Page 67 of Delayed Penalty

The woman who stole my heart six years ago, my best friend, and the love of my life.

Holy fuck.

I’m still in love with Avery.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Avery

“Have you guys been getting things ready? How far along are you?”

“I’m about twenty weeks along. We haven’t done anything yet, but I’m sure we will once we know if it's a boy or a girl,” I tell her as I help Lyla and Emmie clear the table, ignoring them telling me to go sit down and let them clean.

Not a chance. I’m pregnant, not broken.

“When do you go back to the doctors?”

“The day after tomorrow. We have the full anatomy scan and then hopefully find out why I’m still nauseous every day.”

“My guess is you’re constantly sick because it’s a boy. I’m not saying there is science behind my reasoning, but I was perfectly fine when I had the girls. When I was pregnant with Harris, I was sick every single day until I delivered him. It was hell, but thankfully he was the best baby.”

“Who knows, but I definitely wouldn’t mind a baby boy. I’ll be thrilled regardless if it’s a boy or girl, but I’d love to watch Harris with a little boy.”

“It’s so wonderful to watch, and as his mom I would love to watch that as well. Especially hoping he gives his dad a run for his money as much as Harris gave his own dad.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mom,” Harris says as he throws his arm over her shoulder. “I was perfect, a damn angel and you won’t convince me otherwise.”

“Whatever you say, son. You were an angel baby but as a young kid and a teen, you were the sole reason I had grey hairs by the time I was thirty-five. “

“Facts. But you’ve done good for yourself, son, I’m proud of you both,” his dad says, smiling as he looks at Harris. There’s so much love in both his mom and dad’s eyes, and I’m a little jealous. I wish this was the response I had gotten when I told my family, not just that they don’t care and have no interest in being involved.

I’m sure they would have if it was Peter’s, but if it was Peter’s I wouldn’t be nearly as excited.

“We are actually going to be bouncing back and forth between the city and Ivy Falls these next few weeks. We are getting ready to start remodeling the house and have to meet with the designers every couple of weeks. Please keep us up to date on how everything is going. Okay?”

“Promise. As soon as we know what we are having I’ll make sure to call you.”

“Okay. We love you. Both of you,” his mom says before giving us each the best hug of my life.

A mom hug, and I melt.

After the rest of our goodbyes and promises to get together soon, his family heads out, leaving Harris and I alone.

“Can I show you something?” Harris asks quietly once we have settled back in.

“Of course,” I say. “What is it?”

“Come on,” he says with a smile before walking down the hall with our rooms in it.

Even though we spent the night together the other day, I’ve spent the rest of the nights in my own bedroom because I’m notsure what I’m supposed to be doing. Does he want me to stay with him? Does he want me to kiss him? Hold his hand?

Or does he want me to stay in my bedroom, read my spicy books, and take care of my needs on my own.

I don’t know and I hate it.

“Where are we going?” I ask when he passes my bedroom and moves to the door in between our two rooms.

“Go on in,” he says with a smile, his hand gesturing out for me to lead the way into the room.

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