Page 50 of August and the Night

"August," I begin tentatively, "about what I told you last night..."

He glances at me, his expression guarded. "Layla, can we not talk about it right now?"

I nod, understanding his reluctance. We continue our walk in silence, the weight of our unspoken conversation hanging heavy between us.

As we meander through the resort, we enter a quaint little art gallery. The vibrant paintings and sculptures on display catch my eye, and I suggest that we take a look inside. August agrees, and we step into the world of art.

The gallery is a serene oasis, the vibrant colors and creative expressions of the artists serving as a welcome distraction. We move from one piece to another, discussing our interpretations and impressions. It's a small respite from the tensions of the morning, and I find myself enjoying our shared experience.

Amidst the art, I notice a particularly captivating painting. It's a surreal landscape, with vivid colors and dreamlike imagery. I'm drawn to it, unable to tear my gaze away. As I stand there, August comes up beside me, and for a moment, we're lost in the beauty of the artwork.

"It's mesmerizing, isn't it?" I say softly, my eyes still fixed on the painting.

August nods, his voice equally hushed. "Yeah, it's like stepping into another world."

We stand there for a while, simply absorbing the art. It's a moment of connection, a fleeting escape from the complexities of our relationship.

After we leave the art gallery, we decide to head back to our cabin to rest before dinner. The day has been eventful, and the tension between us has eased, if only slightly. As we enter our cabin, I can't help but feel a sense of uncertainty about what the future holds for us. But for now, I push those thoughts aside and focus on enjoying the rest of our vacation together.

39

Layla

August and I finally make our way back to the cabin. As we settle inside, I can't stop myself from reaching out to Lily. I need to know more about Dante, the man who seems to have a connection to her.

Dialing Lily's number, I wait anxiously for her to pick up. Her voice finally comes through the line, a mix of surprise and happiness in her tone. "Layla! It's been a while, how are you?"

A smile tugs at my lips at the sound of her voice. "I'm doing well. Listen, I need to ask you about something."

Her curiosity piqued, Lily replies, "Sure, what's on your mind?"

I take a deep breath, my curiosity and excitement mingling. "There's this man, Dante, who approached August and me at breakfast. He mentioned working with you. Who is he to you?"

There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Lily speaks, her voice slightly flustered. "Dante? Oh, um… we work together, yeah. He's just a colleague."

I raise an eyebrow, sensing something more in her words. "Just a colleague? Are you sure, Lily?"

She lets out a soft chuckle, the tension in her voice evident. "Yeah, Layla. There's really nothing between us."

I can't help but press further, a mischievous grin forming on my lips. "Oh come on, Lily. He's smoking hot. You should consider dropping Oliver and giving Dante a chance."

A low growl emanates from Lily, the jealousy in her voice evident. "Layla, don't start."

I burst into laughter, the image of Lily's reaction playing in my mind. "Oh, come on, Lily. You know I'm just teasing. Besides, August is way more handsome than Dante."

Lily's tone softens slightly, though she remains defensive. "Yeah, yeah. Look, I gotta go. Just drop it, okay?"

I giggle, unable to resist teasing her a bit more. "Alright, alright. Take care, Lily."

With a huff of exasperation, Lily hangs up, leaving me with a grin on my face. As I put my phone down, I can't help but chuckle at the thought of her reaction.

I startle as I turn around to find August leaning against the doorframe. I put my hand on my heart as it races, not expecting to find him there.

“You think Dante is hot, huh?” He growls, and I flush. The silliness of the situation doesn't go over my head, and I explode in laughter. The sound causes his lips to tip up in a small smile.

“The only thing that saved your ass some spanking was you saying I was much more handsome than Dante," he admits in a gruff voice, and even more giggles escape me.

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