Page 59 of Restorations

“She’s in my class,” I add, and I see the grin form on Linc’s lips as he looks across the table at our nephew.

“Aw, does Baz have a girlfriend?”

“No!” He scrunches his little nose, because you know, at their age, girls still have cooties and shit.

I laugh. “Jacee is sweet. She wouldn’t be a bad choice for a girlfriend.”

He shakes his head adamantly, and Viv gives me a look, telling me to stop, which I only find funnier. “She’s my friend.”

“That’s great, sweetie.” Viv eyes me again and then looks at Baz. “I’m all for you having friends.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I kind of hate her too.” My eyebrow raises as he lifts his shoulders again. “But she gave me her pudding at lunch.”

I can’t fight my laugh. He’s totally serious. “Careful, little man, that’s how it always starts. The sweeter the pudding, the crazier the girl.”

Linc snickers, and Penelope, Lola, and Viv all glare at me. I’m pretty sure Hayden would be on my side if he were here, but he had a meeting.

“Can you please not make him a commitment-phobe?” Vivienne’s tone has a bite to it, and I know, without a doubt, that’s directed toward our situation and not Baz.

“I’m just giving him all the information.”

I mock innocence, and she shakes her head, focusing back on Baz. “Since we’re talking about Halloween, what do you want to dress up as?”

Baz puts a finger on his chin, thinking it over with careful consideration. “We’re all going to be superheroes!”

“All?” Viv asks nervously.

He nods his head, utterly serious as he looks around the table. “All. And Hayden and Swearer.”

My eyes meet Viv’s, and I see hesitance there. Sawyer hasn’t been around much since they put an end to having sex added to their friendship, but when it comes to Baz, I know without a doubt, we’ll all be showing up at this party in whatever costume he chooses.

And here comes the storm.

28

VIVIENNE

Ifeel Asher before I see him. It’s always that way with him. I’m transferring clothes from the washer to the dryer when he sneaks up behind me. Dinner was lovely until Baz mentioned Sawyer coming to his Halloween party.

Things have been peaceful, and I've tried to keep my distance from Asher. Realizing that I still have some type of feelings for him has been too much. I don’t want my heart to get me into trouble again.

I turn around to face him, seeing his heated gaze and knowing he’s here for a fight. Lola is at Hayden’s, and I just put Baz down for sleep. It’s not a good idea for us to be alone with each other and angry.

“Baz brought up Sawyer, not me. Take it up with your nephew.”

His face remains stoic, and I hate it.

“Asher . . .” He hasn’t moved. He’s just staring at me, and now I’m wishing for a fight with actual words because seeing how angry he is may actually kill me. “I’m not going to keep Sawyer away from Baz. He loves Baz and vice versa.”

“You’ve said that before.”

“And it’s true.” I want to cross my arms over my stomach to stop the ache I feel there. Being this close to him. Alone. It’s difficult, and I am barely holding it together. I wish I could just let him be Sebastian’s uncle. Colt’s brother.

But he’s so much more than that, and when he’s standing here right in front of me, angry and vulnerable, it’s impossible to ignore.

“I’m not going to a fucking Halloween party with Sawyer. I’m not watching you two flirt and then retreat to your room after because we both know it’s not over with you two.”

“That’s where you’re completely wrong. Asher,” I implore him to look directly at me, but he’s not. He’s looking past me, over my shoulder, “we never began. It was nothing.”

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