The Escape Clause Read Online Free Page B

her ?”
    The door opened and the men stepped out of the elevator and stopped.
    “What ever happened last night, it’s written all over your faces. No one is judging. We’ve told her for years you love her. There’s never been a doubt she loved you too.”
    Pete wondered how stupid he looked just standing there staring at John. They all knew? They all knew what they’d done?
    He’d never been embarrassed about being around her family, but now since there seemed to be a neon sign on his forehead, he was a little leery about joining in conversation.
    John chuckled and gave him a solid pat on the back. “Don’t go panicking. You’re a part of this family as much as I am. We both had an advantage. We were accepted before we fell in love with the women. It makes for an easier transition.”
    Pete was sure of that, but how was he supposed to look Simone and Curtis in the eye?
    John walked ahead and Pete followed. John passed out the cups of coffee on his tray and Pete tried to keep his composure as he passed out the cups on his tray.
    He was only a moment from thinking up an excuse as to why he needed to leave when Madeline appeared in the waiting room smiling a bright smile on a very tired face.
    “Clara had a boy! A boy!”
    Her husband Carlos moved to her immediately and swung her in a hug. “This is the craziest day ever,” he laughed.
    Pete’s eyes immediately moved to Avery who sat next to her mother wiping happy tears from their eyes.
    A set of cousins born on the same day. It was history repeating itself twenty-six years, and one day later.
    When she caught his gaze she smiled and at that moment Pete’s heart absolutely melted.
    There was something in the way she looked at him that told him she’d heard his plea that last night wasn’t the only night. Deep inside she knew how much he did love her and he knew that the words she’d spoken were always meant for him as well.
    Avery Keller wasn’t going to move to France. How could she? Not when they were finally truthful about the love they shared—had always shared.
    His mind flashed to her cousins all having babies on the same day and he knew what he wanted.
    He was going to marry Avery Keller.
    Why wait to ask? It wasn’t new, this life they were sharing. They’d been sharing it all along.
    His thoughts were interrupted when Christian walked to the waiting room scrubbing his hands over his face.
    Immediately his parents went to him. “She’s here, but they took her to the NICU.”
    Madeline reached her hands to his unshaven face. “She’s here.”
    Christian’s weary eyes brightened and he smiled. “She’s here.”
    His parents pulled him in to their arms. Pete noticed both Avery and Simone wiping their eyes. Their family had grown today by three.
    This wasn’t the day to bring up marriage.
    He gave it another quick thought. Spencer and Julie hadn’t said anything about their assumed engagement.
    Pete could wait. For now he’d make her so deliriously happy and in love that she’d never think of leaving Nashville.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    In all the years Pete had been spending the night on Avery’s couch or in her spare bedroom, this was the first time she’d ever slept at his place.
    The best part about it was she wasn’t sleeping on the couch. She was wrapped, skin pressed to skin, with him in his sheets.
    He wondered how married couples ever tired of each other. Who wouldn’t want to wrap himself around the woman he loved every single night of his life?
    Certainly, this was exactly where he always wanted to be.
    Avery pressed herself against him and he pulled her in closer. “You do know this is the first night you’ve ever slept here,” he said kissing the top of her head softly.
    “That’s hard to believe.” She let out a sigh. “I guess you were always the gentleman and took me home to tuck me into my own bed.”
    “It’s always nicer to wake in your own bed.”
    Avery rolled in his arms until she was face to face with him.