When August Ends(59)

While Katy and Debbie ventured out to the backyard, Heather and I found ourselves heading to the other side of the house. We ended up in the master bedroom, which was pretty small.

“How are you holding up?” I asked.

“I’m tired.”

I wanted so badly to hold her.

“I know. But at least it’s been a productive weekend.”

“Yeah. I just want her to pick from these choices so we can be done with it. The sooner we can start moving stuff in, the better.”

I’d hoped my feelings for Heather would wane since our vow of celibacy. We’d been careful not to put ourselves in a position where we could end up losing control. But all the time we’d spent working this past week was only a reminder of how good we were together, how happy I was by her side. Nothing was getting any easier. Not to mention, holding myself back from touching her was slowly killing me.

She went to look out the window. The sunlight shone on her hair, bringing out the platinum highlights. I wished I had my camera to capture it.

I knew she was still mixed up about a lot of things, including where we stood. I gave in and placed my hands on her shoulders, resting my chin on the back of her head. I immediately felt her breathing change.

“Don’t let go,” she whispered.

Squeezing her shoulders, I kissed her head and spoke into her hair. “This is not easy.”

She turned around to face me, and I almost leaned in to kiss her.

Our moment was interrupted when we heard Katy and Debbie’s footsteps. We pushed back from each other, my heart going a mile a minute.

“I see you’ve found the master,” Debbie said as she entered the room.

“Yeah. It’s really cute,” Heather answered, although I could tell her mind was elsewhere.

Katy looked between us suspiciously.

“I think this one has a lot of potential. It’s my favorite by far,” Katy said.

Debbie’s face lit up. “Enough of a favorite to make an offer?”

“Well, that’s up to my beautiful niece, but yes, I think this may be the one.”

Heather looked around the room. “I think we should do it.”

Debbie clapped her hands together. “Fantastic! Let’s go pick up your mother and head back to my office to draw something up.”

***

Later that evening, we returned to Heather’s house to await the seller’s decision on the offer, which was three thousand under the asking price. Heather was prepared to go up if they turned it down, though.

Katy and Alice left us alone downstairs.

Heather’s eyes widened when she finally spotted the empty shelf in her living room. “Where are my Hummels?”

This morning, when she was out running some errands with her aunt, I’d come to the house to do some packing. She hadn’t been back here since.

“You mentioned that the idea of moving the Hummels was stressing you out. So I snuck in here earlier and wrapped them—each one has tons of bubble wrap. They’re safely in that box in the corner.”

She walked over and knelt down to inspect them. “That was incredibly thoughtful of you.”

“I figured it was one less thing you’d have to worry about.”

“It really is. That project was daunting.” Heather stood up and came over to me, her eyes filled with emotion. “I wouldn’t have gotten through any of this without you.”

I reached out to touch her cheek. “Happy to help.”

She briefly closed her eyes. “Will you stay and have dinner? Maybe we can watch a movie? I just want to unwind tonight, eat some bad food and have a drink.”

We both knew it was dangerous to be completely alone, so I’d been spending more time here; Alice’s presence ensured we wouldn’t slip.

“Yeah, that sounds good. I’m getting pretty hungry. You want to make something together or order out?”

“I bought stuff to make enchiladas the other day. I have a rotisserie chicken we can use for the meat.”

My stomach growled. I’d been ravenous lately, eating more to compensate for my other hunger, which wasn’t being satisfied.

“That sounds good,” I said. “Let’s do it.”

I placed my cellphone and keys on the kitchen counter. “Be right back. I need to take a leak.”

I returned from the bathroom to a noticeable change in energy.

When I looked over at Heather’s face, all the color had drained from it.

“Are you okay?”

She didn’t answer me. Instead, looking like she was about to hyperventilate, she leaned against the counter.

She handed me my phone. “You got a text.”

I looked down. It wasn’t just any text, but a photo of a woman’s bare breasts, along with a message.

It was from Lindsey, the woman I’d been with before leaving Pennsylvania. This was the first time she’d contacted me since.

Oh fuck.



Lindsey: I miss you. Thought I’d send you this reminder. Wouldn’t want you to forget me. Hope you’re enjoying your vacation. I would love to see you when you get back.



My heart sank and words vomited out of my mouth. “I’m sorry you had to see that. She’s not anyone important. This is—”

“She seems to think she’s important enough that you’d be interested in a photo of her tits.”