Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
In two weeks, Jacinta starts work here. Beckham doesn’t know who she is, and I don’t want to tell him. Beckham doesn’t like anyone, and me telling him she is in any way connected to Anderson will only make matters worse. Way worse.
So I plan to leave that well alone.
“Are you really going on a date with him?” Beckham asks as we walk out, and he falls into step next to me. He never leaves work early unless it’s for Winter. I have to head home now, feed Winter, bathe her, and make sure she has everything she needs before I take her around to his house.
“Yes, I am.”
“I hated him for so long.”
We pause when we reach the elevator.
“I know, but you know it was never his fault, right? He loved Paige, and he tried to protect her.” We step into the elevator, and Beckham looks directly at me. The caring look in his eyes shows me his feelings. “If something else happened to you…” I lean my head on his shoulder, which is problematic considering how tall he is.
“I’m fine. Really.”
“What time?” Beckham asks, shaking me off and assuming his usual stony face.
“I should be there in an hour or two. That work?” He nods and walks to his car, leaving me to fetch Winter.
When I walk into her daycare, I see August sitting down reading a book with her.
“Winter is so cute with him.”
Turning to the teacher, I smile. “Yes, they do idolize each other.” I walk over and stand next to them. They’re so engrossed in the story it takes them both a moment to look up at me.
“Time to go home and get ready for Uncle Beckham’s.” Winter jumps up straight away and runs to get her bag. When August stands, I see he’s dressed in a suit, and my eyes travel the length of him. I smirk when I get to his face and see him already grinning back at me.
“There are children around,” he says. “Eyes up here.” He taps his face.
“Pish. Please. I’m all better now.” I smile and walk out with Winter. August follows us and we head back home. When we arrive, August starts her dinner without me even asking. I take Winter for a shower with me, then dress her so I can start getting ready. August said it’s a low-key wedding. Only a few close friends and family will be in attendance. I pull on a black maxi dress covered in pink and purple flowers and pair it with some wedges before I tie my hair up and meet him in the kitchen.
Beckham arrived while I was getting dressed. His hands are in his pockets as he talks to August. I feel August’s eyes on me, eating me up as I stand there.
“You sure she is right for the night?” I ask Beckham again.
“Yes, I already told you.” Beckham grabs Winter’s bag, then turns and walks out, calling Winter as he goes. She gives me a kiss, then August, before she runs off after him.
“I have to get used to their relationship, don’t I?” August asks, watching them walk to Beckham’s car. It’s funny because Beckham has an expensive sports car, but in it right now is a booster seat, which took some convincing for him to put in. I’m sure he hates it, but he does it anyway because of how much he loves Winter and wants her to be safe.
“You do. I love their bond. It’s something special.” I look back to August. “But your bond with her will be different. You are her father, and she knows that.” He eyes me. “She asked me, and I couldn’t lie. The teacher mentioned you during the week and asked if you were her dad. I replied yes and didn’t realize Winter was behind me when I did. I hope that’s okay?”
“It’s more than okay. I have wanted to tell her, but I wanted to wait until you were ready.”
I shrug. “She already asked when she can start calling you Dad. I said she needs to ask you that question.” As I turn to walk back into my room, his strong hands grip me on the waist, spinning me around. His lips slam into mine.
I forget to breathe.
I forget to exist outside this moment with him.
Every moment with August is like this.
It’s one of the reasons I knew I could never love anyone else the same way I love this man.
He didn’t just steal pieces of me. He stole every inch of me and never gave them back when he left. And I never asked for them back either.
August pulls back, his lips a soft pink now from my lip gloss, and I reach up to wipe it away from his lips and smirk. “Maybe I should meet you in the car, so we can get out on time.” I laugh.