Page 103 of Until I Own You

I’m not an insecure person. Except when it comes to Bridget. And since my life has revolved around her for ten years, perhaps I am a very insecure person.

Fuck.

Most of the time, I’m able to read Bridget’s expression, get an idea of what she’s thinking from a tiny look. But right now, I can’t. It’s all muddied, clouded over with the crack in my heart growing more intense.

I won’t survive if Bridget wants to be with another man.

I can’t hold her back either.

I’m jumping to conclusions.

Bridget is polite and sweet to a fault. She’s probably just being agreeable.

Guess I’ll take a page out of her book.

“Sounds like a great idea,” I say. “In fact, my family has a place in Key West that just sits empty. We can head out whenever we want.”

Abigail’s eyes brighten. “Key West?! That’s perfect!”

“I didn’t know you had a place in Key West, Seth.” Jack furrows a brow.

“I…” I lick my lips, then look into my plate of mostly untouched tiramisu. I’m suddenly not very hungry. “It was my dad’s place. Don’t go much.” Haven’t gone ever since he died.

Jack exchanges a look with Bridget. “We can go somewhere else. We can find a place, no problem.”

Bridget nods.

“Are you kidding? Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Jackie boy.” Abigail is far gone with her old fashioneds…and she’s supposed to be half-Irish. Her tolerance is blasphemous.

“It’s fine, guys.” I force a smile. “It’ll be nice to go back there. Been a while.”

Abigail starts raving about all of the things we’ll do. The bars we’ll go to, the days lounging on the beach, the shopping, the outings.

And I retreat into myself. Wish I could be anywhere but here right now.

Until I feel Bridget’s foot against mine under the table.

I look up at her, find her beautiful, sympathetic smile. Her fingers touching the dip of her clavicle reminding me of her collar. The one I wish she could wear out in the world.

She belongs to me. And she fucking knows it. The whole world should know it too.

And I…belong to her. My heart aches for her. I want a life with her. I want to be a part of the coupley end of the table, want to be able to smile at each other, knowing that we will go home together, that the other side of the bed won’t be empty.

If I could tell her tonight, I would.

But there are parts of me she doesn’t know yet.

Key West will be perfect for that. Or it might wreck me.

19

BRIDGET

Abigail’s voice interrupts my concentration. “Put that phone away! You’re on vacation!”

I look up from the text I’m trying to send. “I can’t just leave Deborah Angelise on read, Abigail.”

My friend crosses her arms, leaning into her hip.

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