Page 13 of Restrictions

I roll my eyes as Sebastian runs to hug me around the leg. “Mommy, is it dinnertime yet?”

I nod my head and smooth my hand over his hair, trying to remind myself to breathe. “Almost. Grandma and Grandpa should be here soon.”

“Pizza?” He looks up at me with wide hopeful eyes as I shake my head, crushing his little dreams.

“Not tonight sweetie. I made chicken.”

His little nose crinkles before he shrugs and runs out of the room.

Asher laughs, shaking his head and placing the comb on his dresser. I’m pleasantly surprised to see he dressed nicely for dinner—in slacks and a black button-down—without me having to ask him to.

Not that he really needed to, but it’s still a nice sentiment.

“What time are they supposed to be here?”

I look at the gold watch on my wrist, the one my parents gave me for Christmas this year. “Soon.”

Asher walks to me, placing both hands on my shoulders and looking down into my eyes. “Breathe, Viv. They’re your parents.”

“You have no idea what you’re in for.”

He laughs it off as we walk out to the main room of the basement and wrangle Baz up the stairs just in time for the doorbell to ring.

I brush my hair one more time with my fingers and open the door for my parents, who are both already wearing stern, judgmental looks. My dad in his three-piece suit and my mother wearing a knee-length dress with long sleeves and pearls around her neck.

“Mom. Dad.” I gesture behind me and move out of the way. “Come in.”

They both walk in, my mom clutching her purse to her as her intrusive eyes go to work, darting around the foyer and into the living room. “Vivienne.” My mom looks me up and down, and I can feel my breathing increase rapidly from her once-over. Her hands go to the ends of my hair as she shakes her head. “I wish you wouldn’t have cut your hair. You had the prettiest hair.”

My mother makes me want to crawl out of my own skin and be anyone else. She always has. “It’s easier to wear it to my shoulders with Sebastian.”

Her nose lifts in the air, her chin always high and astute. “Well, maybe you can grow it out soon.”

I close the door behind my father as he joins us, looking around the house as if he expected it to be in a pile of rubble. He barely looks at me, which isn’t a surprise. He hasn’t looked me in the eye since I told them I was pregnant. “Everything up to par?”

He hasn’t been here since he took the tour six months ago. I nod. “Yes. It’s perfect. Thank you.”

Although it’s far too large for a single mother, her son, and even her son’s uncle, but yeah, it’s up to par.

I pick at my nails and didn’t realize I was doing it until my mother grabs my hands. “Vivienne. That’s a terrible habit.”

“Sorry, Mother.”

I catch Asher’s eye, complete with his curious eyebrow lift, and try to shake it off as I wave Sebastian over. “Come say hello, sweetheart.”

He stands in front of Asher and the hesitant look on his cute face makes my heart ache. This is why I had to get out of my parent’s home. My little boy is rambunctious, and my parents have no tolerance for it.

He waves at them and then tucks himself behind Asher’s large body, giggling as he hides. Asher waves a quick hello to my parents and is met with brief nods.

I plaster a fake smile on my face and tuck my hair behind my ear as I look to my mother. “Sebastian’s tired.”

She looks annoyed as she nods curtly. “Is dinner being delivered?”

I shake my head and motion for them all to follow me as I start toward the dining room and kitchen area of the home. “No, I baked chicken.”

“You did?” My mother looks shocked as they follow me into the dining room.

“I did. It wasn’t hard. I just looked up a recipe.” I nod toward the dining room table decorated with the brand-new china my parents provided. “Please, sit. I’ll be right back.”

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