Page 95 of Restrictions

“We’re allowed to date. Remember?” I round the counter and stand near him, even if it’s dangerous.

“Not my best fucking friend.”

I feel awful about that fact, and it is a fact. Sawyer and he have been friends for a long time, and I know this isn’t fair. “I swear to you, I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it just...”

I watch his chest, and see he’s actually panting with rage. “What? It just what? Did he touch you?”

“Asher . . .” It’s a tired sigh.

“Did he?” The heat coming from him is almost too much to take, and I have to take a step back, only for him to move forward, and my back hits the edge of the counter.

“You can’t ask me that. I haven’t asked you about what you do when you’re not here.”

“But he’s been here.” His eyes lower over my body, lingering and then slowly making their way back to mine. “Have you let him touch you?”

“It’s a date. We’re going on a date.”

“With Baz.”

“With Baz,” I repeat.

He looks pale as he moves away from me and sits at the kitchen island on one of the barstools. “Are you trying to punish me?”

I shake my head and my feet stay firmly planted. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I do like him.”

I didn’t see that coming. I never thought Sawyer was into me. I never thought I would be interested in him, but he’s witty and charming, and obviously devastatingly handsome.

“He didn’t tell me.”

“He wanted to.” I take one step closer to him, his elbow resting on the countertop, his head propped up on his hand. He looks stunned. “I wanted to see how the date went.”

His laugh is cold and bitter as he turns to look at me, dropping his hand, his eyes cruel. “Have to make sure he can offer the good D before you wreck our friendship?”

I swallow, surprised by his words. “I’m not going to sleep with him.”

Again, that fucking prick-laugh comes out of his mouth, one that turns my stomach because it’s so not him. “Right.” He stands and moves a mere foot from me. “It’s been what? Seven months since you’ve had a good fucking?” His hand rises to my cheek as he lets the backs of his fingers graze my skin, sending a thrill through my traitorous body. “You have to be craving touch again.”

I swipe his hand away, my lips curling in a snarl. “Not from you.”

I watch his jaw tick, and I know that stung, but he recovers fast. “Well, he should be decent. He’s had plenty of practice.”

“Like you.”

He’s about to say something hateful. I can tell by the anger flashing over his beautiful features, but we both turn when we hear, “Mommy,” coming from the doorway, and I see Baz with his hat on, waiting for me. “When is Swearer going to be here?”

“Fuck this.” The curse is under Asher’s breath and quiet enough as he exits through the kitchen door and slams it shut.

Baz looks slightly confused as he looks at me, and I fight back tears. “Where did Uncle Asher go, Mommy?”

I shrug and plaster a smile on my face, grabbing the tote bag and slinging it over my shoulder. “Let’s go wait for Sawyer out front.”

Baz comes along, having no idea what just happened.

I glance over my shoulder and don’t see any sign of Asher, but I do hear the engine start and his car peeling out of the drive before Baz and I reach the front door.

He doesn’t love me.

I have no idea where things will go with Sawyer. Or if they will go beyond a day at the zoo, but I can’t just put my life on pause and wait for Asher to maybe someday love me back.

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