He seemed pleased with my sharp tone, not seeming to mind one bit that I’d been MIA. “You got it. Although I’d be careful with this stuff, it’s high in caffeine and over the recommended amount.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t.”

That was the most he got out of me all day.

I was back to avoidance the next morning. After spraying myself in coconut tanning oil and then Pilates after lunch, I was in desperate need of a shower. Unlike yesterday, I was not about to walk around the other side of the building just to get to the shower room, the quickest way was through the pool deck. Throwing my gym bag over my shoulder, I speed-walked along the side toward the showers.

“Nice work out today, huh Harp?” Beth called out to me. She and Jill were sitting at the tiki bar, laughing about something I was sure I wouldn’t find funny—not coming from him.

“How would you know, you left early,” I called back.

“Come sit for a minute.”

I was sweaty and dying to peel off my sports bra and tight pants that felt glued to my body. But I didn’t want to be rude, so I walked over, still slightly breathless.

August handed me a cool glass of lemon water without my asking.

“Sit. Join us,” he said. “So I know all about Beth and Jill here, but what’s your story?”

“Ha. Good luck. It took us four days to get this one talking,” Beth chuckled.

Jill nudged her. “Yeah, well we don’t look like him so maybe she’ll cave.”

August smirked. “I’m counting on it.”

“You girls know plenty about me,” I reminded them.

“Well you conveniently left out your love life,” Beth poked.

I sighed dramatically. “The only man I ever cared about dumped me five years ago.”

“Ouch,” August said, cringing like that really stung.

“Oh don’t worry. We got back together,” I said flashing my best crazy eyes.

“Aww, that’s sweet,” Jill smiled thoughtfully.

August crossed his arms, peering at me as I told my story.

“Well, technically it was his twin brother…but I liked to pretend it was him the entire time.”

The girls’ smiles faded. “Wait what?”

“Yep. I mean he didn’t tell me who he was, but I knew because you know, I’m not an idiot.”

August cleared his throat.

“Wait, so you pretended—like to yourself—that he was your ex?”

I smiled brightly at Beth and nodded. “Yep, cause I’m that bat shit crazy and also have zero self-respect.”

Beth and Jill glanced at each other.

I shrugged, took a sip of my water, and slipped out of the chair.

August stared at me. “You’re making this up.”

“True story.”

“I don’t believe it,” he said with a straight face.

“What part don’t you believe?”