Page 35 of August

“Look.” He enunciated the word carefully, as though speaking to an angry bear. “We should talk more about this—and we will. But for now, let’s take a breather before we say things we don’t mean.”

She kept staring at him, but some of the flames left her eyes.

“Okay?” he asked, half expecting one of her tiny fists to swing at his jaw.

She lowered her gaze. “Fine.”

“Why don’t you choose a room and unpack? I’ve gotta make a call to one of the guys.” He tossed his duffel into the small eat-in kitchen and pulled out his phone.

He needed more than to call one of the guys. He needed a lifeline.

***

Tears misted Gigi’s eyes as she made her way through the open-concept space, which was beautiful and modern, probably the penthouse suite. Large windows revealed stunning views of downtown. The Pacific Ocean spread out beneath Mount Rainier like a bottle of spilled blue-green ink, stealing her breath.

If things were different, this space would be... romantic. Dreamy.

The plush white couches and cream-colored area rug stood out on the pale hardwood floors. Photographs of mountains and whales decorated the walls, giving the space a homey feel.

Down a short hallway were two doors across from each other. One held a king-sized bed, the other a queen. She opted for the queen. August’s hulking body would be too uncomfortable in the smaller bed, and she’d be lost in one so large. The rooms were mirror images of each other with different color palettes. August’s had ocean-blue and silver tones and hers had lilac and gold.

She closed the bedroom door and sat on the firm mattress staring out at the vast view. Tears spilled onto her cheeks. She dashed them away.

Ridiculous.

How could she cry right now?

Because her body still wanted his, that’s why. The moisture between her legs and her overly sensitive lady bits were constant reminders of the tease she’d just experienced.

Something had snapped in August. A resolve he’d seemingly been clinging to had given way like a worn-down dam releasing. And she’d expected more from him. Where was the guy who would have stripped her naked as soon as they entered the suite? The man who’d devoured her without restraint? The man who’d—

Stop, Gigi.

She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her fingertips to her closed lids. August wasn’t the man he’d been two years ago. He’d spoken about his time in South America as if it’d been hell. She had no idea what he’d endured. No idea what part of him had been left behind. All she had were the bits and pieces of the August who’d kissed and touched her in the elevator.

Still, if he cared about her, why was he fighting this? Because she’d gotten engaged? Well, that shitshow was definitely over. Her feelings for Todd couldn’t have been more dead if she’d strapped a bomb to them.

Sniffling, she massaged her chest. August was hurt. That was the only explanation. She couldn’t take back that phone call from two years ago, but she remembered it as if it had happened yesterday.

“I’m back, babe,” he’d said. “I missed you. Can we get together?”

To say that she’d been shocked, that the phone call had hit her right out of left field, would be a vast understatement.

“Who’s this?” she’d asked. Only because her heart wanted to believe something her mind couldn’t comprehend. Now, though, the question sounded hurtful and callous to her ears. He’d thought about her while he was away, and not a day had passed that she hadn’t done the same.

She’d assumed he was dead. He must have thought she’d forgotten him. And lord, he couldn’t have been more wrong.

“August Hick. I’m back from my mission in South America.”

“Oh my god. I’m so glad you made it home safely. Um, but... I met someone. I’m seeing someone.” And even though the words had felt like thorns in her mouth, she’d kept it at that, hanging up shortly after.

What she hadn’t realized then was that August’s call had been a sign from God. A call from a guardian angel trying to save her from Todd—and from herself.

If she’d done things differently and walked out on Todd and back into August’s arms, her entire life would be different.

She wouldn’t be fighting to stay alive.

Joe wouldn’t have died.

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