Jacinta thanks her and walks out.
When she’s gone, Shandy shuts the door, and both sets of eyes lock on mine.
“Why does she need a sitter, brother?” Rylee asks.
“She’s attending a dinner with me.” My sister’s brows rise. “Strictly work. Don’t get any ideas. I would never, ever touch that.”
I shiver at the thought.
That’s a big no.
Shandy gives me some sort of weird look before she averts her eyes, and Rylee offers me a sad smile.
Chapter 4
Jacinta
I would never, ever touch that.
I heard him say the words, and as I pull up at the front of August’s house, that’s all that runs through my mind.
Is there something wrong with me?
How come no one ever loves me?
Why am I so broken?
“Jacinta?” August opens my car door, and I smile at him as I slide out of my car. Oliver gets out next and hugs August’s legs. I watch as Oliver runs off in the yard.
“I’m kind of broken, aren’t I?” I ask August, my eyes slowly finding his.
If anyone understands, it will be him.
August went from having the shittiest mother to ending up in prison. Then finding a love he thought he never deserved. Then me.
Oliver runs back and clings to August’s leg.
“Jacinta.” He shakes his head and looks down at Oliver. “Go inside, buddy. Winter is waiting for you.”
Oliver nods and heads into the house. I watch him go and hope I’m raising him right, that I’m not making him feel less worthy than I feel.
Because honestly, I feel like a failure.
I look up at August, into his beautiful, kind eyes. How could anyone see a monster there when all I see is someone who was willing to give me a chance and protect me when no one else would. He may have never loved me, but somewhere along the line, I loved him.
“Thanks for this. Mr. Harley requested I go to a meeting with him tonight, and I can’t afford to lose this job.” My hand pushes my hair back over my shoulder while August shakes his head.
“Beckham is an ass to work for. Everyone knows it.”
“So I’ve heard,” I say. But I thought if I stayed out of his way and did the job I am paid for it wouldn’t be such a big issue. I guess I was wrong.
“If you need money, Jacinta, ask. I’m happy to help you and Oliver out, you know this.” I look past him and see Rylee at the door. She offers me a wave before she walks back inside. She has a lot of faith in him, and I don’t blame her. August is crazy in love with her. All he sees is her. Even when I tried to make him see me, it was only glimpses.
“I don’t need money. The work I do pays well. Mr. Harley pays well …” I pause. “It’s just harder than I thought it would be.”
His hand reaches out, and he touches my shoulder. “Jacinta.” His green eyes hold empathy.
I shrug his hand off me. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Oliver should be okay until I’m back. I don’t know what time that will be, though.”
“Oliver can stay the night. I have his room still set up. Go. Have a kid-free night. Rylee mentioned you probably need one.” His hands slide into his pockets.
“She really is amazing,” I say more to myself than anyone else. He knows who I’m talking about right away. “I mean, I knew it.” I shrug.
“There isn’t anything wrong with you. You know that, right?”
“So I keep telling myself, but somehow, the world keeps showing me otherwise.”
“You have bad taste in men, is all.” He winks, and it’s one of the first times I’ve seen him joke.
“Happiness looks good on you,” I tell him honestly. It’s true. It really looks amazing on him. “I have to go. Call me if he needs me, right?” I ask.
August nods and watches as I get back in my car. I glance back to the house, and he offers me a small smile before I drive off.
I didn’t know what to wear, but my guess would be anything but casual. And as I get out of the taxi, I see I’m right. I spot Mr. Harley straight away, his suit as immaculate as it is every day. But tonight’s is all black, even the undershirt, with gold cufflinks, and somehow that makes him appear even more intimidating.
He doesn’t spot me straight away as he’s typing away on his phone, oblivious to the world around him. Women walk by. They stop and stare. Hell, I damn well stare. He may be young, but he carries himself well.
My long, purple dress just barely drags on the floor, even with my heels on. I’m short, but luckily for me, I learned to sew and can hem my own dresses. I make my way to where he’s standing and stop in front of him.