“What?”
“Do you know how long I’ve been pushing you guys together? I mean, yeah, it’s weird that you’re now dating my best friend, but god, you guys were insufferable.”
“So, I wasn’t going crazy. You really were trying to get us together.”
“In a sense, yes. But I couldn’t do everything for you guys.”
“What if you regret it? What if we don’t work out?”
She cackles. “Seriously? You guys went this long pining over each other, and now you finally have it. You guys aren’t gonna let it go that easily.”
I slip my hands into my pockets. "Okay, so, you're okay with this?"
"I mean, it's weird, but I'll get over it like I did before.” She grimaces. “Just don't kiss in front of me or anything like that."
"I can't help when I have the urge to lay one on her." I turn to start walking.
"Yuck, stop it."
“Now you know how I feel when you’re all over Rowan in front of me.”
Ellie shoves me off the sidewalk and into the grass as we continue walking.
FORTY-THREE
AUGUST
I can't believe Dad changed his mind. He was so set on not having that surgery, and he changed his mind, just like that. I know the one person who may have done that.
When I get to James and Beau's parents' house, I knock on the dark wooden door. The stained window that runs down the middle of it shows a shadow walking in front of it.
The door opens, and I see Beau standing in front of me... with a mustache. How long has it been since I’ve seen him? Then again, the guy is a bit hairy.
"How the hell did you grow a mustache that fast?" I ask in shock and awe.
He leans his arm up against the doorframe and gives me a cocky grin. "Looks good, doesn't it?" Not a question, but a statement.
"I just saw you last week, and all you had was stubble. Now you have stubble and a stash." My mouth dips down. "Not bad."
Beau scratches across his chest, his dark shirt tugging at the movement. "Yup, James and I have a bet on who can grow a mustache faster."
"I did see him the other day. It was coming in nicely, but I think you're going to be the winner." I clap a couple of times, celebrating his victory.
"The ladies are obsessed with it. Who knew?"
I drag a hand through my hair, the warm wind blowing it. "Well, as much as I'd love to keep talking to you about your mustache, I was wondering if your dad is home?"
"Yeah, we were just about to have lunch.” He opens the door to let me in. “You can join us if you want."
"Shit, well, if I knew you were having lunch together, I wouldn't have come."
"Get in here," Beau says, pulling at my shoulder and launching me into the house. He stands a couple of inches taller than me and can throw me like a football if he wanted to. He closes the door and walks toward the kitchen with me following behind. "Dad, August's here. He needs to talk to you." Beau shouts through the halls.
We get to the kitchen, and the patio door is open. Their beagle, Molly, shakes her entire butt when she sees me through the screen. She gives me a deep howl of excitement.
"Hey, Molly," I coo.
Beau opens the screen door, and Molly barrels past his legs, straight to me. I drop to my knees and catch her in my arms when she throws herself at me. I've never been good at controlling her excitement and usually give in, letting her do whatever she wants.
