Page 18 of Until I Have You

“Why don’t you leave it to me?”Edwin says.“I’ll set you up with some people.You know, they’ll be vetted.You won’t have to do the run around at bars or on dating apps.”

I wince.“God, dating apps.”

“Exactly.I’ll do all the heavy lifting.You won’t have to think about it.I’ll just tell you where to go and who you’re meeting up with.”

I smile.“Look, Edwin–”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t already been trying.”

I have been, that’s true.But nothing meaningful.

A night here, a night there.When Bonnie has been with a nanny, or I’ve been out of town.

At Edwin’s wedding, I was flirting up a storm with his best man’s daughter, although that didn’t pan out.For good reason.None of that was serious, though.I just needed…an outlet.

It doesn’t work anymore.One night in bed with someone doesn’t give me any satisfaction.

“I suppose it’s not a bad idea,” I finally concede.

“You’re right because it’s a great idea!”Edwin grins.

I narrow my eyes.“No one younger than me, though.That got me in trouble the first time.”

“Oh, come on, give me at least a decade to work with.”

“Five years.Hard limit.”I shake my head.“After Esme, I can’t do the younger woman thing.”

Another reason, of a multitude, to stay away from Abigail.

Edwin sighs.“You can’t carry your pain with you forever, Theo.”

I raise an eyebrow.“It’s been two years, Edwin.”Two years since I found out.Two years since my marriage collapsed in a single moment.Two years since everything fell apart after that.“You know, Esme and Colin and are getting married.”

Edwin winces.“Seriously?”

“Yes.Exactly.Now tell me I can’t carry my pain forever.”

I sink back the rest of my drink.The society pages had a field day with the engagement announcement.Twin Brother of Disgraced Theodore Wallington engaged to Esme Wallington!“She doesn’t even have to change her bloody last name.”

Edwin smiles with sympathy.“Forget about her, all right?She’s not in your life anymore.Not in Bonnie’s.”

I sigh.“No.She’s not.”

For better.It’s better this way.Right?

“You’re moving on.Starting a new venture.Making a new home.And you’ve got us through it all, all right?Me, Sonia, my kids.We’re there for you.”

My insides brace at the mention of his children.It’s an important reminder.

Abigail Lyons is just that.ALyons.Through and through.

And no matter what perverse thoughts my brain has of her, she will always be my best friend’s daughter.

Maybe it’s good I peeved her off earlier.That means the boundary is stronger than ever before.

“Let me do this for you.We can find you your person.And we’ll find Bonnie hers.”

I smile at the thought of Bonnie finding “her person.”

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