Page 106 of Restrictions

“I can feel the love.”

Her head tilts to the side, and she sighs heavily. “You aren’t ready to love her yet, but you don’t own her.”

“We would be a disaster, Lola. You know we would be.” My throat pulls tight as I look up at the sky, unable to look at her. “We would be mom and dad.”

“I know.” Her voice is sad as I lower my eyes, and I believe she thinks it’s true too. “I know, Asher.”

She doesn’t want us together either. “You think Sawyer will be any better for her?”

“I think she needs to figure that out and not be confused by you.”

“If she really cares for him, I wouldn’t have gotten inside of her so easily last night.”

Lola’s nose scrunches up, and she shoves my chest. “Do you have to be so graphic? I mean, Jesus. I grew up with three brothers, I should be used to it, but even Linc isn’t that gross.”

I chuckle slightly. “I’m not Linc.”

She nods decisively. “No. You’re not. But you could take a cue from him.” She squeezes my shoulder with her small hand. “Let her find out who she is.”

“He won’t be good for her.”

“Let her decide.”

I hate that she’s right. She pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek, not saying anymore as I pull out of the drive and head back home.

To the house I live in with Vivienne and Baz.

I don’t want to make it easy on her. I don’t want her to fall into his trap and make a huge mistake, but I really don’t want to commit to her and then turn into my father.

That would be truly tragic.

When I get home, I see Sawyer’s car in the driveway, and my eyes immediately darken with the same rage I felt last night.

He’s here?

I park my car and fly up to the walk, but Sawyer isn’t inside. Instead he’s sitting out on the top step of the porch.

He’s waiting for me.

“No,” I growl as I stay on the sidewalk leading up to the porch.

“We’ve been friends for a long time. We need to talk.”

“Fuck you and your friendship.” I don’t move and he stands up, walking down to the bottom stair.

“You don’t mean that.”

“How the fuck can you do that? You went out on a date with her. You kissed her.”

He looks slightly surprised, and I'm glad, feeling a small victory. “She told you I kissed her?”

“She did.”

“It was just a kiss.”

“Yeah, what’s that about? Couldn’t close?” I take a step closer to him. “That’s not like you. Losing your touch.”

“I care about her, Asher.”

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