at all. Have fun with my wife. It’s not like you can knock her up a second time.”
“You can be such a bastard, Charles,” she snapped at me.
I frowned at her. “I’m giving you exactly what you wanted.”
“You’re not giving me anything. I’d still be leaving with him, whether or not you approved.”
“Right. Do whatever you want, then. Just be careful.”
“All you care about is this damn baby!” She turned on her heels, and my heart leaped in my chest when she stumbled. Luckily, Manuel caught her arm and steadied her.
Declan had advised me not to let Poppy know how much I wanted the baby, but that was a lost cause. She already knew and capitalized on every moment to push my buttons.
One of these days, I’d have to come straight out and ask her to sign over the baby into my custody once she gave birth. I’d give her anything she wanted. I just wanted to raise that little girl as mine. I’d wanted to do that since I discovered she was pregnant.
I’d ordered another drink from the bar when Declan made a beeline for me.
“Charles.”
I lifted my glass in his direction. “Congrats again on the wedding. Nicely done.”
“Yeah, we’re proud of what David put together.”
“I have to be honest. I had my doubts about you using your butler as an events planner. Glad it turned out okay for everyone.”
Seconds ticked by as we stared at each other without speaking. I broke eye contact, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.
“I’m happy for you,” I said softly. “I hope you have him for a long, long time, Declan.”
“Charles—”
“No, no sad thoughts right now.”
His sigh was loud. “You’re right, but when I get back, we need to have a talk about what we’re going to do about our Poppy situation.”
“No. Poppy is my situation, and I’ll handle it.”
“Charles—”
“I’m a grown man, Declan. I know I haven’t always acted like it, but I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“Fine.” He held up his hands and took a step back. “Owen and I are about to leave so we can get to the airstrip.”
“Good. Go enjoy Greece.”
I’d been there several times, and it was beautiful. The parts I’d seen in Mykonos anyway. I usually spent most of my time there at beach bars and the trendy hangout spots too expensive for most people to afford.
Declan’s and Owen’s departure was heralded with well-wishes. I watched them leave while only a few of the guests followed. Most stayed as the party was still in full swing. I should’ve left immediately, but the thought of encountering Poppy kept me at the bar.
My home used to be my sanctuary. None of my ex-wives had lived there, and Poppy being there with me felt so wrong. I hadn’t intentionally started the relationship with the idea of having an open marriage, but it was for the best. Whatever manufactured affections we’d held for the other had dried up a long time ago.
“A lime soda, please.”
I startled at the familiar voice, angling my head to acknowledge August, who had taken the spot next to me at the bar. He leaned casually against the wood panel, and for a brief moment, I had the opportunity to study him while he chatted with the bartender.
Owen was a handsome man, and his sons were no exception with the contribution of his DNA. In a roomful of people, one could easily tell the twins were his sons, but my thoughts were far from Owen when I took in the sharpness of August’s jawline.
One second he was smiling with the bartender as he claimed his drink, and the next he trapped me beneath his intense gaze. It was way too late to glance away and pretend as if I hadn’t been staring at him.
“Great wedding,” I said, taking up my glass, only to find it empty. Great. Just when I need it. “I take it you and your siblings will be heading back to Columbus soon?”
“Trying to get rid of me already, Charles?” The soft chuckle that fell from his lips knotted my stomach.
“Of course not, but you live there, so I just thought…” I flagged down the bartender to order another drink. Stat. Whenever I was around August, I had a tongue-tying syndrome, and I hated it.
“Actually, I don’t think he needs it,” August said to the bartender. “Just a club soda for him.”
I frowned at him, recalling his dance with Declan. “My son put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“You’re