Page 42 of Restrictions

“Oh, I’m so happy you guys came to dinner.” Nora gives me a big hug after I finish buckling Baz into his car seat. I can tell he’s half asleep already.

She gives him a kiss, and I close the door as we walk to the driver’s side. “Thank you for inviting us. I love your cooking.”

She smiles. “You know, I didn’t want to mention it in front of Sebastian, and you can definitely say no.” I smile back at her, encouraging her to continue. “I was wondering if maybe Sebastian could stay the night with me some weekend? You can say no, it won’t hurt my feelings.”

I instinctively look into the backseat and back at Nora. “I’ve never done that before.”

She nods. “And I know you may not be ready, and that’s perfectly fine. I just thought I’d offer.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll think about it if that’s okay?”

“Of course. Just anytime. My schedule is pretty open these days. I thought maybe you would like a night off with some wine and a book. Maybe even a date with a nice young man.”

I told her what a disaster my date was, but she’s convinced the right guy will come calling soon. Her words, not mine. “That is tempting.”

“And if Sebastian wants you at any time, I’ll bring him right to you. That I promise.”

There’s really no one on this planet I trust more than Nora. I play with my car keys and tuck my hair behind my ear. “You know, it sounds nice. I’ll probably take you up on that.”

She smiles and gives me another hug. “Drive safe.”

“Thank you again for dinner.”

“Anytime.”

We say our good-byes, and I make the trip back to Lawrence, pulling into the garage, noticing a car parked out on the street that I don’t recognize. It’s not Sawyer’s black BMW. I walk to the back door, opening and pulling my sleeping Sebastian into my arms.

He stirs and lifts his head from my shoulder as I shut the door. “Hi, Mommy.”

He giggles, and I shake my head. Oh no. He’s not going back to sleep for a bit and waking him up in the morning is going to be a bitch. “Hi, sweetheart. Let’s get you to bed.”

I open up the door from the garage that goes into the kitchen and walk inside carrying Baz, making our way to the living room.

“Mommy! She’s naked!”

Oh my God. The girl my son is talking about isn’t exactly naked, but she’s straddling Asher’s lap and does have her shirt off. Thank God she’s still wearing her bra as she sticks her tongue down Ash’s throat. He pulls away from her, and I cover Baz’s eyes as he lifts her off his lap. “Viv. Baz. You guys are home early.”

The girl turns around, showing off her lacy red bra and is all attitude while she stares me down. “What the hell? You have a kid?”

Asher shakes his head and tosses her shirt to her. “No. He’s my nephew. Get dressed.”

I roll my eyes and carry Sebastian toward the stairs, fury flowing through my body as I try not to kill him and keep Baz’s face tucked against my shoulder.

I hear the girl’s whine as we head up the stairs. “Are you kidding? You’re kicking me out? We just got started.”

“Ugh.” I slam Sebastian’s door behind us as I carry him into his room and straight to his bed.

“Mommy, I saw her boobs,” he giggles.

Oh that’s just great, Asher. “Not exactly. She was partially covered.”

I pull his shirt off and tug his little jeans down, searching his dresser drawer for his pajamas as he lays on his back and giggles, “I saw her boobies.”

I’m going to kill Asher. “Stop laughing, silly.” I grab hisPaw Patrolpajamas and pull them on him as he struggles with impressive strength, giving me hell, as usual. The kid does not like bedtime.

“Who is she, Mommy?”

I finally get him dressed and tucked into his bed and kneel on the floor next to him. “I don’t know. Uncle Asher’s friend.”

---