I shrug. “I don’t think so. He’s not a fan of me. I just don’t think he thinks I’m good enough for his son.” I repeat the phrase without saying my worst fear.
“Explain what you mean by that,” Amelia asks me.
I sigh and shake my head.
“Come on, Hen, what’s going on? Why do you think that you’re not good enough for August based on Maxwell’s opinion?” Cassie asks.
I sigh and look down at the table. I can’t meet their eyes when I say this. “Because I don’t look like the girls that August usually brings home. You have seen them. They are super skinny andthey are usually so bouncy and bubbly. All of those things that I am not. I’m the least feminine girl that he has ever dated, and I don’t think that Maxwell likes that about me,” I admit the truth.
I feel arms wrap around me, and a long strand of blonde hair finds its way into my field of vision. Mac is holding me. I reach up and put my hand on top of hers.
“I’m fine,” I tell her.
“Uh-uh, I know you’re fine. I just want to hug you because I have a feeling that you need it right now,” she replies, giving me a quick squeeze. “You are good enough for him, you know that, right?”
I nod slowly. “I’m just not who he picked for his son.”
I look up in time to see Amelia and Cassie exchange a look.
“I don’t think it matters to August what his father thinks of you this time,” Cassie replies.
“I think that it always starts out like that. It did in college,” I say, shaking my head. “But then when his dad saw us together, he told August to leave me. I’m afraid he will do the same thing now.
“Are you worried that he’s going to flip-flop?” Mac asks me, leaning down beside me.
“I didn’t think he would flip-flop last night,” I reply, looking in her eyes, which are so full of worry right now. “I know I screwed things up by getting involved with him. It’s never an easy road with him.”
“It’s not. But I could have sworn that you thought that this was worth it. It is, isn’t it?” Mac strokes my arm, watching me.
“It is,” I say carefully. “But what will it matter if it ends the same way as before?”
“You just have to have a little faith. And lucky for you, you have us to help you get ready this time,” Amelia says, grinning at me. “We’ll make you look so glamours that his father will bepleased that you are on his arm. Because, I mean, come on, Hen, how could he not like having you on his son’s arm.”
I grin at them for the first time since I brought I tup. “I appreciate you helping me look nice for it. I really do. I just can’t let myself get too comfortable because what if it all goes away?”
I admit the fear that’s been unspoken since it all started.
“You don’t know that it will,” Cassie reminds me. “August is older now and he’s an established businessman. I think it’s going to be fine.”
I hope she’s right. I don’t say that out loud.
“August loves you. He might not have said it, but Dex says that you are the only one that he has seen like this,” Amelia says, reaching over and squeezing my hand. “It’s going to be just fine, Hendrix, we are here for you. Nothing bad is going to happen when you have us in your corner.”
I look around at them and grin. “I do. And I so appreciate that. It’s going to be fine,” I say, but I’m sure I don’t sound so convincing.
“Look you’re right to be cautious. It’s a good thing that you’re being careful. But don’t let it keep you from something wonderful that is happening with the two of you.” Mac leans over and gives me another squeeze.
“Yeah, you’re right.” I say, hugging her. “I appreciate you all so much.”
“And we love you,” Cassie says, leaning over the table and touching my hand.
I grin and say nothing more about it. I feel better now knowing that they are going to be helping me get ready for the event. And August will be with me. I trust him that nothing bad is going to happen to me while he’s there. They are right, he’s a stronger man than he was back in college.
I’ve got this and, more importantly,we’vegot this.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
~AUGUST~
