Page 212 of One Wild Wish

I’d be spending the night with August Cruz, my partner in crime, who really was perusing me like my bikini-clad picture had decorated his teenage wall. I took my fill of him, too: the dark circles under his stunning eyes, his masculine jaw, the way his broad shoulders stretched his T-shirt.

He played the part of brooding singer well. Too well.

Being with him while chasing down clues would be a challenge. Already, I debated dragging him to my apartment instead of into San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. August was the best and worst distraction. One I couldn’t entertain. I had a birthday wish to fulfill by midnight tomorrow. No matter how slim the chances of that happening, I’d do my best. Which meant waiting out this storm cloud of sexual tension.

First and foremost, August and I had been friends. Best friends. If we were going to explore our undeniable connection, starting here made sense.

And I wanted to start now.

I faced our friends. “You guys okay if we take off? August agreed to help search for my father.”

Rachel spun her wineglass restlessly. “We can come, tackle other leads. Our wine tasting event later isn’t a big one. I’d be happy to cancel.”

“Whatever we can do,” Jimmy added, compassion in his earnest gaze.

Silent communication passed between Owen and Ainsley. “I was supposed to attend a store opening,” he said. “A new place selling my furniture, but I’m cool to bail. Give you whatever help you need.”

Ainsley beamed at her man, but said to me, “We’d love to come.”

A wave of warmth rolled over me. I may not have blood relatives in my life, but I had this crew, people ready to drop their commitments and come to my aid. Owen’s offer in particular touched me. He didn’t know his father, either, and his mother had disappeared from his life. He’d been lucky enough to have a loving grandmother raise him and his brother, but understanding shone in his soft brown eyes.

My throat grew scratchy. For a woman who rarely succumbed to emotion, I was sure getting blubbery today. “You guys are the best, but you have food coming, and I only have one lead so far. More people won’t help.”

Rachel pursed her lips. “Fine, but call if you need us, and we’re hitting the gym tomorrow. Come if you can. If Ainsley signs up for a step class, we can watch her trip and glare at the instructor.”

One of my favorite pastimes, and I’d hate to miss our gym time. I saw Rachel too rarely now, her Napa Valley life making our visits precious. “I’ll do my best. It just might be a shorter session than usual.”

Meeting them early shouldn’t derail my search, and something told me I’d need the girl time.

“Does that mean we’re getting out of here?” August’s leg pulled away from mine. The loss of contact was worse than if I’d found myself marooned in the tundra, cold and alone.

I nodded quickly, wondering if he’d press his hand to my lower back as we left, or walk ahead and not glance back. He did one better. He waited for me to stand and join him, then he threaded our fingers together.

My best friend, the boy I’d loved my entire life, was holding my hand.

Goose bumps erupted up my arms.

Rachel blew me a kiss. “Call if you need me.”

Ainsley copied her move. “What she said.”

“We’re heading on a run in the morning,” Owen told August. “Boys only. We’ll talk about the girls behind their backs. You should come.”

August grinned. “How could I turn that down?”

“I’ll plant a wire on him,” Ainsley fake-whispered to Rachel.

The boys joked about running naked, giving August and me a chance to leave before Ainsley unleashed more of her scary threats.

But I was gone hours ago.

So far gone for August Cruz.

He was a slight step ahead of me. I followed close on his heels until we were outside. We paused, fingers intertwined. He faced me and ran his thumb over the back of my hand. It was a simple brush, but there was nothing simple about touching August.

We both glanced at our clasped hands. My breath faltered. The past few days had been warm for April, the heatwave steaming the evenings, too. Being with August made it steamier. People passed us on the street, a blurred parade of figures. Music drifted from passing cars. Scents of gasoline and rubber permeated the air, all sensations drifting to the background.

August wound both our arms around my back, pulling me against him. “You look beautiful, Possum.”