Page 49 of Until I Have You

Fuck.No, I don’t want to get emotional like this.

“Oh, Abigail…” Theo murmurs and steps closer.

Not closer.Notanycloser.

My heart lodges in my throat.Whether it’s a symptom of my story or his presence, I can’t be sure, and that’s what scares me.

“That was a complicated time for him,” he says.“And for my part, well, I’m sorry.I was quite thoughtless back then.”

“I know, and that’s why I know I haven’t been fair to you since, since forever really, so–”

“You were a child, it wasn’t your job to be fair to me,” he says.“I could have encouraged him to–”

“It doesn’t matter now.”

Theo knew me when I was a child.Which is why this pull I’m feeling to him isdisgusting.

I can’t help it, though.It’s strong, a punch to my sternum again and again.“I also told Lourdes to stay away from you.”

Theo gapes.“You did?”

“Yes, I thought…well, you know all the stuff with your company and–”Ex-wife.“She’s too good for most people, and I didn’t think highly of you, so… I’m sorry.”

“Abigail, I didn’t take you for a meddler.”

I blush.“Yeah.Sorry about that.”

“Well, I don’t accept your apology because I don’t need it,” he replies quickly.“In fact, I need to apologize to you.”

“No, that’s not–”

“Shall we agree to disagree?”

I huff.“If you’re going to be annoying about it, then yes.”

Theo smirks.

I realize he’s gotten quite close as we’ve talked, trying to keep the conversation low and distant from Bonnie who is picking through picture books.“I’d rather be annoying to you than my presence hurt you, so I’ll take that as a win.”

I roll my eyes.“Shut up.”

He chuckles, and I bat him away, a slight push except not hard enough to really put distance between us.If anything, the touch has invited him closer.

“Can I get books, Daddy?”Bonnie calls out.

“Of course, love.”

Love.

What is it with the British and that ridiculous term of endearment for anyone and anything?It’s not fair to the rest of the world who isn’t used to it.Because with that accent, that word takes on a life of its own.

Whatkindof love?Passive love?Childlike love?Lovelove?

If he weren’t so good looking, I wouldn’t be this stupid-feeling over it.

Theo takes a seat on a comfy bench and acts as Bonnie’s librarian, letting her pile up books on his lap.

I take the seat beside him, trying to leave space between us, but that feels close to impossible with his long legs.

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