Page 103 of Leave Before I Love You
I take the stairs two at a time, my heart racing. Luxe’s fifth floor comes into view, and it’s chaos. Blanche, Dottie, Joanne, Sarabeth, and Ethel are all pacing near the fitting area, their glittering gowns forgotten. Laura, Avery’s assistant, stands stiffly by the bathroom door, her expression a mix of fear and panic.
“Tell me she’s not going to have her baby in our bathroom,” Laura blurts the moment she sees me.
Fucking hell, I’d prefer not.
“She’s fine,” I assure her, but my gut twists.
“She’s not fine!” Ethel protests, waving her arms. “She’s been in there forever, Henry. Forever!”
“Relax, ladies. I’ve got this.”
I knock gently on the bathroom door. “Hey, baby, it’s me.”
“I’m fine,” Avery’s voice calls back, but it’s strained, and I can hear her breathing through another contraction.
“Of course you’re fine, honey,” I say lightly. “I just wanted to stop by and say hey. Give you a kiss.”
“I’m fine,” she says again, her tone sharper now. Classic Avery.
“How about you open the door for me, then? Just for a second?”
There’s silence on the other side, and then, finally, the door unlocks and cracks open.
Avery is leaning against the sink, her face damp with sweat, her normally flawless makeup smudged. She looks exhausted, but she’s still stunning. Even in fucking labor, this woman takes my breath away.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say softly, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me.
“Don’t start with the sweet talk, Henry,” she snaps, clutching the counter as another contraction hits. “It’s fine. Just practice contractions.”
“Are you sure, baby?” I question the obvious. “Because those look pretty intense.”
“I’m fine, Henry,” she snaps. “I can handle this.”
“Sure you can, baby,” I say, walking over to her. “But you don’t have to handle it alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have five busybodies and a panicked assistant waiting for me outside.” She groans as the contraction eases. “And now you.”
“Lucky you,” I tease, but my heart aches seeing her like this.
“I swear to God, if you start being all cute and supportive, I will scream.”
“Noted,” I say, suppressing a smile as I reach out and gently rub her back. “But let me just be a little supportive, okay? I’ve got you, Avery.”
She leans into me, and for a moment, she lets herself melt into my arms. “I’m scared, Henny,”
she whispers, her voice cracking. “I’m really scared.”
“I know, baby,” I say, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But you don’t need to be. I’ve got you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or our baby. I promise.”
Her wide hazel eyes meet mine, filled with tears. “You promise?”
“I promise,” I say firmly, brushing her hair away from her damp forehead.
Another contraction hits, and she grabs a fistful of my shirt,groaning through the pain. “Henry…I need drugs. Get me to a hospital now.”
I grin despite myself. “How about we get out of this bathroom first?”
“Henry.”Her tone is all Avery—sharp, demanding, and a little bit desperate.
