Page 12 of Until I Have You

“So, people change.Your father changed, didn’t he?Who is to say Theo didn’t either?”

I frown.“His company collapsed because there was so much shady business going on behind the scenes they couldn’t afford to stay openlegally.And his wife left him!”

“That’s not his fault necessarily,” Sonia says.“Besides, he’s a dad now, you know?That changes a person.Being a parent.”

I scoff.“That didn’t stop my dad from–”

“God, Abigail.I know, I know.I’m not trying to undercut what happened with you and your dad.I just think that we can’t be so hard on people.I mean, if we held everyone’s past against each other, your father and I probably wouldn’t be together.”

I nod.“True, I mean how many dads get away with dating their son’s ex-girlfriends?”

Sonia’s amber skin turns ruby.“Okay, you didn’t need to spell it out like that.”

The doorbell rings, causing Emma’s head to shoot up and her body to rock.She loves the doorbell.

“Who is that?Is that aguest?”Sonia bounces her daughter.She heads past me toward the doorway but turns just before she disappears.“Abigail, it’s one night.Just try to be nice, okay?”

I stick my tongue out at her.

Sonia laughs and exits the dining room.

I look at Liam and pout my lower lip out.“You’ll hold a grudge with me, won’t you?”

Liam laughs again.

“Right answer.”I smile.

I’m about to follow Sonia out of the dining room when Dad’s voice cries out all the way from the front hall.“There he is!Ole Dory Wallbanger!”

A British accented voice I’m more familiar with than I’d like to be follows.“You know I hate when you call me that.”

I look at Liam again.“Now’s your chance.Save me.Start crying or something.”

Liam makes a sound that is very much not crying.

I sigh.“Fine.Fine.Let’s do this.”

When I walk to the front hall, I linger in the doorway, a bit in the shadows so that I can be present without calling attention to myself.

My father has a grip on Theo’s hand and upper arm, a very masculine sort of familiarity.

If I didn’t know Theo, I’d say he was one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.The accent helps immensely.But he’s also tall and well-dressed.

Today, he’s wearing a pair of dark rimmed glasses.His chestnut hair is well-coiffed and, at the temples, going slightly gray.Gives him a dignified air that is admittedly very sexy.

Well, it would be if he weren’t my father’s friend from his playboy days.

“And this must betheone and only, Bonnie.”Dad turns his attention to Bonnie who has herself pressed up against Theo’s leg.

I’ll admit, Bonnie and Theo together are very cute.They clearly love each other.But that’s not everything.I know it.

Bonnie hides her face in Theo’s pant leg.

Theo reaches down and strokes a hand through Bonnie’s hair which is nicely French-braided.

Did he do that himself?

“All right, Ed.You’re coming on a little strong.”

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