Page 76 of Leave Before I Love You

“We sure will. And may God help your poor vagina.”

“Avery!” June chastises through a laugh.

“What?” I grin at her. “I think it’s sweet that I’m praying for your hoo-hah. That’s best friend shit, Juni.”

“You know what else a best friend would do?”

“Don’t even try to ask me to rub olive oil on your taint. That’s a step too far, June.”

“Olive oil? What? No, you psycho.” She practically chokes onher own saliva. “I was going to say watch Addy for an entire night so Beau and I can get some sleep.”

“She’s still not sleeping through the night?”

“Oh, she’s sleeping, all right,” June answers with a sigh. “But she’s sleeping in our bed with her feet in Beau’s chest and her arms punching me in the face.”

“That girl.” I laugh. “And yes to your request. I’ll keep Addy for the night soon.”

June’s eyes light up. “Yeah?”

“Of course.” I nod.

June’s expression collapses into a weep of gratitude, and she tucks her face into her hands. I reach for her wrist in comfort, but when my phone buzzes again in my hand, I also use the opportunity to discreetly glance at the screen.

Henry: It wasn’t a booty call, but now it’s starting to feel like your subtle way of saying you’d like me to have your pussy for my meal…

Truthfully, I wasn’t being subtle. I’m always greedy for Henry these days, and getting my pussy licked for lunch seems like a grand plan.

Unfortunately, there’s no time or room to reply because June is starting to get it together, and, evidently smelling her tears in the air, my brother has now arrived.

“What’s going on over here?” he asks, throwing an arm around June’s shoulders.

And, because this is my life, Neil is right behind him.Perfect.

“Avery says she’s up for watching Addy all night for us,” June announces with glee, making Beau’s mouth curve up and my dad’s eyebrows pull together.

“You sure you’re up for a whole night, Avery?” my dad asks, tilting his head like he’s inspecting me for clues of a drug addiction or impairment.

“Good grief, it’s like a family reunion and interrogation allrolled into one,” I say, grabbing my purse and standing up. “And I’d love to stay for it, truly, but I gotta run.”

“Where are you going?” Dad asks, narrowing his eyes.

“I have plans,” I say, slinging the strap of my bag over my shoulder.

“In the middle of the workday?”

I give him a pointed look. “Daddy, do you really want to be that kind of overbearing boss to his employees? That’s so Boomer.” Before he can argue, I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Love you, Daddy. I’ll do work stuff again tomorrow.”

Then I turn to June, rubbing her belly affectionately. “Bye, my future little nephew…or niece.” I wink at June. “Auntie Avery loves you so much, even though you keep making your mama puke all the time.”

June rolls her eyes but smiles, and I glance at Beau. “Later, loser.”

Their laughter follows me as I make my way toward the elevator. Just as the doors begin to close, Dad calls out, “Wait. Tomorrow? Are you coming back to work today?”

I flash a cheeky smile. “Not sure if I’ll have time. Love you!”

The doors shut, and I pull out my phone, an idea forming in my head. I quickly type out a message to Henry:

Me: If you want to see me, you can find me here.