. I’d never want to leave the backyard,” he says as he scopes out the pool area.
    “That was the idea, Reid.” I smile at his excitement. “And this,” I say as I wave my arm in front of the pool house, “is where you’ll be staying.”
    “No way.”
    “Yes way. Let me show you around. Come on in.” I wiggle the key into the lock, pop the door open, and usher him inside. “This is the game room, which will serve as your living room. There’s a PlayStation and an X-Box in that console over there and a ton of games. The TV has satellite, and there’s a channel guide in the drawer over there.”