Page 81 of Leave Before I Love You
The backyard is alive with cheers and excitement. Everyone gathers around Beau and June as they stand in front of a giant black balloon, ready to pop it. Considering that a lot of us already know that they’re having a boy, the suspense is almost comical. Kids are squealing, adults are laughing, and Avery and Beau’s mom is holding a hand to her chest like the reveal might just be too much for her heart to take.
Everyone is acting their part in June’s superstitious game.
I’m standing off to the side, watching it all unfold. My arms are crossed, but my attention keeps flickering to Avery. She’s standing next to June, her hand on her best friend’s arm, and like always, I can’t take my eyes off her.
Beau raises a pin, and the crowd collectively holds its breath. With one quick motion, he pops the balloon, and an explosion of blue confetti rains down. Cheers erupt, and June covers her mouth with her hands, tears spilling down her cheeks as Beau wraps his arms around her.
Their reaction is fucking adorable, but Avery’s reaction hits me like a sucker punch to the chest. Her eyes fill with tears as she steps forward to hug them both. A lot of people might see Avery as abrasive and too direct, but I know how soft and gooey she really is onthe inside. How she’s the kind of loyal and loving and supportive that makes you lucky when you’re someone she cares about.
She’s gentle with June, whispering something in her ear, and I watch with awe as Juniper’s face shifts, a laugh mixing in with her tears as Avery gives her the exact thing she needs in that moment effortlessly. She moves to her brother then, pulling him into a hug that lights up her face as bright as the decorations her mom has dotting the yard, and I watch, transfixed.
God, I love her.
That thought’s been simmering in the back of my mind for weeks now, but seeing her here, surrounded by her family, her joy spilling out in every direction…it solidifies my feelings beyond reasonable doubt.
I’m in love with her. Completely, irreversibly in love with Avery Banks.
My chest tightens as I watch her crouch down to scoop up Addy, twirling her around in the grass.
Addy’s giggling, her little arms wrapped tightly around Avery’s neck, and Avery’s laughing right along with her. She’s so good with her niece, so sweet and natural, and it’s like everything in the world makes sense when she smiles like that.
She’s it for me.
For years now, there’s been something between us—something bigger than friendship, something more than casual flirtation. We’ve always been more to each other, and I’m done pretending otherwise. I’m done sneaking around and keeping this thing between us a secret. I want her, and I want everyone to know she’s mine.
Avery hands Addy off to her mom and heads toward the house. I watch her go, my heart hammering in my chest. She disappears through the sliding glass door, and without thinking, I follow her.
She heads down the hallway, turning into the bathroom. And I only hesitate for a split second before making my move. Stepping quietly, I push the bathroom door open and slip inside, closing it softly behind me.
She startles, her eyes wide as she spins around to face me. “Henry! What the hell?”
I grin. “Couldn’t help myself.”
She rolls her eyes but can’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re insane.”
“It’s all your fault,” I say, stepping closer. “You make me this way.”
She shakes her head, laughing softly. “This isn’t very secret, you know.”
“Feels pretty secret to me,” I counter, leaning down so my face is inches from hers. “Everyone’s out there, and we’re in here.”
Her laughter dies in her throat as I press my lips to hers. It’s not hurried or heated, just soft and lingering, the kind of kiss that makes time stop. She melts into me, sliding her hands up my chest, and for a moment, nothing else exists.
I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. “I couldn’t go another minute without doing that.”
She smiles up at me, her cheeks flushed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” I admit, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But you like it.”
She doesn’t deny it, just rolls her eyes again in that way that makes me want to kiss her all over. But I hold back. For now. I have something else up my sleeve. Something way more important.
“Don’t make any plans tomorrow night.”
Her brow furrows. “Why?”
“Because I have plans. For us.”
“What kinds of plans?”
