Well, shit.
I’ve been trying for months to get him to respond, so I guess knowing the place he likes to frequent has helped get me the answer I have wanted to hear.
Standing, I grab my coat and car keys and stop at her desk on my out.
“Jacinta,” I say her name this time, and she startles before lifting her eyes to me. “The Jackpot CEO has asked me to bring a date. Be there at six. Don’t be late. I hate tardiness.” Without giving her a chance to respond, I walk straight to my sister’s office.
Shandy sits on the seat opposite her, her feet kicked up on the desk and a milkshake in one hand. I walk straight past her.
“Oh, no hello, lover boy?”
“Didn’t I fire you already?” Not looking her way, I continue, “Watch what you say to employees, especially since I don’t have the Jackpot account yet. You know I’ve been trying to land it.”
Rylee looks at me, confused.
“Jacinta?” she asks. “She asked what was occupying you so she could help. Did she help?” Rylee asks.
“Just be careful what you share. This company is half yours, remember that.”
“She’s trying to help you, not take you down,” Rylee bites back and turns to look at Shandy.
“Loverboy, who’s the latest squeeze? Did you get any photos like I asked you to?”
“No,” I snap at her.
“Sounds like you have a stick up your ass that needs to be either wiggled or pulled. Which one is it, lover boy?”
Shandy, despite her annoy qualities, isn’t all that bad. I thought about fucking her once, but it turns out she doesn’t like cock. Now she’s become intertwined in my life without my consent.
The door to the office swings open behind me, and I turn around to see Jacinta standing there. Her cheeks go red, and she rolls her lips between her teeth when she notices me.
“Hey, what’s up?” Rylee asks.
Jacinta’s eyes lock with mine before moving to Rylee, and it’s then I notice the color—hazel, with specs of brown throughout.
“It can wait,” Jacinta says, backing out as quickly as she can.
“No, it’s fine. What’s wrong?” Her eyes flick to me, then to Shandy before they go back to Rylee.
“I don’t want to ask, but …” She goes quiet and looks to the floor, then back to Rylee. “Would it be okay if Oliver stayed with you for a while after work?”
I feel Rylee’s eyes on me, but she answers as I knew she would, “Of course. Winter is dying for company. Bring him straight over.”
Jacinta thanks her and walks out.
When she’s gone, Shandy shuts the door, and both sets of eyes lock on mine.
“Why does she need a sitter, brother?” Rylee asks.
“She’s attending a dinner with me.” My sister’s brows rise. “Strictly work. Don’t get any ideas. I would never, ever touch that.”
I shiver at the thought.
That’s a big no.
Shandy gives me some sort of weird look before she averts her eyes, and Rylee offers me a sad smile.
Chapter 4
Jacinta
I would never, ever touch that.
I heard him say the words, and as I pull up at the front of August’s house, that’s all that runs through my mind.
Is there something wrong with me?
How come no one ever loves me?
Why am I so broken?
“Jacinta?” August opens my car door, and I smile at him as I slide out of my car. Oliver gets out next and hugs August’s legs. I watch as Oliver runs off in the yard.
“I’m kind of broken, aren’t I?” I ask August, my eyes slowly finding his.
If anyone understands, it will be him.
August went from having the shittiest mother to ending up in prison. Then finding a love he thought he never deserved. Then me.
Oliver runs back and clings to August’s leg.
“Jacinta.” He shakes his head and looks down at Oliver. “Go inside, buddy. Winter is waiting for you.”
Oliver nods and heads into the house. I watch him go and hope I’m raising him right, that I’m not making him feel less worthy than I feel.
Because honestly, I feel like a failure.
I look up at August, into his beautiful, kind eyes. How could anyone see a monster there when all I see is someone who was willing to give me a chance and protect me when no one else would. He may have never loved me, but somewhere along the line, I loved him.
“Thanks for this. Mr. Harley requested I go to a meeting with him tonight, and I can’t afford to lose this job.” My hand pushes my hair back over my shoulder while August shakes his head.
“Beckham is an ass to work for. Everyone knows it.”
“So I’ve heard,” I say. But I thought if I stayed out of his way and did the job I am paid for it wouldn’t be such a big issue. I guess I was wrong.
“If you need money, Jacinta, ask. I’m happy to help you and Oliver out, you know this.” I look past him and see Rylee at the door. She offers me a wave before she walks back inside. She has a lot of faith in him, and I don’t blame her. August is crazy in love with her. All he sees is her. Even when I tried to make him see me, it was only glimpses.
“I don’t need money. The work I do pays well. Mr. Harley pays well …” I pause. “It’s just harder than I thought it would be.”
His hand reaches out, and he touches my shoulder. “Jacinta.” His green eyes hold empathy.
I shrug his hand off me. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Oliver should be okay until I’m back. I don’t know what time that will be, though.”
“Oliver can stay the night. I have his room still set up. Go. Have a kid-free night. Rylee mentioned you probably need one.” His hands slide into his pockets.
“She really is amazing,” I say more to myself than anyone else. He knows who I’m talking about right away. “I mean, I knew it.” I shrug.
“There isn’t anything wrong with you. You know that, right?”
“So I keep telling myself, but somehow, the world keeps showing me otherwise.”
“You have bad taste in men, is all.” He winks, and it’s one of the first times I’ve seen him joke.
“Happiness looks good on you,” I tell him honestly. It’s true. It really looks amazing on him. “I have to go. Call me if he needs me, right?” I ask.
August nods and watches as I get back in my car. I glance back to the house, and he offers me a small smile before I drive off.
I didn’t know what to wear, but my guess would be anything but casual. And as I get out of the taxi, I see I’m right. I spot Mr. Harley straight away, his suit as immaculate as it is every day. But tonight’s is all black, even the undershirt, with gold cufflinks, and somehow that makes him appear even more intimidating.
He doesn’t spot me straight away as he’s typing away on his phone, oblivious to the world around him. Women walk by. They stop and stare. Hell, I damn well stare. He may be young, but he carries himself well.
My long, purple dress just barely drags on the floor, even with my heels on. I’m short, but luckily for me, I learned to sew and can hem my own dresses. I make my way to where he’s standing and stop in front of him.