Page 40 of Until I Have You

“Doing what?”

“I don’t know!All of it.Why did I come to New York?Why did I decide to open a whole new business after I royally cocked-up the other one?Why am I doing all this to Bonnie, and why am I–”

“Slow down, Theo.You’re talking a mile a minute.”

I sigh, letting my arms fall at my sides.“It’s all so much.”

“That’s life.”

“Yes, I know it’s life, you needn’t remind me.”

Edwin’s eyes widen.“All right, sorry.”

I know I shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds me.

Edwin’s done so much for me the past couple of years.He’s my one true friend in the world.

“I’m sorry.”

From down the hall comes a peel of Bonnie’s laughter.

My insides soften.

Sonia and Bonnie are in the kitchen baking a box of brownies together.

Admittedly, when I asked Edwin if I could come over after work spur of the moment, I was half hoping Abigail was in.No such luck.

“Don’t be sorry,” Edwin says.“It’s been a hard go.But you did all this for Bonnie.That’s why you do it.”

I sit down heavily.“Yes, yes, you’re right.”I fold my hands in a prayer position and rub my palms together.“I can’t be doing it all on my own like this.”

“Things didn’t pan out with Helene?”

“One date is hardly enough time to tell, but…” I sigh.“No, I don’t think it will work out.”

Not when my mind is preoccupied with a beautiful redhead who wants to fight the world on her own, tooth and nail.Who wants to remain wild and thinks that means pushing people away.

Edwin resituates in his seat.“And you don’t want a nanny, why?”

“Because I can do it.I don’t need a nanny.”

“You’re a single parent, Theo.”

“So?”

“So!Most people have trouble doing it in a pair, much less doing it alone.”

From the front hall, a voice cries out, “I’m home!”

Abigail.

I lock every muscle in my body to avoid a reaction from my face or worse…something lower.

“Abigail?”Bonnie cries out from the kitchen.

“Is my best friend here?”Abigail returns.

My heart soars so high it might as well be out of my body.

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