Page 21 of Until I Have You

But maybe the dig went deeper than I anticipated.

“No, of course you can.”I laugh off the situation.“Well, I’m sorry again.Feel like I owe you something even more now since the aquarium and now this and–”

Bonnie emerges from the hall.“I’m ready, Daddy.”

“Better take the opportunity while you can,” Abigail says.

“Yes, that’s right.Come on, Bonnie, love.”I hold out my hand.

Bonnie takes it and smushes herself up to my side.

“Say bye to Abigail.”

“Bye, Abigail,” she whimpers.

“Bye, Bonnie.”

I open the door and give Abigail a final look.“Take care, Abigail.”

Her green eyes catch in mine.“You, too.”

I stay there probably a moment too long.

It is clear she disdains me, and something about that draws me in even more.

I want to know why.Want to know if I can fix it.

But that is completely opposite everything safe and good.

Abigail Lyons is Edwin’s daughter.And if she hates me, that’s good.

If Abigail despising me is good, though, why does it make me feel so empty?

5

ABIGAIL

My brother,Nate, lingers “I need an assistant…”

“No,” I say without looking up from my computer screen.

I’ve been staring at the application for a research fellowship taking place on the west coast of Ireland to study the puffin mating season this upcoming spring.

I’d rather not have to leave New York, family is everything to me.But it’s starting to look like the confines of New York, hell, even the tristate area, aren’t going to yield me what I need.

He drops onto the leather couch next to me.“Come on, Abs, you need a job–”

“I saidno.Besides, shouldn’tyoube doing your job right now?”

Nate rolls his eyes, a cheeky smile playing on his lips.“I’m supposed to engage with our members, you know, get data and info over what vendors they’re liking, what I should scratch next buy period…”

“Sounds thrilling.”My tone is as dry as my excitement.

“Hey!It’s important work.Without me, the club would collapse out from under us!”

I smile at my brother.He’s a far cry from the “I don’t want responsibility” surfer he was when he moved back to New York two years ago.Now he’s the primary buyer for our father’s club, meaning he’s always seeking out the latest and greatest when it comes to liquor, spirits, gourmet foods, etcetera.

Not only does he have to balance the public-facing nightclub upstairs, but the members-only club downstairs too.

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