Page 100 of Until I Own You

I drink in the soft smile on her lips, the warmth of her cheeks, and the way she’s looking at me.

It’s not with lust. It’s not in submission.

Could that be love too?

After the server saunters off to put in our drink orders, Abigail’s fiery eyes shoot to me. “Okay, what the hell is going on?”

“Abigail, relax…” Bridget says.

“He’s being nice to you. He’s never nice to you,” Abigail retorts.

My heart sinks to my stomach.

I know that’s the truth, and yet hearing my reputation out loud isn’t a good feeling.

“I’m turning over a new leaf.” I force a smile. “Is that so hard to believe?”

Abigail’s jaw drops, her freckled forehead creased with wrinkles.

Jack shakes his head. “Jeez, Abigail. Why do you always have to get involved in other people’s business?”

I glance at the other half of the table. They’re all caught in their coupley bliss, not paying any mind to us.

“Well, I just–I’m just confused! Did you know about this, B?”

Bridget opens her mouth to respond, then closes it, unsure what to say.

“I mean, did he even apologize for the hell he’s put you through?”

I choke on a sip of water. “H-hell?”

Abigail’s eyes narrow, a minxy smile appear on her lips. “Do you know how much Bridget has fretted over your liking her since, well, since forever?”

Jack narrows his eyes at his sister. “You were like eleven when they met, you knew nothing about it.”

“I was thirteen, asshole,” Abigail hisses.

I splay my hands out. “Okay, okay, let’s relax, let’s…”

Abigail takes a deep breath. Her temper has gotten wilder lately.

Sometimes, her face matches her deep scarlet hair. “I just want to know if you apologized to her. Because she deserves that for all the time she spent fretting that you didn’t like her and all the times she tried.”

Have I apologized? I don’t…I don’t know.

Jack rolls his eyes. “Why are you sticking your nose in their business?”

Abigail crosses her arms over her chest. “It’s all our business because we’ve all put up with their fighting for years, haven’t we?”

I fix my eyes on Bridget.

Her silence is speaking volumes. She’s trying to be good.

I don’t doubt getting ready for this event was stressful. Because she wants to get it right.

My sweet sub. Wanting to make things right for me always.

“Fine.” I cut Abigail off from her next tirade. “You’re right. I owe Bridget an apology.”

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