Restrictions (Sterling Family #2)

34. Vivienne

34

VIVIENNE

“ W ait for me!” Baz runs after Asher as they go to wash their hands before dinner in the hall bathroom, and Sawyer sets the table for me while I finish cooking.

I’m getting pretty good, and the pasta I made smells incredible.

“That smells good.” See?

I smile at Sawyer as he sits on one of the barstools at the island in the kitchen.

“Thanks. Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells.”

Sawyer looks at me, his eyes sparkling with their usual mischief, and I can see why he and Asher are friends. They’re so damn similar.

Even the same playful smirk. Although, I’ve seen Asher’s serious side, and I’ve never seen Sawyer’s.

“You’re really going to California tomorrow?”

“Yes.” I turn the burner off under the pan of sauce and turn to Sawyer, hearing the uncertainty in his voice. “Why?”

His large shoulders shrug, but his handsome face shows the concern I heard in his voice. Is this him being serious? This is odd timing. “Thanksgiving with the Sterlings.”

“I spent last Thanksgiving with the Sterlings.” I fold my arms over my stomach and lean against the stove. “Why is it so different if it’s in California rather than here? ”

His bottom lip pokes out as if he’s thinking. “I hear they actually have sunshine in November. That could be cool.”

Nope. Not serious.

I roll my eyes but shake my head from side to side smiling because Sawyer is starting to grow on me. He’s been around more and more without anyone else with him. And Baz adores him too.

Not an easy feat. My kid gains love and attention everywhere he goes, but you have to earn his.

And Sawyer has.

“Sawyer, just tell me what you want to say.”

He steps off the barstool and walks to me, his tall frame towering over mine. I never really realized how tall he is. He may even have an inch or two on Asher. “I knew the moment you two started fucking.” I might actually have just gulped as I look up at him, slightly horrified by his brash statement. “They will too.”

“They?”

He nods. “The Sterlings. They’re smart. Nora...” He shrugs his shoulders. “She might not. She’ll probably be trying to make peace between Linc and Ash.”

“What is it with them anyway?”

He shakes his head. “He doesn’t talk about it. But this trip... Viv, it isn’t going to be fun.”

I don’t want to believe him. I know Asher is nervous and not excited, but I have to believe that once they are all under the same roof, it will be fine. They love each other. I know they all do. “It could be. Maybe they just need more time together. I remember them in school, Sawyer. They were all close.”

“Were they?”

He’s serious now, and it gives me a chill. “I...” I stutter.

“Look, Lola, she’s fucking smart—really fucking smart. And Linc—he’ll know. They’ll both know, and they’ll both take issue with it.”

I take a step back, feeling defensive. “We aren’t doing anything wrong.”

“Then why are you hiding it?”

Jesus . I glare up into his eyes. “What I do in my bedroom is nobody’s business. ”

“Maybe, but there’s bad blood there, especially between brothers. And you’re going right into the war zone.”

I shake my head, my hand sliding over my throat as I swallow the impending chaotic feeling brewing. “They were fine at the wedding.”

“Were they around each other?”

I think about the wedding. They were only together at the beginning when Penelope and Lincoln showed up and never alone. “They’re brothers.”

“Brothers are complicated.”

“What’s up?”

We both turn at the sound of Asher’s voice as Baz and he enter the kitchen. I clear my throat, grabbing the pot with the sauce. “Can one of you please grab the pasta?”

I take off toward the table with Baz in tow as Asher walks to the stove, his eyes on Sawyer as he grabs the pasta, and we all sit down at the table together.

Asher eyes Sawyer with suspicion, and I try not to let the thoughts creep in.

I know this trip won’t be easy, but Nora sounded so desperate to have Asher there. Maybe I pulled out a slightly disgusting ploy and used his love for Baz a tiny bit. But Baz really would be upset without Asher there.

And so would I.

So what if his family finds out we occasionally have sex?

Okay, yeah. That would be bad.

Shit. Sawyer is right.

This trip is going to be awful.