Chapter 20 #3
I stand up straight when I see August's gray CRV pull in front of the store. My heart picks up a bit. Making me shake my head. Because we just saw her and my body is reacting like we haven’t. The way she already has me twisted up. And that kind of scares me.
I watch her rifle through her tote bag as she’s walking to the curb, stumbling over it, catching her balance. Both Kai and I bust out laughing at her.
She stops, stares into the open door. “Assholes.”
I wink at her and see her cheeks turn a different shade before she walks up to the counter, still struggling inside her bag.
“Good morning, August.” I bend my head to get a peek at her until she finally roams her eyes to meet mine. Straightening up, she sucks in her bottom lip, trying to hold back a smile.
“Hi Bohdi.” My name coming out of her mouth sounds so perfect. “And Kai. Thanks for coming,” she greets him with a huge smile and gives him a hug.
“Always. And while I’m here. Good news, we should be done and packed up by next weekend.”
August sighs. “I can’t wait to bathe in my own place.” She and Kai both laugh.
Scooting the papers toward her, I say, “If you want to read the contract before the notary gets here. If you have questions, just ask, but it’s a straightforward sale.”
I watch her take the papers; my eyes staying on her.
Watching every little move, the way her lips slightly move apart as she's reading, the eyelash that falls onto her cheek when she blinked, and the dusting of freckles across her nose. She’s beautiful.
And beautiful in the way that she doesn’t have to do one thing to her face; it’s natural.
I get the feeling that I’m not the only person staring at someone; I look to the left, and my brother is squinting at me. When our eyes meet, his head juts to the side, like, yeah, I caught you, motherfucker.
Thankfully, the notary walks in, making my brother stop analyzing what was just happening.
“Good morning, I’m looking for Mr. Westmore,” the older lady announces.
I wave to her from behind the counter. “You’re in the right place. I’m Bo… I’m Bohdi Westmore. Please call me Bohdi.” I reach my hand across to take hers.
“Mrs. Evans.” She shakes my hand.
Immediately, August and Kai’s eyes shoot to me. August gives me a gentle smile before turning to the side. “I’m August Graft. Thank you for coming. I know it had to be short notice.”
“It’s no problem at all.” I watch as she takes out her supplies. “Ms. Graft, have you read the papers?”
August smiles. “I have and I’m in agreement with the contract.”
“Perfect.” She opens her thin lips to continue to speak but stops, clearing her throat. “Mr. Bohdi, can I see your driver’s license and yours as well, Ms. Graft?”
We three watch Mrs. Evans take pictures of our licenses, write on her papers, and all stand silently.
“Okay, all that’s left to do is give Mr. Bohdi the payment, and you both will sign these papers. And then, Ms. Graft, you’re the new owner of this building.”
August’s smile is so big, she’s almost showing all her top teeth. I stand there frozen, transfixed by her. Eight long years, and here she is, older and more beautiful and standing in the bakery that was always hers.
At the same time, I slide the keys to her, and she slides the cashier's check to me.
“Congratulations!” Mrs. Evans nods and packs up her stuff. Just like that, it’s all over. Surprised how quickly it all happened.
The three of us stand looking at each other. “What now?” August asks, looking around the empty room.
“First, Baylee threatened me with no sex if I don’t get a picture of you with your keys. She’s homesick.”
“Eww. You didn’t have to tell me what she used against you.” August pretends to shiver.
I watch as she goes to the middle of the room, holds up the set of keys, and smiles at Kai. “Well, come take the picture.”
I watch from behind the counter, a smile stretching my face, seeing her so proudly holding up the keys to her new bakery.
“Bohdi! Come take a picture with me, you sold it to me after all,” August calls to me.
Kai’s head snaps to me; the look on his face is like what is happening? I widen my eyes and make my way to August. I feel uncomfortable just standing next to her, like we're strangers, like last night she didn’t have me coming in my jeans as we dry humped each other like teenagers.
Her hand wraps around my back, giving it a little scratch before holding on to the side of my hip.
I see Kai’s eyes trying to decipher what the hell is happening, but he just says, “Smile.” And we both do.
I don’t want her to let me go, but she does. My fingers slowly caress her back as we separate.
I feel like I need to leave; there is no other reason to be here. Our business is done. “I’ll get these filed.” I hold up the papers. “It was good to see you, Kai…and August. Have a good day.”
Kai hurriedly speaks to August; all I can hear are their whispers as I’m fixing to exit the building.
“Hey, Bohdi,” my brother’s voice calls out to me.
Turning around, I ask, “Yeah?”
“Baylee is having a small dinner tonight for August as a congratulations; if you want to come, it should be ready around seven.”
“Oh.” Fuck, my mouth isn’t working. “Okay, yeah. Thank you,” I stutter out.
Looking at August, she smiles at me before turning back to Kai.