Page 50 of Restrictions

I take another breath. “The swimsuit was for me to remember that. And I look good in it.”

Stay strong, Vivienne.

He’s studying me, but then something grabs his attention. “Mom.”

“What?”

He nods toward the security camera app on my phone that’s sitting on the counter behind me. “My mom.”

I walk away from Asher and go to the front door, letting them in before she can ring the doorbell. “Nora, hi!”

She smiles, and Sebastian runs to me as I kneel down. He hugs me around my neck. “Mommy!”

I smile and hug him tight, lifting him up in my arms. “Baz! I missed you!”

“He missed you too. He did great last night, but this morning he woke up wanting Mommy.”

I smile at Nora as Baz rests his head on my shoulder, and I squeeze him again. “Well, I woke up wanting you too, little guy.”

He squirms out of my hold, and I let his feet touch the ground before he runs up the stairs to his room.

Nora laughs happily as Asher joins us, and she gives him a hug. “Hi, sweetheart.”

He hugs her back, but I notice he looks tense. “Hi, Mom.”

I don’t get it. Nora is the sweetest person I’ve ever met. How can he be so cold to her? “I missed you at dinner last week.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with school.”

Nora nods her head, accepting his line of bullshit. “I understand.” She ruffles his hair lovingly. “Hopefully soon.”

Asher nods and pulls away, and I look at Nora, annoyed with her son. “Would you like to join us for breakfast?”

“Oh, thank you for the offer, honey, but I better get back. Tony and I are leaving for another trip in a few days, and I have things to do.”

She’s my hero. She’s found her happiness. “That’s wonderful. Where are you two going this time?”

“We’re going to Ireland for a week.”

“That sounds lovely. Send pictures.”

“Of course.” She shouts up the stairs. “I love you, sweetheart! Thank you for spending the night.”

We all smile when Sebastian hollers back in his totally cool, casual little voice. “Love ya!”

She gives Asher and I another hug before leaving and closing the door behind her. I turn to Ash. “You could be nicer to your mom. You have no idea how lucky you are.”

His body crowds mine as I press up against the door. “And you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He walks off, heading for the stairs, and I follow, grabbing his armand making him stop at the top of them. “You could talk to me, you know. We’re supposed to be friends.”

“I don’t know what the fuck we are anymore.”

That hurts more than I’d like to admit. “Are you really that upset about last night? You didn’t seem all that angry with your hand down your pants.”

His jaw pulls tight with tension. “This can’t keep happening. It can’t, Vivienne. I’m not Linc.”

“What?” I’m so incredibly confused by this man.

---