When Josie and Max finally left the room, Levi grabbed a stack of plates from August's grasp.

"I get really good vibes from her, August. She keeps you on your toes, yet she's so polite and sweet," Levi said, his voice just above a whisper. "But you don't live here. You're just renting until London, right? I don't understand. If this was a quick fuck, you wouldn't have introduced us to her."

"She's not like that, and that's not my intention," August said gruffly. He wasn't a player or a whore, but he never had the time to give to a relationship. Sometimes he just needed some stress relief. This was different. He had time for Josie. He could no longer see himself pulling twelve hour days at the office.

"August..." Levi trailed off. The silent question lingered in the air. What was his intention then?

"She's mine."

---------

Max and Josie sat together on a plush sectional, his glass of wine swirling, threatening to go over the edge.

"August said you worked at a flower shop?" he asked the shy girl.

"That's right. What do you do?" Josie did her best to encourage the conversation along.

"I'm August's executive assistant. It's how I met Levi," Max smiled fondly at the memory.

"I bet that's a fun job," she teased lightly, relaxing when Max gave a chuckle.

"It has its moments. You must like plants or something?" He took a sip from his glass and Josie couldn't help but smile at the question.

"I love plants. I have a degree in agriculture."

"That must mean working in a flower shop is a dream come true?"

"It has its moments," she copied. "It's temporary."

"How so?"

"The dream has been to travel and so I'm saving a bit of money, or I might move some place new. I haven't made up my mind."

Max was surprised to learn this, and he found it refreshing to meet someone with goals. August would definitely not let her slip away, and a genius plan began to form Max's mind.

"Where would you like to travel to?" he asked.

"Norway is at the top of the bucket list, but Paris and Florence and Madrid. I've dreamed about them all," Josie said. She knew it was ambitious, but she liked that Max listened as if it were possible.

"What about London? August is going there in a week," Max said smoothly, integrating it effortlessly into the conversation.

August entered the room, pleased to see them both relaxed and conversing freely. He liked that Josie was becoming friends with his friends.

"I heard my name," August said, walking closer to the couch.

"Josie was telling me about her dream to travel, and I was telling her about how you're going to London."

The beast inside of August shot awake with glee. If she wanted to travel, he would take her anywhere her heart desired.

"London is an incredible journey. You could come with me, Josie," August said. He would give her the choice now, let her mull it over, and then he would see if she could deny him once more. "Dinner's ready." He left the room.

Josie's mind was reeling. Had August really invited her so casually to fly across the world with him?

Max held back a laugh at Josie's expression. She really had no idea she had captured the attention of someone who was never going to let it go. Forget traveling the world, she was about to go on an entirely different adventure.

Dinner was delicious. The conversation was minimal, but not awkward.

Finally, August met her eyes, "Come to London with me."

He was dead serious too. She had only known him a week. Was he really expecting her to travel with him?

Levi and Max were pin drop silent, anticipating how she was going to respond to August.

"I can't," she said finally.

"Why not?" he pushed.

Josie hesitated. She really didn't want to say no to him. The look he was giving her was challenging her, and she wasn't so sure she wanted to be challenged.

"I don't know you well enough to fly to London with you, and I can't afford to go just yet," she meekly whispered.

August gave a laugh, like something she said amused him. Was he making fun of her? She stared down at her plate, her cheeks growing hot.

"Max and I will load these in the dishwasher," Levi said after an awkward pause, gathering the dishes and leaving her and August alone.

August stood from his seat, before sitting down in the seat right next to hers. He was sitting so close their arms brushed together.

He lifted her head so she met his eyes. "I wasn't making fun of you," he said gently, stroking her cheek soothingly. "It amused me that you would assume you would be paying for a trip I invited you on."

August felt like shit. He never wanted to embarrass Josie or put her down in any way. He had to teach himself to be reassuring with his words and actions.

Josie didn't say anything. She soaked in his warm touch and comforting gaze. She truly appreciated that he took the time to reassure her.

"I want you to go. I fly in my private company jet so that expense is already paid for, and the company pays for the hotel. Money shouldn't be the reason that you say no to me," August said.

She wanted to be spontaneous and say yes. Someone was offering to pay for her to do what she had always dreamt about, yet insecurity held her back.

"I'll think about it," Josie whispered, even though there wasn't much time to think.

Those words were a win to August. He was genuinely excited that travelling for work would no longer be lonely. He would be able to go out and explore through the eyes of someone who was living a dream. That was pretty extraordinary.

August wrapped her in a hug, and Josie was shocked by the affection, but she wrapped her arms around him anyway. He was so warm and safe. She never wanted to leave his embrace.