Page 56 of Until I Have You

“What are you doing, Abigail?”

She glances back over her shoulder, folds her arms right below the small swells of her breasts.

Jesus Christ, does she know what she’s doing?

“Making conversation?Is that all right?”

I stare at her.

“If you wanted to be alone, you should have just–”

“You knew I was on a date, of course I’d want to be alone.”

Her composed exterior falters.“Do you like her?”

No, but I can’t have the person I want by my side.

I pinch the bridge of my nose.“I’ve spoken with her for less than two hours, how the hell should I know if I like her?”

“She’s chased plenty of men at the club,” she says.“You wouldn’t be the first.She’s after money, that’s all.”

“Oh, Abigail…”

She grips her hands at her sides.“It’s true!”

“Why do you care?You drove Lourdes off, didn’t you?”

She takes a step closer to me.“I apologized for that.”

“Yes, I suppose you did, but I thought that meant you’d be backing off,” I say, holding my hands up flat and pushing at the air.“Because you shouldn’t be bothered with my love life.”

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

I scoff.“Whyshouldyou be?”

“I asked first!”

“We are not going to do this immature song and dance.”

Abigail furrows her brow.“I’m not immature.”

“I didn’t sayyouwere immature, I said that this banter is–”

“Why shouldn’t I care about you?”

I hesitate.“I didn’t say that.”

She takes another step toward me.“I take care of your daughter.I care who you bring into her life.”

“So do I.Obviously.”

“You shouldn’t be with someone who is only going to use you up for your money.That’s what got Bonnie hurt in the first place.”

I flinch.“You can’t assume what happened between me and my–”

“Fine!I won’t assume.But I won’t let you waste your time with women like that.”

I look down at Abigail who stands barely a foot away from me now.“Abigail, I’m two decades older than you.”

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