Page 68 of Restorations

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t be having sex in public if you don’t want anyone to know about it.”

“Lols . . .”

I have nothing to say really, but I'm trying to delay the inevitable. “What the hell are you doing, Asher? I specifically told you, you can stay here unless you decide to torture Viv.”

I scoff at that and take a quick drink of my coffee. “Please. That was hardly torture.”

“She’s in love with you. Every kiss. Every touch. Every single thing with you is torture when you don’t mean it.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing she’s right. And I have no argument because I already know. “You think it’s not torture for me too?”

She doesn’t seem mad. Honestly, she seems sympathetic as she places a hand on my arm. “It’s okay to love her too.”

I stare at her in deep confusion. “What? I thought you didn’t want us together either?”

She takes a deep breath and admits easily. “I was wrong.”

“What?”

She offers a kind smile. “Asher, you’ve changed so damn much in the last year. You graduated. You have a career molding young minds. You’re a strong, amazing man.” I don’t know how to take the compliment other than make a lame joke, but I'm trying to be mature, so I keep my mouth shut and let her continue. “I hope this doesn’t sound condescending, but I'm so proud of you.” I hear her voice catch with emotion, and I know it’s hard for her to say the next thing, but she boldly lifts her chin and meets my eyes dead-on. “He would be proud.”

My eyes automatically go to Baz, knowing she’s talking about Colt. I don’t need this shit right before work. I don’t want to think about all of this. I’ve wanted to make him proud since the day he died, maybe before that.

“Thank you,” I choke out, and thankfully she doesn’t push me. Lola’s good at that. She makes you think but doesn’t really force you to respond.

“Go teach.”

I nod and then address Baz, who’s still at the table, “I’m going to go shower, then we’ll go. Okay?”

He gives me the same thumbs up he gave Viv, and I grin before leaving to go get ready for the day.

Everything seems oddly calm and at the same time out of my control.

And I have no idea if that’s a good thing or not.

34

VIVIENNE

Istarted my day off working with Lola, but she went to take care of a meeting around noon, and I spent the rest of the day with Penelope. Which has been a blast. I couldn’t ask for better coworkers. When we’re heading back home, I can’t help but think about my conversation with Asher on the beach last night. If I'm honest, that’s where my mind was most of the day.

I know I shouldn’t pry. That it’s really not any of my business, but I have to.

“Penelope?” She glances over at me from the driver’s seat.

“Yes?”

I suddenly feel nervous. I don’t have any right to ask her about Colt, and I’m about to chicken out.

“What’s going on with you?”

“What?” I look at her with wide eyes as she focuses on the road even though we’re stuck in traffic at the moment and barely creeping along.

Her small shoulders lift as she holds onto the steering wheel. “You seem a little . . .” I think she’s looking for a nice way to say it, “distracted.”

Yeah, that’s a nice way to put it. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“So spill. Is it Asher?”

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