Chapter 5 August
FIVE
AUGUST
“August!” Ellie yells out, her heels clacking on the pavement.
I’m standing outside the restaurant for Mom’s birthday dinner. My sister greets me with a radiating glow, and Rowan walks beside her, holding onto her hand. He tilts his chin up at me in greeting.
“Are mom and dad here yet?” she asks.
I check the time on my watch. “They should be here in a few minutes. How’s Biscuit doing?”
Biscuit is Ellie and Rowan’s new addition to their family. He’s become Milo’s—their golden retriever—little brother and tiny shadow. They were nervous about adding another dog to the family since Milo’s an only child, but it was no surprise when they introduced the two.
Biscuit and Milo have become the best of friends.
“We’ve moved on from doggy pads in the house to going to the bathroom outside.” Rowan sighs. “I forgot what it’s like to raise a puppy.”
“He’s preparing you for when you two decide to have kids.”
“I’ve gotten used to the whining,” Ellie says. “It’s not that bad.”
“That’s because you cave and give him what he wants,” Rowan says.
“He’s our little baby.” Ellie turns to her fiancé, giving him puppy eyes. “Of course he can have whatever he wants.”
“Which makes me the bad cop of the house,” Rowan says.
Ellie looks past my shoulder and waves at whoever is approaching behind me. “You made it!”
When I turn, I expect to see Mom and Dad. Instead, I watch honey-colored eyes lock with mine before she averts her gaze.
“Hey, guys.” Riley waves. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“How’s it going?” Rowan says.
“Could be better. My mom won’t stop talking about the stupid divorce. I swear, she’s called me like five times today, and I’m starting to convince myself to change my phone number.”
I give her a half smile.
She’s wearing blue jeans with heeled boots, and an olive green peacoat. Absolutely stunning, as always.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey.”
Ellie shivers when a rush of cold air passes by. “Where are our parents?”
Rowan tugs Ellie into his arms and covers her with his jacket. He makes my sister look smaller than she already is.
“Oh.” Ellie peers down at her coat pocket, digging her phone out. “It’s dad.” She answers it on the second ring. “Where are you guys?”
I glance around, watching groups of people walk by and cars whoosh past us. Twinkle lights wrap around trees that line the sidewalks. I can’t help but find Riley again, the small lights creating a beautiful glow around her.
She does the same as me, checking out her surroundings, before her attention drifts back to me. Her hands are tucked in her pockets, the wind pushing her hair back. I don’t want this dinner to be awkward between us.
“Are you still working for your dad?” I ask, making small talk.
“No. My last day was a week after the divorce. I didn’t think I needed to be there anymore since he left.”
“Wow, you finally did it?”
She shoves me by the shoulder. “Don’t be an ass.”
I chuckle. “I’m not. I just know you, always putting things off till the last minute.”
“I do not! Plus, you’re one to talk. You’re the king of procrastinating.”
“I work better under pressure.”
“Bullshit, you become completely chaotic”—she tosses her blonde locks over her shoulder—“and I usually have to swoop in and save the day.”
“I haven’t needed you to swoop in for me in a very long time. Unless you’re saying you want me to because you miss hanging out with me so much.” I give her a wide grin.
She pins me with her stare, and I feel like I’ve won some sort of victory while I leave her speechless.
Ellie sighs. “Okay, we’ll be there in a second.”
“Where are they?” Riley asks.
“Inside.” Ellie’s teeth chatter. “They’ve been here the whole time in the lobby.”
Rowan laughs, shaking his head.
“It’s not funny.” Ellie looks up at him. “We’re freezing out here.”
“It’s a little funny.” He says before grabbing the door handle, gesturing to Ellie and Riley to go inside. “We should’ve gone inside in the first place instead of standing out here in the cold.”
I stop, waiting for him to walk inside before I do.
“Go on, princess.” He jerks his head.
“Always a gentleman, Mr. Williams.”
“Only for you.” He follows me.
The restaurant buzzes with people in the lobby, at the bar, and at tables. Waiters pass through the crowds with trays filled with food.
“Rowan,” Mom shouts, holding her arms out. “Thank you for coming sweetie.”
“I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world, Mrs. Thompson.”
We all exchange greetings with each other, and I watch the way Mom and Riley greet each other.
Riley has a closer relationship with my mom than she does with her own. Moms always looked after Riley as if she were her own. Sometimes, both Riley and Hailey would come over for the holidays, with Christmas presents waiting for them under the tree.
Mom’s head tips back, and she lets out a laugh before looking at Riley. “When are you going to find a man and settle down?”
I roll my lips inward, smothering a laugh at Riley’s expression. She presses her lips together while her eyes widen at the comment.
She shrugs one shoulder. “Oh, uh, you know, I’m not sure. There hasn’t been a man who can handle me, I guess.”
“Hi, Mom.” I tilt my head in her direction, saving Riley.
“Oh! August, my favorite son.” She gives me a tight hug, rubbing my back in comfort.
“I’m your only son,” I retort.
“Still my favorite.” She puts her hands on my shoulders.
“Hey.” Ellie inserts herself. “I’m right here.”
“Baby boy trumps older sister,” I say. “I don’t make the rules.”
“You’re both my favorite,” Mom says.
I lean toward Ellie and whisper, “She’s just saying that to be nice.”
“No,” Ellie whispers. “She’s just saying that, so you won’t go home and cry in bed later.”
“Yeah, well, why would she make me chocolate chip pancakes every Saturday for me? Because they’re my favorite.”
“Uh, no. She made them for me every Saturday morning because they’re my favorite. Why do you think I always got an extra one?”
Mom turns to us with an exasperated look on her face. “If you two don’t quit it, neither of you will get a chocolate chip pancake ever again.”
“Sorry,” we murmur in unison.
“You’re such a baby,” Ellie whispers with a hiss.
“No, you are.” I flick her ear.
Ellie smacks my chest.
“Ow, stop.”
“Thompson, party of six?” The hostess calls out.
“Oh, thank god.” Mom sighs, then smiles. “That’s us!”