Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“I am. I’ve never been this happy, and I’d love it if you were happy for me—for us, too, but if you’re not, I’ll deal. Because I’ve never felt as free as I did after telling Megan. That’s worth it. I’m worth it.” Forget free, I felt light, light as a clear balloon, the kind you could see the sun through, and I felt ready to drift away on the high of finally, finally standing up for myself. And not only to my mom—to me too. I’d defeated all the years of negative self-talk to reach a place where I honestly believed myself. I was worth it.
“Avery.” Mom made my name take eight syllables, a clear what-am-I-going-to-do-with-you tone, but before she could continue, one of the catering staff, an older woman in a white blouse, came over to us.
“Mrs. Haskins, the photographer had a question.”
“Of course.” She gave me an apologetic look as she flitted away, but the speed with which she moved gave away her relief at the interruption.
For my part, I went back to Malik, plodding along in a daze until I sank down next to him and remembered the whole reason I’d left in the first place.
“Oh crap. I forgot the desserts.”
“It’s okay.” Malik squeezed my hand under the table. His sympathetic eyes drifted to where my mother was talking with the official engagement photographer. Yeah, he didn’t miss much. “You ready to go?”
“Beyond ready.” I stood without waiting for his reply and fetched his cane. “Let’s go find Megan and Jaden and say goodbye.”
We said our goodbyes to the happy couple, waved at Tiffany, who was deep in conversation with a group of younger women, and made our way to the front foyer, only to be stopped by my mother.
“Avery? You’re leaving?”
“Yep. Didn’t feel much like dessert.” I gave her a pointed look, and she had the grace to blush.
“All right. I…understand.” She stood straighter, posture perfect as ever, and I waited for her to dismiss us, but instead, she opened her mouth. Closed it. Swallowed hard. “Easter is coming up.”
“It is.” Easter was a late one this year, well into April, and I didn’t doubt she already had plans, but I was fresh out of interest in command family appearances.
“You’ll come?” She pressed, stepping closer to gesture between Malik and me. “Both of you?”
Well, now, that was unexpected. I dug my heel into the Italian tile floor, studying the fancy pattern rather than letting her see how much I’d needed to hear that both.
“Wouldn’t be a holiday without you eating all the rolls.” Dad came down the stairs to slap me on the back. Too hard, as usual, but I covered the wince right along with my other emotions.
“Oh, Aaron.” Mom rolled her eyes at him. “But do come. I’ll make sure there’s an alternative to ham.”
“Yeah, come and bring your man, little bro.” Brian wandered out of the living room. “Maybe the Easter Bunny will forgive you for the year you ate all the red jellybeans from my and Megan’s baskets.”
“Brian.” I groaned in the way only he could inspire. “One time. And I was like three.”
“Whatever.” He waved a hand. “I’ll tell Carol to bring you and Malik some chocolate bunnies. Megan and Jaden are coming. You come too.”
Brian and Dad’s support, such as it was, was unexpected. I glanced over at Malik. If he didn’t want to come, I wasn’t going to make him, but he gave a nod.
“Okay,” I said to Mom before turning to Brian. “But it better be quality chocolate.”
“No hollow bunnies. Got it.” He laughed like he was a comedian with his own special, but he also got points for steering us that much closer to the door.
“Take care.”
“I will,” I promised, and for the first time, I actually meant it. I’d take care of me, all of me, even the parts they were still working on understanding, and I’d take care of Malik. And maybe my family would continue to be something of a mixed bag, but I’d deal, and I’d take care of myself anyway.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Malik
“Well, I survived,” Avery said as he sank into the driver’s seat.
“You did amazing.” I pulled him close for a tight hug before he could start the car. He’d done so much more than survive. He’d impressed the hell out of me with how he’d handled the evening, including the harder parts like that contentious conversation with his mother I’d had to watch from a distance. But Avery had kept his composure all evening, managing to leave on a hopeful note and making my chest so full I could hardly stand it. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud enough for my reward to be road head?” He bit my shoulder lightly before releasing me.
“I’d like to get to my apartment in one piece, thank you very much.” I made a show of buckling myself up and motioning for him to do the same. “Safety first.”