Page 10 of Restorations

This girl is trying to engage me in conversation, but all I can think about is Viv.

I turn to look at the pretty flight attendant. She’s nice. Simple. Completely uninteresting to me and my fucked-up brain. “You know, I'm not really all that hungry.”

She turns her head briefly to look at me as she drives. “No?” She focuses on the road, and I slide my hand over her bare arm.

“No. How close is your place?” It’s a carnal growl.

She smiles as she ponders my very obvious proposition. “Pretty close.”

I smile at her as she takes the next exit.

I don’t want to fucking think or talk.

I just need an escape from her.

5

VIVIENNE

“So, has he been nice?”

I look at Lola across from me at the table. She’s been trying this new “not butting in” thing, but I actually prefer her slightly overbearing presence. It’s more her. “He hasn’t been anything.”

I don’t think she believes me, but it’s true. I haven’t seen him since he left for his date last night.

“Let me know if he’s being a douche, okay? I mean it.”

I nod my head and hear the doorbell ring. “That’s Sawyer.”

I stand up from the table as Lola drinks her coffee, looking down at her phone. “How does he feel about Ash being here?”

I shrug my shoulders as I start for the front door. “He hasn’t said anything.”

We haven’t really talked since he left here either. But going off his male dominance display yesterday, I’d say he’s not thrilled.

I make it to the front door and open the door for him, smiling as he pulls me into a warm embrace. “Hey.”

“Hi, Sawyer.”

He releases me, and I see his eyes automatically darting around the room, looking for Asher. “I don’t think he’s here. Or he’s not awake yet.”

His brown eyes meet mine. “Has he behaved?”

I laugh and close the door behind him. “Yes. It’s been fine. He went out on a date last night, and I don’t think he’s come home yet.”

“Good.” His smile is back, and he’s returned to the playful Sawyer I know. “Where’s Baz?”

“He’s playing in his room. We already ate breakfast. Let’s go get him.”

He happily follows me to Baz’s room. He’s playing with his toy airplanes and stops, running over to Sawyer instantly. I smile, watching them together. Sawyer and Baz had an instant connection, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the things that attracted me to Sawyer.

He always seemed like a conceited prick in high school—and he was—but to see this softer side of him has been really nice.

“You ready to go to the zoo, buddy?”

“Yeah!” Baz is definitely excited, and I grab a tote bag with essentials before we head out.

After I get Baz into his seat, I close the door as a convertible pulls up and Asher hops out. The blond behind the wheel eyes me with curiosity before giving Asher a flirty wave and driving off.

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