“Mind if I check in with you here and there to make sure?”
I’m surprised when her lips curl into a small smile. “I’d like that.”
“Okay then,” I tell her. “Call me if you need anything, even if you just need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks,” she says, glancing down between our feet. It seems like she has something to say but can’t find the words.
She points to her car door. “I’ll see you,” she says. “Thanks again for helping me last night.”
She looks so damn sad, and all I can figure is she’s going home to sit alone on her couch, thinking about what she’s done, what Keegan did, and all while going around in circles wondering if it was somehow her fault. August needs to know her life isn’t over just because Keegan decided to end his. I wish I could make her see that she’s more important than what she must assume. She has a purpose. People need her.
My move might be bold or even out of line, but it feels right. While taking August by the elbow again, I pull her in against my chest. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, and her arms comply. I didn’t think she’d reciprocate, but she’s embracing me back, nestling her head beneath my chin. August is small within my hold, but she fits perfectly somehow.
I’m the first to let go because I need to forget what I feel for her at the moment. I can’t deny the level of attraction I feel for her, but it’s consuming me—my desire to help her in any and every way. She needs a hug for more reasons than I can count, but I’m not sure if any of them correlate to anything more than the need for a friendship.
In any case, I place a quick, friendly kiss on her cheek, then sweep it away with the pad of my thumb. “My phone is always on, you hear?”
Her cheeks brighten, looking a bit sun-kissed in this early morning light. August smiles and opens the door to her Jeep. “Mine too, Chance.”
After we’ve both strapped ourselves inside our vehicles and let the rush of the moment subside, I realize it’s highly unlikely that either of us has a working phone. It’s the first thing I check before I pull out of the lot. It doesn’t look too promising because the screen is full of different colored dots, but I’m surprised there is any power at all.
I try to search for Luke’s name in my contacts to make a call and test it out, but there are no contacts, and when I call the phone service number, there’s nothing but static.
Crap. All I can hope is that the phone store can retrieve my contacts. It’s undoubtedly going to be my first stop before doing anything else today. Thankfully, they’re already open.
I make my way inside, through the glass door, the bells above me sending a shrilling sensation down my back. I wasn’t expecting it to be so loud.
Phones are on display across the vast technology establishment, and there’s a small counter in the back of the store where a young man, probably fresh out of high school, by the looks of it, waits on none other than August. I didn’t see her Jeep parked out front, but I guess she figured out her phone was a goner too.
Since this is the only place in the nearby vicinity that sells phones, I’m not surprised she’s here.
“Phones don’t swim too well, I guess,” I say aloud, hoping not to scare her by approaching from behind.
She whips around, appearing to look surprised to see me. “I didn’t think about the phone situation, I guess.”
“Yeah, we can’t live without them these days, huh?” I respond.
“Guess not,” she says.
The high school looking guy picks his head up from inspecting August’s phone. “Yeah, this thing is dead, miss.”
“All right, well, I was due for an upgrade anyhow. I’ll go with the current model if you have it in stock.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the boy says.
“Make that two,” I tell him.
“Oh, uh, did you want me to take a look at your phone, as well?” he asks.
“It’s toast. Trust me.”
The kid looks confused but heads out into the back room.
“I was hoping he could save my contacts. He said once I connect it to my computer, I should have everything back. Fingers crossed,” August says.
“I’m hoping for the same,” I tell her. “Just in case we run into any more bad luck, do you mind if I take down your number the old-fashioned way?”
As I’m asking this question and watching her eyes inspect me with wonder, I realize this morning is the first time I’ve been around her while being sober. She’s a lot sweeter without whiskey running through her blood.
