back to him.
I much preferred watching him anyway, enjoying how unpretentious he was. I was glad he’d asked me to come with him.
The little bit I knew of him was the serious August, the caretaker, but watching him play with that dog, hearing his laughter ringing out felt much like last night when I’d shown him parts of me I kept from the rest of the world.
He could be demanding and bossy. He could also be playful, patient, and kind. Was that what had drawn Declan to Owen? Before this attraction to August, I could never really understand why Declan fell so utterly in love with Owen. The man was average at best.
But seeing August like this, it became all a little clearer.
He played with the dog for about half an hour, then came back to me and announced it was time to go. I didn’t want to leave yet, even though the sun was leaving quite the impression on my legs. Thank god August had insisted I wore the hat.
“Want to hold the leash?” he asked me as we walked from the park.
I shrugged. “Okay.”
August smiled at me as he passed over the leash. What was this giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach?
Chapter 8
Auggie
“I should go now.”
Charles poured a bottle of water into a glass. I’d found it amusing when he asked for the glass, but I should’ve known better. Charles was the most sophisticated man I’d ever met. No drinking straight from the bottle for him.
We’d been back from our walk half an hour ago, and he’d sat in the kitchen, making small talk as I washed up the dishes we’d used. It had been amazing to see him relax as we spent more time together, and if I was suppressing the warning bells, I tried not to think about it.
Declan had asked me to look out for his father, and the man sure did need someone to do that. Behind all that sophisticated air, he held so much hurt inside him, but he’d laughed a few times today. I’d pulled those emotions out of him, and it felt good.
“Do you have to?” I asked him.
“No, but I should.”
“Why? Have anything important planned?”
“No.”
Having finished unloading the dishwasher, I turned to him, wiping my hands with a paper towel. “Then stay.”
He lowered the glass from his lips. “I can’t.”
I leaned against the island opposite him and challenged him. “Give me one good reason you can’t.”
“I need to check up on Poppy.”
“Then call her, but stay.”
“Why?”
I sighed and threw the paper towel down the garbage chute. “Listen, you were right. Declan did ask me to keep an eye on you, and—”
“I knew it!” Charles was on his feet before I could finish. “Where does he get off treating me like a child?”
“He was just concerned about you and the situation you’re in with your wife.”
Spots of color dotted his cheeks, and he clenched his fists. “I’m leaving.”
“Charles.” I called his name before he could take a step. “Declan did ask me to look out for you, but not to this extent. I’d really like you to stay.”
His bitter laugh rang out in the kitchen. “Don’t you dare pity me, August.”
“What? I don’t pity you.”
“Then what’s all this?”
How much should I tell him? The simpler version of the truth would be best.
“I enjoyed spending the morning with you,” I said calmly. “In case you missed it, I just moved back. I don’t really have anyone I connect with except for Dad and Declan, and they aren’t here. It was good to have conversations that didn’t include canine talk.”
Charles unclenched his fists, but he continued to frown at me. “You’re not bullshitting me, are you?”
“No, you don’t want to go home just yet, and I don’t really want to be alone right now.” I shrugged. “I don’t think we have a problem.”
He slowly sat back down. “So, what do we do now?”
I had nothing planned for the day except to job hunt. I quickly thought on my feet.
“Do you mind getting out of the house again?”
He glanced down at his clothes. “I’m very limited in where I’d go dressed like this. I’ve already been out in public at the park.”
I laughed, shaking my head at him. “If you must know, we’re going over to my house.”
“What for?”
“I need to paint a little today.”
“Paint?”
“Yes, and you’re going to help.”
“Trust me, you don’t want me painting anything.”
He didn’t protest beyond that, though. I pretended not to notice Charles’s look of horror when