Page 99 of Until I Own You

Bridget drops her cocktail menu and sighs. “Gimlet.”

“Not too sweet.” I nudge Abigail’s arm.

Abigail rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

Bridget wraps her arms around herself. She’s holding back. Not the usual firecracker she can be at events like this. Not letting it all fly off the handle. Trying to be controlled. For me…and perhaps because she’s scared.

I still adore her just the way she was before we began our…dynamic. While she was always so free, I was withholding. We balanced each other out that way.

I remind myself that we have time to develop our understanding of our arrangement.

Although I’m tired of calling it an arrangement. It’s a relationship the same as anyone else’s. Not one that can see the light of day, but…

I look at the rest of the table and feel my blood wanting to boil.

Why can’t our relationship see the light of day? Edwin was Sonia’s boss. And Sonia was the ex-girlfriend of Edwin’s son. Meanwhile, Laney was Mason’s ex-girlfriend before Nate fell for her. Mason couldn’t let go either and now the three of them are in their own little love bubble.

Look at how well they all get along now.

We’re fucking adults. Things were weird at first in every case and then we built a bridge and got over it because…because they’re happy.

And Bridget makes me happy. She has since I met her, though I wasn’t always clear about that.

She lights up a room. Her not-so-innocent glimmering eyes always have been filled with curiosity and vitality that’s scared me.

She made me so happy I didn’t know what to do with myself.

After everything that happened to me, I wasn’t ready to accept that there would ever be a bright side again. So, I kept her at arm’s length…all the while fending off the interest of any other guy.

I wanted her to be mine because she was beautiful, yes, and I knew somewhere inside we were meant for each other. A perfect match.

But I’ve been working for ten years to be closer to her sunshine.

Now I’m not afraid to burn.

Fuck, I might love this girl.

“Sir?”

The voice calling me that is wrong.

I snap to attention, look at the server now at my shoulder, her face bent so close to me I can smell the suffocating scent of her spicy perfume.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Bourbon. Rocks.”

“Do you have a pref–”

“Most expensive.” I point at Edwin. “It’s on him, anyway. “

Edwin chuckles, nonplussed by my sticking him with the bill.

The server lifts her eyes to Bridget, her mouth about to form the question.

I interject before she can utter a single word. “And she’ll have a gimlet. Extra splash of simple syrup, she likes it on the sweet side.”

The server moves on to Abigail and Jack, but I hear none of their exchange. My eyes gravitate to Bridget.

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