Page 82 of Restorations

But now I see everything is exactly how it was meant to be.

43

ASHER

ONE YEAR LATER

Our wedding was perfect. Pretty much like Lola’s except it was in our backyard, not hers. Baz was my best man. Everyone else was in the very small audience, including Sawyer.

Yes. Sawyer.

I couldn’t help it. I let the fucker back in. He never loved Viv, but I get why he wanted to. I get why she wanted to love him too.

And he’s the best friend I've ever had since Colt.

“I’m so fucking glad you aren’t just a sad, pathetic, broken motherfucker like I thought.” I shake my head as Sawyer lifts a glass to his lips.

“This is why we didn’t have a toast.”

It’s just him and me right now since Vivienne, my new wife, is dancing with Hayden. “I’m so happy for you, man.”

“One joke about how you’ve been inside my wife, and I swear to Christ I will punch you in the fucking face.”

He chuckles at that, knowing damn well I’ll do it. “That’s disgusting,” he jokes, and with a sly smirk he adds, “and I have.”

“I’m going to go to jail on my wedding day.”

He laughs easily. “Okay, I'll stop. But if shit gets too boring in your matrimony, you can always count on me. I’ll be your third as long as your dick stays away from me.”

I roll my eyes. “Jesus Christ. Only you would be thinking about threesomes on my wedding day.”

He shrugs. “I’m just being a good best friend.”

“Yeah well, you better file away those memories for your spank bank because you’re never touching her again.”

He takes another drink, but he doesn’t look at her like a lost love. I know it wasn’t real love with them, maybe it was just getting through while they suffered.

“It’s not too late, man. You could call her.”

Now he swallows hard, the bitterness replacing the happiness there just moments ago. “Nah, I fucked that up good.”

“People change. Viv and I made it. Maybe you and Piper can too.”

He looks distant now, the only time he’s serious is when he’s thinking about her. “She’s working for my brother.” Oh. Shit. He takes a drink, his eyes darkening. “Probably fucking him by now.”

“She wouldn’t fuck that asshole.”

His eyes meet mine. “Why wouldn’t she? It’s the perfect revenge.”

I would love to say his brother wouldn’t do that to him, but he definitely would. His brother hates him. And the feeling is mutual.

“It can’t hurt to try, man. You have her initial inked on your chest. You clearly still have feelings for her.”

“Stupid drunken mistake.” He grins and places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m happy with you being the one who made it, man. You deserve it. And I guess I'm just going to have to settle for fucking nameless, faceless women forever.”

I roll my eyes, knowing he’s trying his best to make it seem like he’s fine.

Vivienne and Baz walk over, and Baz jumps into my arms and then waves at Sawyer.

---