Page 79 of Leave Before I Love You
I know what lies beneath the surface, I know her heart, and I know the humor she uses to hide it all. I know all of it.
I know all of her.
And one day, she’s going to be officially, publicly, one hundred percent mine.
February 22nd
Avery
The hum of laughter and the buzz of conversation fill my parents’ backyard. Fairy lights drape from tree to tree, twinkling in the fading sunlight. It’s one of those perfect Miami evenings where the heat isn’t oppressive, just warm enough to keep you outside without complaint, and I don’t know that I’ve ever enjoyed it as much as I am tonight.
The gender reveal party for Beau and June’s second spawn is in full swing. Of course, I already know what they’re having—so do Beau and Henry and my parents and even little Addy—but June is giving her best impression of oblivious, pregnant woman.
Frankly, it’s quite the sight, and I silently wonder if she should’ve considered an acting job in Hollywood with how dedicated she is to this insanity.
Also, it should be noted, she threatened a certain death if any of us even mentioned the word boy before the official gender reveal today.
I’m standing away from the fray of the celebration, taking it all in, a subtle contentment over the last month I’ve spent in secret with Henry making a smile rest permanently on my lips. It’s not like me to stay out of the center of the action and subsequent attention, but for some reason, I’m not feeling like I need it as much these days.
I glance across the pink-and-blue anointed outdoor space at Henry, who stands with Ronnie and Mav about ten feet away shooting the shit, and hide the growing curl of my smile behind my glass of champagne.
My parents have gone all out, as usual, and as a result, it looks like a stork landed here and promptly threw up. A massive balloon arch is set up over the dessert table, and I’m pretty sure my mom ordered enough cupcakes to feed all of Miami.
Family and friends are scattered around. My two sets of grandparents sit on well-cushioned patio chairs, smiling and chatting together. Chef Stone, my parents’ chef, is manning the grill, flipping burgers and kebabs, while my mom runs around making sure everyone has a drink in their hand and a cupcake on their plate. Typical Diane Banks behavior.
“Auntie!” Addy’s little voice breaks through the noise, and I turn to see my niece darting across the lawn like a petite pink tornado.
But she doesn’t run to me, her eyes darting over my shoulder just before she jukes me out. She runs right past me and straight into Henry’s arms.
My heart does a stupid little flip as I watch him crouch down and scoop her up with ease. He’s smiling that easy, crooked smile of his, and Addy giggles as she wraps her tiny arms around his neck.
“Henny, Henny! Guess whats?” she squeals.
“What?” he asks, tilting his head with mock seriousness.
“I’m gonna has a boy!”
Henry’s eyes go wide, and he quickly distracts Addy by pointing to a random spot in the yard. “Oh my gosh, Addy! I think I just saw a butterfly!”
“Wheres?”
“Over there!” He points again, and she follows with her eyes. Clearly, there’s no butterfly, only fear that June will pop out of the bushes and pull out a shiv from between her tits. “Oh no, I think it flew away.”
Addy pouts. “What color?”
“It was yellow.”
“Wellow!” she whines. “I’s love wellows!”
“Don’t worry, Addy. I’ll keep watching for it, okay?”
She nods. “You see and yous tells me, ’kay?”
Henry nods and presses his forehead gently against hers. “You got it.”
Addy smiles really big, tapping his cheek with her toddler hand, and then leans in close to whisper something in his ear. Of course, she’s almost two, so whispering isn’t something she has completely mastered yet, and I can hear her despite the distance. “You plays tea party.”
Henry’s face lights up with mock seriousness. “Tea party, huh? I don’t know, Addy. Do you think I’m fancy enough for a tea party?”
