Page 80 of Leave Before I Love You
Addy pulls back, studying him intently, then nods. “You needs a hat.”
Henry grins. “A hat? Well, if you’ve got a hat for me, then I’m in.”
Addy giggles, and I can’t take my eyes off the scene. He’s so good with her, so natural. My chest feels tight as I watch him spin her around once, making her laugh even harder before setting her back on her feet.
I don’t even realize I’ve been staring until June sidles up next to me, her pregnant belly brushing against my arm. “He’s always so good with her, huh?” she says, nodding toward Henry.
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Henry’s always been good with kids.”
June gives me a knowing look, and for a moment, my stomach twists.Does she know about me and Henry?The thought makes me feel a little on edge, but before I can overthink it, she smiles and says, “It’s just nice to see him so relaxed. He’s had a tough year, and it feels like, I don’t know, he’s finally Henry again, you know?”
Her words brush away my panic, but only slightly. I nod, trying to seem nonchalant. “Yeah.”
Henry is standing near the grill now, chatting with my dad and Beau. I catch bits and pieces of their conversation—somethingabout the Miami Dolphins and how their draft picks are looking this year. My dad claps Henry on the shoulder, laughing at something he said, and Beau nods along, smiling.
They love him. My whole family loves him. Hell, they’ve known him since we were kids. He’s practically part of the family already, even though no one knows about us. No one knows that most nights, I’m at his place, curled up in his bed, stealing kisses in the dark and touching like we can’t get enough of each other.
I feel June watching me, and I force myself to look away from Henry. “What?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Nothing,” she says, smirking, but before she can say anything else, my dad’s booming voice cuts through the air.
“Who wants more burgers?”
I rub at her belly and turn the attention on her for just a second as the crowd shifts their focus away from us. From a couple of prepubescent girls to this, our friendship has been through it all. I may have thrown a little hissy fit when she and my brother got together, but I’m so thankful for it now.
“I love you, Juni. Even when you’re whacked out with hormones or letting my brother get away with entirely too much or stalking my every move. You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and I just want you to know…”
“Yeah?”
“I’m so glad it’s your vagina about to get ripped open and not mine.”
June goes through all the emotions, transitioning quickly from tears to laughter as I flip the script on her, shoving me in the shoulder.
“Oh my God. You just wait, Avery Banks! One day, it’s going to happen to you, and if it doesn’t, I’m going to spend the rest of our meals together wishing you wrinkles!”
“Ah!” I gasp.
“That’s right,” she says, doubling down. “If you’re celebratingthe downfall of my vagina, I’m wishing you crow’s-feet. Starting tomorrow at our lunch at the diner.”
I shake my head and wave taunting fingers at her as she waddles away to mingle with the rest of the crowd, and I do the same.Oh, June. You don’t know what you’re starting.
The evening continues in a blur of laughter and conversation. I move from group to group, chatting with cousins and old family friends, but my eyes always find their way back to Henry. Watching him joke with Ronnie and Maverick. Watching him grab another beer for my dad. Watching him laugh at something my mom says.
He looks so relaxed, so comfortable, so completely at ease. And I realize how much he fits here.How much he fits with me.
The thought makes my stomach twist in the best and worst ways because the truth is so obvious it hurts.
I’m in love with Henry.
I’vebeenin love with Henry, and leaving that stupid island before I did something impetuous like tell him doesn’t change it one bit. I brought the love home with me, and every day since, it’s grown.
I’ve never been in love before, not really. Technically, I don’t even know what it’s supposed to feel like. All I know is that when I look at him, I feel somethingbig. Something overwhelming. Something terrifying and calming all at once.
Addy runs past me again, laughing as my dad chases her, and I glance back at Henry. He’s still by the grill, talking with Beau. He’s smiling, his whole face lit up in a way that makes my chest ache.
I’m down bad. And there’s no helicopter coming to save me this time.
Henry
