“We do need to talk,” August agreed. “But it’ll have to wait till after the weekend.” He took two short steps until he was right in front of me, and he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “He’s not wrong, you know. I saw the note too.”

I swallowed uneasily and side-eyed him as he put on his bracelet. He wore a small but proud smile, one of a father.

“Where’s yours?” he asked.

I retrieved it from my pocket.

“I know one thing for sure,” he murmured and slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. “This doesn’t end with you returnin’ to New York. It can’t.”

Cazzo, was he serious?

Soon as the bracelet was on, he cupped my jaw and kissed me hard. “I need this weekend with you, baby.”

I shuddered, a storm of emotions surging forward, and wrapped my arms around his middle. “Don’t make it the last.” I felt assertive enough to say that, at least. “I’m not strong enough to rip off the Band-Aid with you and Camden.”

“No goddamn ripping,” he agreed against my lips.

I let myself get lost in the kiss and took comfort in our promise of this not being over. At the same time, I wasn’t new. I knew how these things worked. Maybe I’d come down here to visit in a couple months. We hadn’t gone to his restaurant yet—I wanted my date.

Maybe they’d fly up to see me too. But eventually, one visit would be the last. Life got in the way of most long-distance relationships. The odds of one surviving that wasn’t even based on love weren’t in our favor. They’d go on with their lives. I’d hopefully go on with my own back home.

It was gonna hurt like hell, but anything was better than saying a final goodbye on Monday morning.

“Daddy!”

August and I jolted awake and nearly knocked our heads together. A second later, rapid feet padded across the floor outside the bedroom, and I reached over and flicked on the lamp on the nightstand.

Warm light flooded the room, causing me to squint at the form that appeared in the door.

Camden with a bed head.

“Spider or bad dream?” August asked, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Spider,” Camden mumbled. “I woke up thirsty and saw it on the wall.”

August nodded and climbed out of bed. “I’ll get rid of it, darlin’.”

“Thank you, Daddy. Can I sleep in here with you?”

I extended my arm as August said of course.

Soon, I had Camden crawling up in my arms, and I pulled the duvet to his chin.

“Yay, you’re still wearing the bracelet,” he said softly.