Page 28 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“Now you have the perfect babysitter. You need to get out and meet someone. That will make your mother happy, and you. You’ve been on your own way too long,” Damian said. “You both have.”

Andrew rolled his eyes, his gaze locking on Christian’s before a frown appeared between his brows.

As if sensing his unease, Andrew deflected. “Just because you have the perfect relationship.”

Damian scowled at Andrew. “You know my relationship has been far from easy. Relationships aren’t, they take work. But unless you try, you won’t ever find someone.”

“True, but you and Star had history. We are starting from scratch and the thought of having to get to know someone, work out whether I even like them. Then, if I want to introduce them to Olivia, to only have it go wrong. I’m not sure I have the energy. I barely get a minute to myself with the hospital and television work as it is. How am I supposed to fit anyone else into our lives and hope to make it work without affecting Olivia?” Andrew sighed.

Christian knew Damian meant well. He was happy, and he wanted his friends to find that same happiness. Christian had had that. He had everything he had ever wanted and more, with Lily, Star’s sister. But she was gone, and he had broken her heart.

Damian shook his head. He was not dropping it. “Just think about it. We’re not designed to be alone. Being with someone else, sharing your hopes and dreams. It’s worth the pain. Not to mention the sex.”

This was not a conversation Christian wanted to get into right now. He needed to get out of there. “I’ve got to go.”

He knew it was too early, the look on the other’s faces was one of confusion, but he couldn’t worry about that now. He needed some air. Standing up, he grabbed his coat and didn’t hang around, heading straight for the door. He would pop into the school and catch Skylar in her costume. She’d been messaging him and sending him pictures all week. He would not, could not, ever let her down. She was all he had left of the love of his life. The one person he’d promised never to hurt and instead had destroyed. A ball of emotion formed in his throat, almost choking him. He needed to see his little girl, to hug her, and then everything would be all right. Then, he would once again ask Lily for her forgiveness.

∞∞∞

“Daddy.”

Christian caught his daughter as she flew at him, pulling her in for a hug.

“Hey, Princess,” Christian said, holding her hand and having her do a twirl in her costume. “Wow, I love your costume.”

“It’s really cool, isn’t it?” she said, giving him another twirl. “Olivia’s costume matches. Ana, her new nanny, made it for her.”

“I heard,” Christian said, smiling at the little girl behind Skylar. “Hi, Olivia. How are you?”

“I’m good, thank you,” Olivia replied.

“I need to go home and do some work, but I wanted to come and see your costume. Where’s Mummy?” Christian said, hating that he was lying to his daughter but needing to get away.

“Mummy’s serving sweets over there,” Skylar said, pointing to the far corner of the hall. “She’s banned us from eating any more.”

Skylar’s lips went down in disgust, and Christian had to swallow his grin. His daughter’s face was incredibly expressive. No surprise, with a mother who was an actress. A pang of regret and loss speared his chest. Lily would have loved these moments with Skylar. Life was unfair.

“I’m going to pop over and see Mummy,” Christian said.

“Okay.”

Skylar wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a quick squeeze before grabbing Olivia’s hand and heading back into the throes of the party.

Christian made his way over to the table, where Star and Laura were busy serving sweets to a mass of children. They would all be going home on a serious sugar high.

Star looked up, her face brightening when she saw him. Christian still could not believe they’d become such good friends over the past year. Star moved around the table before reaching up and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Where are the others?”

“I left them in the pub,” Christian said, although something must’ve shown on his face as Star quirked an eyebrow. She never missed a thing.

“I need to do some work,” Christian said, replying to her unasked question.

“Sure you do... What were they talking about? Dating by chance?”

How was this woman so astute?

“Maybe.”

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