Page 59 of Be Your Forever
Ipulluptherideshare app and put my location in. Since I started taking baby steps toward driving again, stepping into a car doesn’t make me all that nervous anymore. I’m at the restaurant within twenty minutes, and because it’s not busy, I’m seated almost immediately. Five minutes later, Avery walks in, her skin radiant with her pregnancy glow.
I pull her into my arms, squeezing her with just enough force so I don’t harm the baby. The moment we pull away, I bend down and talk to my future niece or nephew.
“Hello, little one. It’s your auntie Bri. I love you so much.”
Avery’s eyes glisten with tears as she cradles her belly, a soft smile playing across her delicate features.
“How are we feeling?” I ask her.
“I’m good right now. I sometimes have nausea so bad I can barely leave my bed without the urge to vomit. But other than that, things are going okay. Doctor says the baby is doing well, and I’m antsy to know what we’re having. How are you?”
“I’m good. Better than good, actually. I told Asher I loved him.”
“Shut up! Oh my God, how do you feel?”
“I, well, it felt right. We just had sex—”
The sound of a throat clearing has our attention turning to the waitress standing by our table, notepad in hand.
“Um, what can I get y’all to drink?” She rushes the words out so fast that it takes us a moment to process what she says.
“Um, I’ll have an unsweet tea with lemon,” I respond, unable to meet her eyes.
“I’ll have water, thank you.” Avery beams up at her like we didn’t just traumatize the poor woman.
She mutters agot itbefore speeding away from our table. Avery and I look at each other for all of two seconds before we burst out laughing.
“That poor woman. She looked mortified. Oh my God. I’ll have to avoid this place now.” My hands cover my eyes as laughter continues to shake my entire body.
“Eh, she’ll be fine. But anyways, back to you. So…You told him you loved him. That’s great, Bee. I’m so happy for you.”
I pull my head from my hands, and I feel a smile stretch across my face. “Thanks. He said it back to me, too. I just, I’m still wrapping my head around it.”
Avery’s response is to roll her eyes. “Well, duh. That man has been in love with you for, like, ever. How do you feel?”
“I feel amazing. I like having him alongside me. He’s just everything.”
“That’s great, Bri.”
We’re interrupted by our waitress dropping off our drinks with complimentary bread and butter before asking what we want to eat. I order the deluxe cowboy burger and Avery orders pretty much the entire menu. God, I’ve missed my girl. Avery and I sit in silence as we sip our drinks and eat our bread. I’m the first one to break the silence.
“So, I talked to Asher about the favor you asked of him.”
“Oh?”
“Yup, he—”
“Ope, hold that thought. I gotta pee.” Avery leaps out of her chair and shuffles off to the bathroom. Today’s service is quicker than normal because our food comes before she gets back. My mouth waters as I look at the Cajun fries and burger. My stomach grumbles, and just as I’m about to take a bite, my phone pings with a notification. I’m as giddy as a teenager at the thought of a text from Asher.
Max: So, I just spoke to our parents, and they said they saw you. I don’t understand why you haven’t come by to see me? No one is telling me anything. And even if they did, it would hurt more because it didn’t come from you.
You are the worst. So selfish. Your brother hates you. Your family probably hates you, too. Everything they said was a lie.
My body feels as if I’ve been locked in a walk-in freezer, and my appetite is suddenly gone.
I jump up from my seat so fast the table moves. I don’t care to apologize for causing a disturbance, and I bolt out the door. My lungs scream at me as I run out the door and far enough away from the restaurant to call for an Uber. I don’t need Avery to try and convince me to stay.
My car arrives and I’m sure I look absolutely insane, but I can’t seem to care.
