it is. Over time, business becomes more of a lover than your partner.”
“Maybe when you marry for love, you’ll feel differently.”
I shoved my hands into the pockets of my pants and clenched my fists. “I married for love with Declan’s mother.”
The elevator came to a halt, and the doors opened. August gestured for me to go ahead of him, and I tried to push his chivalrous gestures from my mind. Either this young man was coming on to me, or he was treating me like I was old.
The last thought irritated me to no end.
“I think I can make it across the lobby without falling over my own two feet,” I grumbled.
God, I really hate weddings.
August chuckled, but at least he didn’t take my arm again like I was an invalid.
“I’d rather not take the risk. If you’re to be believed, Declan put me up to this, and if he ever found out I let you cross the lobby alone, he might disown me. I’d be cut off from the family fortune. Ostracized. Banished from town.”
Despite my tipsy effort to be stoic where he was concerned, my lips twitched, then separated into a smile, and I was chuckling alongside him. This banter with him had successfully lightened my mood.
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him to join me on my ride. Anywhere. We didn’t need a destination. It was easy talking to him when I wasn’t questioning my misplaced attraction to him.
“You should do that more often.”
His comment pulled me from my thoughts as we exited the hotel. “Do what?”
“Laugh. Genuinely. It suits you.”
My shoulders stiffened. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I see enough, Charles, and you don’t have to pretend with me. I told you the last time that you could call me if you ever want to talk. The offer still stands.”
For the first time since I’d met him, he pissed me off. Why did he have to assume that something was wrong with me? That I needed his help? I couldn’t get the image of him and Declan whispering to each other on the dance floor from my mind. Had Declan really talked to August about me?
It sucked that my only son already thought me incapable of doing anything without him. Incapable of managing the business…my personal life. It was a wonder he’d found the time to go on a honeymoon.
“I have a professional shrink if I ever need to talk.”
I lengthened my strides to break away from the way we walked in sync with each other. I was barely two steps ahead when he gripped my shoulder.
“Charles, I think you got the wrong impression.”
I glared at him. “No, you got the wrong impression. That there’s anything you have to offer me. You’re just the son of the man my son’s married to. Nothing more.”
And I’d do well to remember that too.
I strode toward the car, leaving August in my wake. Only, he didn’t get the hint at all. He followed me to the car and, although the driver was there, beat the man to open the passenger door for me.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said, and I hated how sincere he sounded. “Have a good day, Charles.”
I nodded at him, unable to find the words to express the way I felt. I got into the car, but instead of closing the door, August peeked in at me.
“And, Charles?”
“Yes?”
“Nowhere is it written that you can only love once. That’s not the way love works.”
With those words, August closed the door. He didn’t move but waited for the driver to get back in. He remained standing there at the front of the hotel, and my last vision of him was the stunning figure he cut with his hands at his sides as he stared after the car.
Chapter 4
Auggie
“Summer?” I called out after knocking on the door yielded no response from her.
It remained silent. I cracked the door open and peeked inside. She was dancing with her head bopping from side to side, earphones in. Her phone was tucked into the pocket of her jean skirt. I let out a sigh of relief.
For a moment, I’d been afraid she was back to moping around about her girlfriend situation. I’d promised Dad I’d look out for her, and given Summer’s history with disappearing, I’d been worried she wasn’t at home.
She walked across the room and picked up a cute pair of half boots and her carry-on from beside the statement chair in the room.