“Morning, baby.” I breathe in her little girl freshness.
“Gus,” she says firmly, stretching her little arms toward him. He glances up at me, silently asking if it’s okay. I don’t like her waking up with a man in my house. I don’t want to confuse her, but I know there’s a bond forming between them. I don’t want to take that away. I offer a terse nod.
“Hey, princess,” he says softly, scooping her up and pressing his forehead to hers. “What are you doing up?”
She doesn’t answer but burrows her head into his neck, already blinking drowsily and halfway back to sleep. Watching his tall frame travel back up the hall with her head resting on his shoulder twists my heart. I want to believe it, but it all feels too good to be true. August feels too good to be true, like Caleb did once. That boy who brought me coffee every day for weeks, wooing me, listening to me, and treating me kindly, he seemed too good to be true. But Caleb’s good wasn’t true. He was a cruel fraud—a mistake I made that may chase me for the rest of my life.
I finish with the bills, noting the calls I need to make for extensions until my next paycheck. Closing the laptop, I check the time to see if I can grab a few winks before I have to be up for work. If August is still down to cuddle, I’m here for that.
But when he re-enters the living room, he’s dressed in his San Diego Waves sweatshirt, a baseball cap, and his tennis shoes. Keys jingle in his hands.
“I’m gonna go.” His eyes rove around the room like he’s checking for anything he may have left, but his glance skids over me. “I need to meet my trainer soon.”
I know his schedule. He has plenty of time.
“August, I—”
“Just … it’s okay, Iris.” He walks toward the door, stopping only to drop a kiss on the top of my head. “Let’s talk later when we’re both …” He shakes his head, pulling his cap lower over his hair. “Let’s just talk later.”
The door closes be
hind him.
45
Iris
The client Jared asked me to follow up with decided not to sign. I received an email reminding me that the money for the online sports certification is due today, and I don’t have it. The daycare called me out of a meeting because Sarai bit some kid. I had to review a fifty-page contract Jared needed “like yesterday” … in five minutes.
It’s a day from hell, and it’s not even noon yet.
My email alert dings, distracting me from the branding strategy Jared asked me to tweak for a soccer player who recently signed. I open the email from human resources, and my blood pressure soars. I’m up and charging down the hall, knocking on Jared’s office door before I give myself time to cool off.
“Iris, hey,” he says, glancing up from his laptop. “Come on in.”
“Can I ask you …” My words falter. “Did August …” Shit. I know he did this, but it sounds ridiculous saying it aloud, and if I’m wrong, it will make things awkward between my boss and me.
“The email from human resources,” I start again. “It said all entry-level employees are receiving a raise, effective immediately. That our next check will reflect the increase.”
“Yes.” Jared sits back from his desk and links his hands on top of his head. “What about it?”
“Did August do that?” I rush the question before I change my mind. “For me, I mean?”
“I’m not in the habit of discussing high-level financial and human resources decisions with our entry-level employees.”
“Of course.” Embarrassment heats my cheeks and twists my insides. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”
I back out of the door, but his voice stops me.
“Iris,” he says. “Wait a second.”
I force myself to meet his eyes.
“I’ve never seen my brother like this about anyone.” He rests his elbows on the desk. “Not just since you’ve come here, but even before, when you were still with Caleb.”
“Oh, well, I—”
“Don’t hurt him.”