Page 97 of Leave Before I Love You
Henry
The private airport in Miami is sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let the bright Florida sun pour in. Planes of every size sit on the tarmac, their polished exteriors gleaming like mirrors. Avery stands next to me, looking effortlessly beautiful as always, with her single suitcase parked neatly by her feet.
“I’m impressed,” I say, nodding toward the suitcase. “One bag? Really? Who are you, and what have you done with Avery Banks?”
She smirks, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “What can I say? Surviving on whatever I could fit into a fanny pack for two weeks changes your perspective.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re so full of shit, baby. I know your ass is already planning on doing some shopping the moment we land.”
“Well,duh.I didn’t exactly have time to find a wedding dress.”
I laugh, but the sound fades as we walk toward the plane. The shiny jet sits waiting for us, its engines humming softly. For a moment, the reality of boarding another plane hits both of us at once. I see it in the way her hand tightens around my arm, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she fidgets slightly. My own chest feels heavier, memories of that flight that led us to the island flashing through my mind.
Before we reach the steps, I stop us and pull her into my arms. “We’re going to be safe,” I whisper, brushing a kiss against her temple. “I won’t let anything happen to you or our baby.”
She looks up at me, her eyes soft and full of trust. “I know.” She presses a kiss to my lips. “It’s not in your vocabulary to let me down. Now, let’s go get hitched.”
I chuckle, but as she starts up the steps, a thought grips me.
Something I need to do before we take off.
“Hey, I’ll be right there,” I call after her. “I need to make a quick call.”
She glances back, curious but not pressing. “Okay.”
Turning to the flight attendant, she switches gears instantly. “How many pilots are on this flight?” I hear her ask. “And are any of you trained in emergency medical situations?”
The seriousness in her tone is so perfectly Avery, I can’t help but smile.
Shaking my head, I pull out my phone and hit dial.
“I’ve been waiting for this call.” Beau’s voice—sharp but laced with humor—greets me by the second ring.
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah,” he says. “I mean, my best friend is apparently in a secret relationship with my sister, but funny thing is, I didn’t hear this news from him. I heard it from my wife.”
Oh shit…
“Be nice, Beau!” I hear June yell in the background.
“So, about that,” I begin, a cringe taking shape on my face. “I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
“Meaning to, but just haven’t gotten around to it?” Beau asks.
“Things have been a little busy.”
“Too busy to call your best friend and tell him you’re not just in a relationship with his sister but also having a baby with her?”
Well,fuck.“So, it seems like June really cleared it all up for me, huh?”
“She told me, sure. Wouldn’t say she cleared it up. Pretty sure that’s your job.”
“I’m sorry, Beau,” I apologize immediately. “It wasn’t my intention to keep this from you. You’re my best friend, man. That’s the last thing I wanted to do. Things just… Being on that island with Avery, it changed everything.”
The line goes quiet for a moment before Beau speaks again. “Do you love her?”
“More than anything,” I say without hesitation. “I love Avery more than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything. And I swear, Beau, I’m going to take care of her. Take care of her and our baby. Protect them. Make sure they know every day how much I love them.”
