Page 72 of Someone Like You

She was talking like Ian was part and parcel of the picture. He still couldn’t put his finger on where this was headed, because if he was getting this right, it was just too good to be true.

“Are you sayin’ what I think you’re sayin’?”

Abigail simply asked: “Do you love him?”

“We wouldn’t be here if you didn’t think I did.”

“I want a straight answer. Forgive the irony.”

A warm wave rippled within Ian’s chest. Brilliant sense of humour. Brilliant woman. His admiration for her couldn’t possibly spike any higher than this.

“I do,” he declared without hesitation. Guilt couldn’t taint this sentiment. Feelings couldn’t be accountable. Only the actions they spurred could be, and he was clean on the front. “I love him.”How could I not love him?

That must be what Abigail wanted to hear. “And he lovesyou,” she said, her all-business countenance waning into open friendliness. “Keeping him away from you wouldn’t change how he feels and definitely wouldn’t do his mental health any favour.”

Ian wanted something to drink now. Something strong, like his usualcaffé corretto, but without the coffee. He wanted Sandra’s wholegrappaselection.

“You’re the one for him. I’m just—”

“Who says it has to be theone?” Abigail interjected. “Why can’t it bethe two?”

Ian’s heart stopped. Shewassaying what he thought she was saying. In all nonchalance, as if it was just a dinner invitation, Abigail was putting an offer to the table that it was impossible to refuse.

“You’d do that for him?”

“Oh, Ian…” Abigail smiled affably. “I’d burn down the world and every person in it if that could make his life just a little easier. On second thought, it probablywould.”

Ian chuckled at that, knowing how true that was. “You bring the petrol, I’ll bring the matches.”

“Glad to see we’re on the same page.” Abigail’s smile grew broader and brighter. She reached out to take his hands into her own, her touch warm and eager. “Phil needs us —both of us.” An emphatic squeeze. “I’d be happy to know he’s safe in your arms when I’m away.”

Ian didn’t know what to say. All he wanted, all he could ever ask for, had just gone from an impossible dream to a possibility within reach, his to take. The scene Abigail’s words had painted could become reality: Phil, safe in his arms, without losing the woman he loved so much. It hadn’t even crossed Ian’s mind that this could be an option.

“So…” Abigail tilted her head. “Do you think you and I could beco-partners?”

“You really are one of a kind,” Ian commented, still not quite able to process what was happening.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“If we do this — if he becomesourpartner — what would that make us? You and me.”

“Good friends, I hope.”

Friends...

It sounded much less absurd than it should have.

Ian buried his face into his hands for a moment, trying to sort out the messy heap of thoughts and feelings buzzing in his head.

“What does Phil say about this?”

“He doesn’t know yet, doesn’t even know I’m here. I was sick of all that pining.” Abigail rolled her eyes with a funny grimace. “I told him you two needed to get your shit together, for better or for worse, but I had to clarify a few things with you first. What happens next, to all of us, is entirely your call. Tell him yourself.”

Ian didn’t need to think about it. “How’s this going to work?”

“How about we keep going as we always have?” Abigail proposed. “Let things flow spontaneously. And perhaps, if you don’t mind, we could spend more time together, all three of us. It’d mean the world to him.” She must’ve pondered this quite thoroughly: she had all the answers ready, not a hint of doubt. “What do you say?”

“Not many partners would’ve offered what you’re offering me,” Ian mused out loud, absently stroking the bracelet around his wrist.

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