Page 139 of Until I Have You

“Welcome, dearie,” she replies.“I hope you don’t mind me saying what a handsome couple you make,” she says, her nose scrunching, adding to all the wrinkles on her face.

My eyes flick to Abigail.

She’s beaming, impossible to hide behind her hand.

I’m glad our age difference, whether obvious or not, hasn’t overwhelmed our ability to be a cute pair.I’d hate for someone to think we’re father and daughter.

I gesture toward Abigail.“It’s all her, believe me.”

“Not all, but certainly a large percentage,” the older woman says with a crooked finger in the air.Then, she goes on her way, humming toward the next table.

Abigail watches her go, avoiding my expectant eye contact.Being coy.Playing hard to get.

God, I love her.“What do you think?”

“About what?”

I reach my hand across the table.“Do you think we make a handsome couple?”

Abigail places her hand in mine, letting her gaze linger on our touching hands.“Are you asking me if we’re a couple?”

“I might be trying to determine whether you think we should be a couple or if I need to accept my love is unrequited.”

She giggles.

“Might kill me.Might turn me into some tragic hero.”

“Theo.”

I follow the bumps of her knuckles.“I’ll survive.Hopefully.”

Her foot makes contact with my shin under the table.“Don’t joke about that.”

“Right, sorry, sorry.”

We sink into the touching of our hands.Every moment since we reunited feels like forever and yet, not nearly long enough.

Abigail’s warm expression softens with solemnity.“I can’t choose you over my family again, Theo.”

“You won’t have to.I spoke with your father before I came here.To ask his blessing to come after you.”

Abigail’s hand recoils.“You asked hisapproval?”

“Wait, wait, wait.”I take her hand again, trying to massage away her tension.

I’m grateful she doesn’t pull away, gives me an opportunity to explain myself before she jumps away.“Let me explain my thinking before you determine me and your father are trying to run your life.”

She lets out a tight sigh but allows me to continue.

“Our mistake was being so insular…thinking we could give each other everything.Give Bonnie everything.I know how much you gave up to choose me, Abigail.And I would not have come here if it would have meant continuing to separate you from your family.”

It takes a moment, but she eventually nods.“I understand.But I need your word that you won’t try and interfere ever again in my choices.I want to be there for you and Bonnie, but I matter too.”

“Absolutely.Never again.”

Abigail worries her lower lip with her teeth.“I don’t know how to fix this.With my dad.My family.It’s been so long since I’ve spoken to them and–”

“In time, love.There’s time,” I squeeze her hand.“I’ll stay here with you as long as you like.I’ll send for Bonnie.We’ll work things out for ourselves first.And if you’ll let me and maybe your mum, we can help open the doors for you and your dad.You don’t have to muscle it by yourself.”

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