August was the only person I allowed to give me the validation I needed without asking for it. But then I expected it every day. I relied on him for it. He knew the darkness I had buried deep inside me. We bonded becauseof our own personal struggles, and I think that’s why it was so easy for me to get attached to him.
Every word I said to him was true and still is. He’s intelligent, kind, and capable of doing anything he puts his mind to. He’s special to me. August was my safe space.
“Hey, sunshine,” August whispers in a gravelly voice.
I can feel the bass deep in my belly, sending shockwaves between my legs. The hair on my nape stands as I repress a shiver. Pulling myself together, I stop what I’m doing and turn to him with a neutral look. I take quick glances at his thick, brown hair and his black circular glasses. I’ve always loved a man in glasses.
But I go back to his blue eyes that I dream about when I’m asleep. The color reminds me of an iceberg submerged in the ocean.“Hi, Augustus,” I breathe.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him fold his arms across his chest. His biceps flex.
“Nice paint job.”
I nudge his arm playfully with my elbow. “If you think it’s so nice, then I guess we don’t need your help.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” A playful smirk pulls at his lips, and my traitorous eyes bounce to them.
“It’d be the greatest gift you could give me.”
When he walks around me, I feel the warmth of his body radiate off him. He smells like clean laundry and summer air.
“Oh, come on. You know you love my company.” His tone is borderline flirtatious and teasing.
I turn my gaze on him and almost yelp when I notice how close his face is to mine. The grin on his face is playful, while I narrow my eyes at him.
“Go away,” I say while I fight back the grin that wants to betrayme.
“Whatever you say, sunshine.” He twirls around me, and a faint brush of his arm against my back causes me to flinch. “Hand me a brush, El. I’m ready to paint.”
Once he gets his hand on one, he tosses it in the air, catching it by the handle. Just when I think he can’t show off enough, he winks at me.
“Ro and I are gonna start on the other side of the bakery,” Ellie says. “You guys can stay here.”
I widen my eyes and frown, internally begging her not to leave me.
She steps closer to me and says, “You’ll be fine. It’s just August.”
Just August.I love my best friend, but I’d like to strangle her right about now. Ellie can read me like a book; she knows what I’m thinking before I say it aloud. There’s a part of me that wants to ask if she knows—anything about the way I feel toward her brother.
I’m too much of a wimp to ever bring it up because of the wholehoes before brosdeal. And this is her brother. It’s all too messy.
“You’re pretty good at this.” August looks over at my work, admiring it, before getting back to his. “Mine is better.”
I gape and laugh. “You’re such an ass.”
“But I’m a cute ass.”
“You’re… fine.”
“Fine?I’mfine?” He presses a hand to his chest. “I can actually feel my heart rip in two. Riley Lewis thinks I’m justfine.My diary isn’t going to be too pleased to hear this.”
“What would you like me to say?” I tilt my head just the slightest to meet his eyes, and I want to melt when I’m trapped under his gaze.
“That I’m the handsomest, smartest, sexiest man you know.” He shrugs. “Nothing too complex.”
“Are you okay?” I point to the door. “Do I need to let some fresh air in from the paint fumes seeping into your brain?”
“Have I ever told you how cute you are when you get annoyed at me?”
