Page 34 of Restrictions

I stare at him and feel like a total moron. What was I thinking? I actually let out an honest to god laugh, and now he looks even more alarmed.

“Are . . . Are you okay?”

I laugh again and shake my head. “You’re totally right. We would never work. Like ever. You probably love going to parties on the weekend,and I take my kid to the zoo or children’s museums. The last movie I watched wasThe Lion Kingand we had to leave the theater half-way through because Sebastian was over it.” I place my hand over my chest and laugh again, but it’s getting less funny. “The last book I read wasPaw Patrol. We have nothing in common.”

“You’re fucking gorgeous. And great.”

I laugh again. “You have no idea who I am.”

He looks saddened by that, but he can’t argue. He didn’t want to get to know me after he found out I was a mom. “I’m sorry.”

“No.” I turn to face him, putting my hand back on the door handle. “Don’t be. You could have done something way worse tonight and didn’t.”

“Like what?”

“Like lead me on and make me think there was a future.”

“I wouldn’t do that. Anyone who dates you dates your kid too, and I’m an asshole but not that big of an asshole. I’m not mature enough to date a single mom, and I know it.”

“I can appreciate that.”

“I did have a good time, Vivienne.”

I smile and open the door. “Thank you for dinner.”

I close the car door, not wanting to hear anything more from William as I find my keys in my purse.

I can’t believe how naïve I was. I shake my head at my own stupidity and unlock the door quietly. It’s almost eleven, and I sure hope that Asher has put Sebastian to bed by now. The porch light was on, but when I walk inside the house, I’m in darkness.

I listen for any signs of Baz being awake and sigh in relief when I don’t hear a peep. I love that little boy more than life, but I need a minute.

I put my purse down and go into my kitchen, flipping on the dim light below the microwave and grab a bottle of Barefoot Moscato wine from my fridge, kicking off my heels, unscrewing the cap and sliding down to the kitchen floor, taking a drink from the bottle.

I feel stupid and ashamed, hating that Asher knew what he was talking about and the fact that I look like a fool.

Maybe dating is just off the table for me for a while.

15

ASHER

Iheard a car pull up about twenty minutes ago and have been trying to talk myself out of going upstairs and asking Viv about her date, but I can’t fucking do it.

I have to know if she’s okay.

I walk up the stairs quietly, wondering if Viv already went upstairs to her room. This is stupid. She’s a grown woman. If she had a bad date and wants to tell me about it, then she will. What if she had a really good date?

Fuck.

I hit the top stair and see a dim light coming from the kitchen and walk in to find Viv on the floor, tipping back a bottle of wine and leaning her back against the dishwasher. “Viv?”

She lowers the bottle, some of the liquid spilling down her chin as she wipes it away and raises the bottle in my direction. “You want some? I know you’re only twenty, but I always thought that law was stupid. We can vote at eighteen but not drink?”

Uh oh. I’ve never seen Viv like this, and it appears something inside her has finally snapped.

I lower myself to the ground, sitting next to her and take the bottle. I cautiously take a small sip of the sweet wine. “What happened, Viv?”

She laughs, but it’s not her normal laugh at all. It’s a little on thepsychotic side, and I’m feeling slightly homicidal, ready to grab my keys and go find that motherfucker.

---