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Lavinia stayed silent, but looked between us, amused. She was likely just as aware of the sexual tension between Abby and me as we were.
After we finished eating, I got up to take my bowl over to the sink. Abby cleared the rest of the table while I handled the dishes. When she started wiping down the counter near me, I felt my body stir. She looked up, and when her eyes met mine, I knew I’d been kidding myself thinking I was the one doinghera favor with this visit. I’d missed seeing her, and I’d been off balance ever since I’d discovered she’d gone out with that bloke from work.Ihad needed to see her tonight, andthat’s why I was here.
“Are you sleeping here tonight?” she asked.
“I was debating it.”
“It’s mild out. Since you don’t have to go back to London, want to take a walk?”
I closed the dishwasher. “Sure. Yeah.”
“You want to come, Lavinia?” Abby asked.
“Oh, no. You two have fun. You don’t need me slowing you down.”
“We can walk slowly,” Abby insisted.
“No. I’d prefer to relax and watch something on the telly, but thanks for the offer.” Lavinia flashed me a knowing look, which made me suspect she wasn’t coming along specifically so Abby and I could be alone.
I glared at her as Abby and I got our jackets and headed outside. It was indeed a beautiful night—just a slight breeze, but not too cold. The leaves rustled as we made our way down the street before turning right onto the first side road.
“So, to what do we owe the honor of your presence tonight, Sig?”
“I just thought it was time I came and said hello.”
“I’m glad you did. Lavinia was beginning to get concerned.”
“Just Lavinia?”
Even in the darkness, I could see her blush.
“Well, I wondered if you were avoiding me again.”
My mind went to war with itself.Don’t do it. Don’t ask.“I heard you went on a date with Sean.”
Her eyes widened. “How did you know about that?”
“I overheard one of the gossipmongers at work talking about it.”
“Really? I never told anyone, but come to think of it, Kim from HR saw us out. That’s probably how they know.” We walked in silence for a few moments. “Aren’t you going to ask me how it went?”
“It’s none of my business.”
“You used to think I was your business. Just ask Alistair. What changed?”
“That was to protect you fromhimspecifically. I have no business interfering if I don’t have a good reason.”
“I kind of liked it when you interfered, when you showed interest. It’s not fun when you go MIA. You disappeared again, even though you promised not to.”
“I know. But I caught myself this time. Why do you want me around anyway? Isn’t it better for everyone if I give you occasional space?”
She looked around us. “Who’s everyone? It’s just you and me in this equation. We’re the only two people sharing this experience. Phil and Kate are in the States. So yeah, I like having you around. It would be nice if you didn’t disappear again.”
When she put it that way, I felt like crap for continuing to distance myself. She needed my support. The fact that I no longer trusted myself shouldn’t have gotten in the way of being here for her. She was carrying my child, for heaven’s sake.
“Sometimes I think it’s better for you when I disappear.”
She slowed her pace. “Better for me, why?”
