Page 22 of Restrictions

His love for my son gives me a hope that was never put there by my own family. My parents were so furious when they found out I told the Sterlings about Sebastian, but I didn’t care. It felt right, and I’ve never regretted my decision even though my parents tried to tell me the Sterlings would sue me for custody and I would lose him. Why they cared, I have no idea, but I know they just wanted control over the situation. The Sterlings have been nothing short of incredible. “I’m glad too. So unbelievably glad.”

He wraps his arm tighter around me, pulling me closer to his side. “You don’t need any help, Viv. You’re a badass, but Iamhere.”

“What if you find someone?”

I feel his body shake with laughter. “Find someone?”

“Yeah, what if you start dating someone. We aren’t your responsibility, Asher. If you want to date, you can. Youshould. But then, what ifyou fall in love and leave?” I would be trying to do everything on my own, and I’m terrified I’ll fail.

He laughs again and shakes his head. “Not gonna happen.”

I look over at him, giving our bodies some distance. “It happens all the time, Asher. It could happen. One moment, you’re randomly hooking up and the next, you’re in love.”

He’s still laughing and looking at me like I’m crazy. “I’ve seen love destroy, and I mean fucking demolish, lives. Trust me on this one, Viv, I’m not catching feelings for anyone.” I don’t relent, and he scoffs, “Iffor some crazy ass reason I lose my mind and fall for someone and move out, you would be 100 percent fine, and I would still be here for you and Baz.”

I believe him, which is terrifying. “I don’t like relying on anyone.”

“Yeah, after meeting your parents, I get why, but you can rely on me.” His eyes bore into mine, sending the message loud and clear.

“Thank you.”

“Just remember to breathe.” He nods down to my chest. “And now maybe you can get a suit that’s made for a hot twenty-one–year-old instead of a fucking nun.”

I roll my eyes at that. “This is not a nun suit.”

“It is. Get a fucking bikini and rock that bod you work so hard for.”

I laugh as Baz runs in and jumps on Asher’s lap, making him release me and wrap his arms around Baz, lifting him into the air, swollen lip and all.

“I hate your honesty,” I say as I look down at the plain black one-piece.

Asher laughs, tickling Baz and bringing him back down to his lap. “No, you don’t.”

No. I don’t.

10

ASHER

Iunlock the front door to the house and walk inside, trying to be quiet. It’s not super-late, but Baz is probably tucked into bed. I had a long day with it being the first day back, and I’m glad to be home.

Home. Huh. I guess it’s my home for now.

Viv greets me with a smile from her seat on the white sofa in the living room. Why she went with white furniture I’m not sure because Baz is going to have them all different colors in no time. “Hey, busy day?”

I nod, closing the door behind me and sitting on the cushioned ottoman in front of her. “Yeah. Most of my classes are in the afternoon, and then I had to meet with my advisor, and he only had an evening appointment available.”

“There’s chicken in the fridge if you’re hungry.”

She looks tired, but so damn pretty. She’s not dressed like the thousands of other co-eds I saw on campus today, mostly wearing shorts and casual tees. Not Viv, she’s in dark washed jeans and a silky blouse, her hair smoothed to perfection and makeup still intact. “Thanks. I grabbed something on campus.”

She nods, looking down at the open textbook on her lap.

“So how was today?” She was so stressed yesterday. I thought shewas going to have a full-blown panic attack when Baz got hurt. Honestly, it scared the shit out of me too when I saw her rushing into my room with blood on her and covering his little face, but when I saw it was just a split lip, I quickly recovered.

Viv seems calmer today though, her eyes lift and meet mine. “Good. You were right. He had a lot of fun at daycare with the other kids and told me all about it. And I did cry when I dropped him off.”

I shrug. “No biggie.”

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