Page 8 of Restorations

I don’t believe him. I mean, I know he’s here for Baz, but I can feel how upset he is with me. I think about last night with Sawyer in my bed with Asher next door, trying not to cringe. “I didn’t know you were here or . . .”

Again, he cuts me off and shrugs his large shoulders. “You know what? Don’t even worry about keeping it down.” He lifts his t-shirt from his body, and I freeze, trying not to let my gaze drift over his muscular body that’s only gotten better over the last year. “I don’t really mind listening to you moan. Kind of nostalgic.”

Asshole.

He grabs a black button-down shirt and pulls it over his shoulders, starting to button it. “There are no rules here. You have Sawyer, and I'll have whoever.”

I fold my arms. “I don’t have Sawyer.”

Why did I say that?

His eyebrows pinch together as he finishes buttoning his shirt. “I’m pretty sure you had him last night.”

I huff. “I mean there’s no relationship there with him.”

Shut. Up. Viv.

He shrugs his shoulders again, seemingly unaffected by that bit of information. “Not surprising, but what the fuck was the last year?” Then he smiles. “He really was just my replacement, huh?”

I shake my head, so irritated I want to scream. He told me Sawyer would just be a replacement for him. I don’t want him thinking that. “No. We were taking it slow.”

He laughs with no humor. “Yeah. Sawyer doesn’t do slow.” He runs a comb through his hair. “And he doesn’t do commitment. Guess you found that out.”

Smug bastard.I shouldn’t have given him an edge, and I have no idea why I did. It just never really evolved into an actual relationship with Sawyer. We care about each other, but I think it’s become pretty clear to both of us that it’ll never be love.

“It wasn’t just him.” I try to throw my own nonchalance out there, but I can’t pull it off as well as he can. “I’m young, and I'm not so sure I want to be in a fully committed relationship. I like the idea of dating around.”

“Huh.” That’s all the asshole says as he places the comb back on the dresser and turns to face me.

“Huh?”

“Maybe youarea Tinder girl after all.” He walks closer to me, his scent invading my senses and threatening to make me stupid all over again. “Then again, you were awfully sure you wanted commitment with me.”

I glare at him. “Stupid moment of weakness. Clearly, I was completely wrong.”

He just chuckles. “Yeah, well. This was fun, but I’m late for my date.”

“Date?”Is he fucking serious?

“Yeah.” He smirks, but it’s missing the playfulness it used to contain. “Date.”

“You’ve been here for less than twenty-four hours.”

“The flight attendant was super friendly.” He heads for the door, tugging it open before looking back at me over his shoulder. “Don’t believe what they say about California. I find it has some super nice people.” He waves as he turns to leave. “Have fun with Sawyer. And Tinder or whatever the fuck.”

He leaves, and I stand there, dumbfounded.

Maybe he doesn’t hate me after all. Maybe he really is just indifferent.

4

ASHER

What the fuck is she trying to do to me?Telling me she’s sorry? Telling me she and Sawyer aren’t in a relationship?

What in the ever-loving fuck?

She moved here for him. And now they aren’t even a couple?

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