I swallowed. “Both of you.Eitherof you. I don’t want to get either of you introuble.”
Nelson and Isobel were still outside on the patio, speaking quietly. Was it about us? Even though she’d given me her blessing, her anguish waspalpable.
“It’s a shortride.”
I sighed and put my phone away. “Okay.”
I prayed Liam wouldn’t find out and challenge Cassandra to punish me fordisobeying.
As we made our way to the pickup, August kept casting concerned glances myway.
Only when I was settled in the car did he ask, “What did my mother say? Did she try to talk you out of being withme?”
I fingered the hem of my dress, not quite daring to look at him. “She reminded me that I hadoptions.”
“Options?” His voice was low andrough.
“She told me I could let the Winter Solstice go by before deciding.” I raised my gaze back to his. “That you’dunderstand.”
Would he,though?
His lips parted a little, then pressed tight. I sensed he didn’t want me to choose that option. I sensed he feared that the disappearance of the bond would lead to the disappearance of my feelings forhim.
I guessed neither of us could be sure itwouldn’t.
Perhaps tomorrow’s trip wouldn’t be so unwelcomed after all. At least it would shed light on how I really felt about him since the bond wouldvanish.
When we arrived in front of my apartment, I didn’t linger in the car, afraid someone would spot us and report toLiam.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” August asked after I’d hoppedout.
My heart, which had been beating double-time since we’d left his parents’ place,stilled.
Should I tellhim?
“I wanted to show you something,” hesaid.
I opened mymouth.
Tolie.
Or at least that had been my intent, but he would sense I was out of Boulder. Besides, I didn’t want to lie to him. “I’m going withLiam.”
His Adam’s apple seemed suddenly spikier. “If I hadn’t asked, would you have toldme?”
“No.”
He dropped his gaze to his illuminated dashboard, featurestightening.
“I was afraid you’d torture yourself with what I could be doing with him in a place where the bond doesn’t affect mybody.”
His wolf must’ve been close to the surface because his eyes shone like emeralds. Jaw barely budging, he muttered something that sounded like,If Cassandra doesn’t kill him, I might.“I know the Rivers. I’ll come too,then.”
My heart twitched back to life. “August—”
“Unless you don’t want methere.”
I pressed my lips together. I wanted him there, but I also wanted him to trust me. Besides, I needed to know what distance did to us. If not now, then later, but later might hurtmore.
