Page 133 of Until August

It felt more like a curse than a blessing.

Because I could only keep one if I let the other go.

And I loved them both.

But one heart couldn’t remain loyal to two men. It simply wasn’t possible.

Sooner or later, I knew I would have to make a choice.

CHAPTERFORTY-SEVEN

Nicola

When the doorbell rang,I gave myself a final look in the hall mirror before I descended the stairs.

At the last minute, I’d changed into a tight black dress and heels and applied red lipstick to go with my kohl-lined eyes. I’d made a special effort for the occasion and thought I looked pretty good.

August was insistent. He wanted to take me on a date. When he brought it up the other day, I laughed like that was ridiculous. “A date?” I’d asked. “Aren’t we past that stage? You don’t have to wine and dine me. I’m already a sure thing.”

“Are you?” he’d asked.

I’d played it off as if his words had no deeper meaning. “Sure, I am. But date or not, you already know you’ll get lucky.” I’d punctuated my words with a wink and turned away before he could say more.

In the six months I’d known August, we’d never gone anywhere in public as a couple. Sure, we went out together. To the fish market. To LA. To a vineyard in Temecula and restaurants and food stalls in other towns.

But something about this felt different. Maybe because he’d labeled it. We were going on ‘a date.’

When I swung the front door open, I struck a pose and gave him what I hoped was a come-hither look. Like a femme fatale from another century.

My whole body flushed with heat as August’s eyes roamed down the length of me, slow and leisurely as if he wanted to commit every curve and dip to memory.

I almost joked and said,Take a picture, it lasts longer, but I didn’t say it because I was too busy reveling in the attention.

When our eyes met, his had darkened.

He pushed his hand through his hair and laughed, shaking his head. “Jesus. Not sure how I’ll get through dinner without attacking my dessert first.”

“Am I dessert?”

“Mm yeah. You taste sweet as honey. When I close my eyes at night, I can still taste you on my lips.” He closed his eyes and licked his lips, a groan escaping.

NowIwasn’t sure how I’d get through dinner. He looked good, too, in flat-front gray chinos I’d never seen before and a black button-down rolled up to his elbows. God, he was gorgeous. So gorgeous that I couldn’t stop staring at him. “You don’t play fair.”

He grinned. “Let’s go, Cinderella. My chariot awaits.”

“I can see how that chariot could turn into a pumpkin at midnight,” I teased.

“It’s a wonder the damn thing is still running.” He held out his arm like a perfect gentleman. Like my own Prince Charming.

I hesitated before linking my arm to his. It felt like a momentous occasion. Like once again, everything had shifted.

He held the passenger door open and swept his arm in a courtly gesture.

I laughed. “You’re really going for it, aren’t you?”

“If you’re going to do something, do it right.”

“Go big or go home.”