Page 176 of Contentious

“Not always,” Cresley said. “In this case, it’ll depend on how Carson is feeling and whether he’s up to spending a couple of hours in the car.”

“Among other things, and PS, in case you haven’t noticed, there’s a pool at this house, so you can swim today if you want.”

“I want to! Can we, Mom?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Yes! Best day ever. Doughnuts and swimming.”

Carson wasn’t surprised to get a call from Julian. “What the actual fuck was that?” Jules asked.

“I believe that was what’s commonly known as a ham-handed apology and olive branch extension.”

“‘Ham-handed’ is a good way to describe it.”

“He’s trying, Jules. We need to give him credit for that.”

“Do we, though?”

“I guess everyone will have to decide that for themselves.”

“It pisses me off that he’s using your near-death experiences to create an opening.”

“I didn’t take it that way. I think he’s genuinely interested in improving his relationship with each of us outside of work.”

“Eh, I don’t know. It feels opportunistic to me.”

“Maybe a little, but to be fair, we didn’t give him an inch when he asked to talk to us before everything happened to me.”

“I so don’t want to deal with any of this. I have my own life to focus on.”

“Then do that, if it’s what you need right now. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and these relationships won’t be repaired overnight either.”

“I’d feel like I was being petty if I refused to engage with them.”

“Then don’t refuse to engage. Refuse to go all in. Go to the thing next Sunday. Bring your little family. Spend some time with them and then rejoin your life already in progress.”

“I suppose I could do that, even if I don’t want to.”

“The kids will enjoy the pool.”

“That’s true.”

“You don’t have to decide right now.”

“No, I don’t, and I have to go because I have a meeting in five. I’ll talk to you later.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Very thankful for that, as always.”

After he ended the call, he noticed Cresley seeming intrigued as she studied him.

“Have I got something on my face?”

“Just a whole lot of handsome.”

“Oh, well… Thanks.”