Page 99 of Leave Before I Love You
My Avery.
She’s standing at the other end of the aisle in a white dress that clings to her in all the right places, with lace sleeves and a neckline that’s sweet and sexy all at once. Her brown hair is swept up, but a few loose curls frame her face.
She looks…perfect. Ethereal.Mine.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, baby!” I call toward her, loud enough that everyone in the room can hear me. Not that there’s a huge crowd. Just a couple of the chapel staff and the Elvis impersonator standing by the door. But still, Avery blushes, and it’s my new favorite sight.
She reaches the front of the room, and when I take her hands in mine, they’re warm and steady. Unlike mine.Damn, how is she this calm?
“You good?” she asks, her hazel eyes twinkling as she whispers just to me.
I nod. “Better than good. You?”
“I’m marrying you, Henny,” she says with a grin. “Of course I’m good.”
The officiant clears his throat, clearly used to wrangling couples who can’t keep their hands or eyes off each other. “Shall we begin?”
Avery nods, squeezing my hands once. “Let’s do it.”
As the officiant starts talking, saying the usual stuff about loveand commitment, I’m not really listening. I’m just watching Avery, marveling at how she’s moments away from being my wife. Being mine forever. Her lips curve into a soft smile, and I’m hit with a wave of gratitude so strong it’s hard to breathe.
The officiant goes through his whole spiel, and the entire time, I can’t take my eyes off her.Fuck, I love this woman.
Truthfully, I’m not even sure what he’s saying for the most part, but I do know when I need to start paying attention.
“Do you, Henry Callahan, take Avery Banks to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” I say without hesitation.
“And do you, Avery Banks, take Henry Callahan to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“Hell yes,” she answers, making the officiant grin.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I don’t waste a second. I pull her close, cradling her face in my hands, and kiss her like my life depends on it. She wraps her arms around my neck, and she melts into me, her lips soft and warm and perfect.
The room erupts in cheers—probably thanks to Elvis—but I barely notice. All I can focus on is Avery. My wife.
When we finally pull apart, her cheeks are flushed, her eyes shining with happiness.
“We did it,” she whispers.
“Damn right, we did.”
And then I kiss her again, because I can. Because as of today, she’s officiallymine.
February 26th
Avery
Henry and I pull up to my parents’ house, my ass in his Range Rover and my heart in my throat. Their mansion looms large and elegant in the warm Miami evening, its lights spilling out like an inviting beacon. The only thing not inviting is the fact that we’re about to walk into a dinner where my mom and dad have no idea we got married. Or that I’m pregnant.
Henry cuts the engine and turns to me, his hand resting on my knee. “Are you still regretting not calling them before we headed to Vegas and got hitched forty-eight hours ago?”
I sigh and tilt my head toward the seat. “No… Yes… I don’t know.”
He chuckles, brushing his thumb lightly against my skin. “You don’t know?”
