Page 110 of Until August

I checked my phone for the millionth time, confirming that there were no missed calls or messages from August. “Our arrangement is off,” I declared.

Scarlett snort-laughed. “Sure, it is. But, if you ask me, this is exactly what you needed.”

“A guy who acts like an asshole and doesn’t even try to deny it? In fact, he confirmed it himself.”

“We love when guys act like assholes. So stop pretending you don’t find it hot.”

“I don’t. I’m not a teenager anymore,” I huffed. “And Cruz was never an asshole,” I added. Because he wasn’t. Dylan could be an asshole, but Cruz was always a gentleman.

“I know, babe. But August isn’t Cruz. August is perfect for a fling, though, and that’s what you said you wanted, right?”

“I guess.” Although now I was questioning my sanity. How could I have ever thought this was a good idea?

“I really like him.” She set down her paintbrush and stretched her arms. “I think he’s great for you.”

She didn’t even know him. “You spent five minutes with him,” I muttered. “Give it time.”

Scarlett laughed, not taking any of this seriously. “I have a feeling his groveling will be world-class.”

I swung my legs over the side of the sofa and stood. “He won’t grovel.”

“He’s not stupid. He doesn’t want to lose a good thing.”

I wasn’t convinced. We weren’t even in a relationship, and we’d already had our first argument. He’d made it clear that he was just in it for the sex, so I highly doubted August would grovel, much less apologize.

I knew I was partly to blame. I should have minded my own business and kept my mouth shut.

The way he lived had nothing to do with who he was and didn’t diminish my attraction to him. If anything, it only heightened the appeal.

There was something selfless about August. The way he put his son first and didn’t worry about his own comfort.

He was a proud man, and I’d injured his pride by making it sound like I was looking down on him.

Sometimes I wished this mouth of mine came with a filter.

But even so, he didn’t have to lash out like that. He didn’t have to be so rude and okay. It hurt my feelings when he said it was just sex. Even though it was true, and that’s all we’d signed on for, it was how he said it, like the thought of a relationship with me was so unappealing he wouldn’t even contemplate it.

But even if we’d never had sex, I thought we were becoming friends. The kind of friends who could talk openly and honestly and rely on each other.

He wouldn’t have introduced his son to just anyone, would he?

But maybe I’d read too much into it. Maybe it was foolish to believe that this went beyondjust sex.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

Nicola

“What are you reading?”Luca asked, dropping onto the lounger next to me.

I flipped the paperback over so he could see the cover, then resumed reading. It was probably a bad idea that I’d chosen a romance novel. I almost threw the paperback into the pool when they still couldn’t get their act together. Couldn’t they see they were perfect for each other?

If Quinn McCallister didn’t give this couple a happy ending, I would never read another book of hers again.

“Thought you’d be with August today,” Luca said a little while later.

I side-eyed him. He was basking in the sun, Ray Bans shielding his eyes and a Corona in his hand. He usually went surfing or hung out with his friends on his days off, but today he was just chilling by the pool.

“Why would you think that?” I asked, my eyes scanning the page I was pretending to read.