Page 69 of Until I Have You

She is not more well-behaved during dinner.

We sit across from each other which gives her prime opportunity to stare.

We promised.One night.We had terms and conditions.

This is what happens when you don’t actually sign a contract.It’s too easy to make things null and void.

It doesn’t help I have to watch Abigail be absolute perfection with Bonnie.She helps her cut her chicken, makes sure her napkin is on her lap, whispers jokes to her.

She’d make an incredible mother to my daughter.Which is another reason it is so impossible to put her into the camp of one-time lover.

I could have her every night for the rest of my life, and my daughter could have this joy every day too.

Yet, every time I get too entrenched in these thoughts, I remember…

“I have some leads for you, Dory.”

I snap out of my haze, lock in on Edwin’s face.He hasn’t noticed I’ve been zoned out, rooting around on his salad dish for a crouton eluding his fork.“Have you?”

“Mhm.I mean, I’ve got a club full of people who could be your clients.Just got to get one, and a whole fire will start blazing.Other than me, of course,” he says with a smile.

“Great, send them over.”

“Of course, you can’t ghost them.”

I raise an eyebrow.“Ghost them?”

“Yes, like you’ve been dipping out of these dates I’ve had you set up on the past two weeks?”

I cough on my own spit.

“Not in front of…” I glance at Bonnie.

She’s perfectly content trying to make a volcano with her potatoes and gravy with Nate’s help.

However, Abigail is otherwise unoccupied.And she’s staring directly at me.

“Told you.Been busy with work.”

“I know, I know.I’m just saying, you’re not getting any younger,” Edwin says with a smirk.

Sonia tsks from his elbow.“Don’t be mean.”

“I’m just saying, I have only so many women in his age demographic to pawn him off to.They have high standards.”

“As they should,” his wife says.

“Yes, but one cancellation can drive them off.”Edwin pats off his mouth with a napkin before shrugging.“I’m just saying, my resources aren’t limitless.”

Abigail speaks up.“Why does he need to date in his age group?”

My eyes widen.

Edwin shrugs.“That’s his preference.”

“But why?”Her forehead screws up with wrinkles.She turns her attention to me.“Why is that your preference?”

I swallow.“Just is.”

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