30. Vivienne
30
VIVIENNE
A sher and Sawyer talking together can’t be a good idea. And with the way they both keep looking over at me, I would say they’re talking about me.
That really can’t be good.
“Hi, you’re Baz’s mom, right?” I’m distracted by a man walking toward me with his hand held out. Taking in his handsome face and kind eyes. I would say he’s about ten, maybe even fifteen, years older than me, but definitely attractive.
I take his hand as he shakes it. “Yes. Hi, I’m Vivienne.”
He smiles again and releases my hand. “Aaron. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about Baz.”
“You have?”
He nods his head toward a pretty little girl in pigtails, dressed up as Skye from Paw Patrol. “That’s my daughter, Jacee.”
I smile, seeing Baz entertaining her with his crazy antics and think that Lincoln and Asher may have been right about him having a crush.
“Ah yes. I’ve heard a lot about her too.”
“I believe she’s quite taken with your son.”
I watch them and am instantly happy Baz is social. Even if he’s young, it’s a good feeling. I didn’t have a social life, even in kindergarten. I wasn’t allowed to have friends over or spend very much time with other children.
My parents only expected excellence academically, and there was no time for socialization. “I think it’s very sweet.”
He nods in agreement, sipping the punch Lola made. “Yeah, until they’re older. Then it will be terrifying.”
I laugh at that, but honestly I don’t want to think about Sebastian getting older and dating. I want him to stay my baby a little while longer. “Is Jacee’s mother here?”
He shakes his head, his gaze darkening slightly. “No. We aren’t together. We split holidays, and I got Halloween.”
Well, this feels awkward all of a sudden, especially when I feel Asher’s gaze on me from across the room, and I look at him with quiet curiosity. He stares with disdain before I look away from him and back to Aaron. “What about Baz’s dad?”
And there’s that sinking feeling in my stomach I always get when I have to explain what happened. It shouldn’t be this difficult. I didn’t love Colt. Our conceiving Baz wasn’t from teenage love. It was a moment of lust and then a lifetime of never knowing who he was. “He um . . .” My eyes meet Asher’s again as my voice turns to a whisper. “He died.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.” He’s sounds genuine enough. “And where does Mr. Sterling fit into all of this?”
I pull my gaze away from Asher when he asks that and forgot for a moment that Asher is Jacee’s teacher. “He is Colt’s, Baz’s father’s, brother.”
He nods. “Ah, I guess I see the resemblance.”
“So, you’re doing this all on your own?”
I’m starting to get annoyed with his prying, but I know how much Baz likes Jacee. I don’t want to hurt their friendship because I’m getting a creepy vibe from her dad. And I could be overreacting. People are curious. “No. I’m not.” I smile as I look around the room and realize that’s true. “I have Asher and The Joker there.” I nod toward Ash and Sawyer, who seem awfully chummy and I wonder if there’s hope for them. Then I gesture toward Penelope and Linc, who are dancing with a group of kids. “And Batman and Cat Woman. Batman is Colt’s other brother.”
Aaron smiles at that. “I see.”
I point toward Lola and Hayden last. “And then, of course, Aquaman and Harley Quinn.”
He leers at Lola a little too long. “And who are they?”
“The hot, crazy looking blonde is Baz’s aunt, but be careful looking too long because Aquaman is quite possessive.”
He grins, his gaze turning back toward me and lets his knuckles graze down the length of my bare arm, making me feel naked and vulnerable. “That’s okay. I was always partial to Wonder Woman myself.”
I feel dirty the way he’s looking at me, and I take a step back, smiling politely but wanting to get far away from him. When I back up, it’s into a hard body.
“Mr. Kincaid.”
Aaron’s eyes lock on Asher’s behind me. “Mr. Sterling. I didn’t know you would be at the party.”
“It’s my house and my nephew, of course.”
He nods again curtly, and it’s clear there’s animosity between the men. “I didn’t know Baz was your nephew.” He looks over at the kids playing, and his eyes flick to me. “Good thing he has such a wonderful mother to keep his nose clean.”
I hear a growl bubbling up from Asher and turn around to face him, pushing my hands on his chest to nudge him back. “Asher, can you help me in the kitchen please?”
His jaw ticks as he looks over at Jacee’s dad, but then he takes a deep breath and looks down at me, nodding. “Yeah.”
I turn back to Aaron. “Enjoy the party. I have to go grab some more snacks.”
I have to drag Asher away and into the kitchen, but when we enter that room, he swiftly cages me in-between his long arms, trapping me against the counter as his palms rest on the top. “He touched you.”
“I didn’t want him to.” My breath is raspy and rapid from the close contact.
“Stay away from him, Viv. He’s not a good man.”
I study his face and can tell he’s completely serious. “He seems harmless. Maybe a little creepy, but I’m not sure he’s a villain, Superman.”
He rolls his eyes at me, only leaning further into my personal space, and I can’t lie—I like it. “Just for once, trust me.”
“I have no interest in him anyway. You don’t have to worry.”
He pushes off the counter but doesn’t move. “I’m not worried.”
I smile, taking in his Superman costume and thinking about him telling me I looked hot earlier. He’s the epitome of the perfect male specimen. Most men would have to opt for the costume with added muscles, but Asher didn’t need them. The spandex molds to each dip of carved perfection, and it makes me ache for him.
But he doesn’t want more, Vivienne.
I try to force myself to listen to my own reasoning.
But when he grins at me and gestures for me to go back to the party with him, I know deep down . . .
My resolve is weakening.