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“Why didn’t you say something before she traveled all the way there, if that’s how you feel? We would’ve never encouraged her to come meet you now. We would’ve waited or—”
“I wanted to do it for you. But meeting her made me realize that everything is…happening so fast.”
“Okay.” She exhaled. “I’m glad you said something. Maybe we need to take a step back.”
My chest hurt. I hated disappointing them. They’d been through enough.
“Abby wants to leave the UK early,” she said.
I nodded. “I suspected that.”
“Well, that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
Shutting my eyes, I muttered, “I’m sorry, Kate.”
“You can’t help how you feel, Sig.” She exhaled. “You don’t need to apologize. We’ll figure this out, okay? I’ll call you again soon to check in.”
After we hung up, I stared at the wall for several minutes before deciding to go back to London. I’d just need to say goodbye to Abby. On the way down the hall, I passed the open door to her empty bedroom.
When I got downstairs, I found Abby sitting on the couch in the living room with Lavinia. She had Lavinia’s legs up on her lap while she painted her toenails.
They hadn’t noticed me, so I stood at the base of the stairwell, watching them.
Despite the fact that I’d upset her earlier, Abby was all smiles. She spoke softly to Lavinia, who seemed to be in heaven with the pampering. There was no denying that this girl was quite fit. I hadn’t expected her to be such a bombshell. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d come across in a long while. Her chestnut brown hair fell to the middle of her back, and her features reminded me of a younger version of the actress Diane Lane. A tall, gorgeous brunette had been exactly my type before I’d met my wife—who ironically had been short with blond hair, resembling Tinkerbell.
I cleared my throat to announce myself. “I thought you were leaving.”
“Who told you that?” she asked without making eye contact as she continued to paint Lavinia’s toes.
“Kate called.”
“I hope she gave you a piece of her mind.”
I rubbed my chin scruff. “She wasn’t thrilled with the current state of affairs.”
Abby looked up at me. “Well, unfortunately, as much as I would love to escape this uncomfortable situation, there are no available flights until tomorrow night.” She resumed applying the paint. “Thank goodness Lavinia is cool as hell because the rest of the company here is no bueno.”
Lavinia turned to me. “I complimented Abby on her toenail color, and she offered to do mine since I can’t bend anymore. Sweet as pie, she is.”
“Rhubarb pie, maybe.” I smirked.
“You just can’t stop yourself, can you?” Abby grinned through her teeth.
She seemed to be taking it all in stride now. She wasn’t going to put up with my shit, and I had to say, that was definitely a point in her favor. It was the same quality I’d appreciated about my wife.
“Have you always been such a pill,Sigmund?” she asked, my name rolling off her tongue like an expletive.
“Not when you get to know him,” Lavinia chimed in. “He’s been through a lot, but that doesn’t give him an excuse to be an arse.”
I glared at her. “Thanks for your assessment, Lavinia.”
“Well, it’s the truth. I have your number, Sigmund. I know you better than most.”
Abby blew on Lavinia’s toes before closing the bottle of polish. “I think we’re good to go, but stay here for about fifteen minutes to let them dry. Take the time to relax.”
“I feel like a queen.” Lavinia beamed.
Abby got up from the couch. “I’ll walk you out, Sig,” she said, striding past me as if she were the owner of this place and not me.
