The Escape Clause (3 page)

In high school it was prestige that came with her background and she let that carry her into bigger social circles.

People were impressed that her father was a doctor and she came from the Pierponts of Paris, France who had millions in oil fortune.

She wasn’t raised like that, but she’d needed the attention. She knew that now.

And through it all who was there? Pete.

Avery pushed back her hair and trembled under the water.

She told him she loved him.

She’d said the very words.

A twinge in her chest had her lifting her hands and pressing them there. She did love him. But she’d never anticipated what happened. This wasn’t what she thought would happen—the sex maybe—the love she wasn’t prepared for it.

The tap at the door, before it opened, had her gasping.

“Hey, I would have joined you,” Pete’s sleepy voice pierced her ears.

“I thought you could use the rest. I’m going to head down to the hospital. I’ll be just another moment.”

He was silent. That wasn’t what he was hoping for, and she knew that.

“I’ll make some coffee,” he said before the door closed.

Avery let out a breath.

The mistake she had to face wasn’t having sex with Pete. It wasn’t loving him either. It was knowing that in a few hours she had to tell her parents her plans to move to France. And it was knowing now that she’d faced those feelings for Pete she was going to have to let them go.

He didn’t deserve her—he deserved better.

It broke her heart to know that while she was away, he’d probably find that better woman and he’d be happy.

Pete had dressed and gone to the kitchen. He started the coffee and paced the kitchen. He’d make her some eggs. She liked eggs. Maybe she wanted to go out to breakfast. Perhaps they should just grab drive thru on the way to the hospital.

But he was nearly certain that when she came downstairs she’d mention that she was going to the hospital alone.

Pete scrubbed his hands over his unshaven cheeks.

What did he really think? Did he think she really loved him? He knew that tone she’d used when he walked into the bathroom. Regret resonated through her words and it stabbed him right in the heart he loved her with. 

He pulled a coffee mug from the cupboard and filled it. This was ridiculous. Since they were children they’d been inseparable. They’d fought. They’d made up—of course they’d never taken it as far as they did last night.

He certainly didn’t regret it. There would need to be conversation. They needed to discuss this new stage they were in.

One thing that didn’t change—he loved her.

The moment he heard her on the stairs he pulled down another mug and filled it. He’d made it perfectly clear last night wasn’t just for one night. They’d have to work through the doubt. Wasn’t that how relationships worked?

“Let’s try this morning thing again,” he said turning with both mugs in his hands. He handed her one. “Good morning, beautiful.”

Pete moved in and brushed a gentle kiss on her lips.

The good thing was she didn’t back away. Progress he decided.

“Good morning,” she replied with her voice and eyes low.

“I was thinking I’d make some breakfast, or we could go out.”

She nodded slightly as she sipped her coffee. “Maybe we can just grab something.”

Okay, well, she hadn’t said she was going alone. He figured that was two victories.

Pete set his mug on the table, moved in and took hers and did the same. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.

“Can I just tell you that any dream I had leading up to last night was squashed. Last night was better than any dream come true.”

She raised her hands to his face and rubbed. “I like this look on you.” Her eyes sparkled when she said it and now Pete was feeling stupid for second guessing what her tone in the shower had been.

“It’s no feat for me to be a slob. You just say the word.”

She smiled easily now and looked up into his eyes. “In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never been a slob.”

“First year of college.”

Avery laughed at that. “I take it back.”

Pete leaned in and kissed her gently and her lips went pliant and warm under his. Her hands remained on his cheeks and still that explosion of love filled his heart.

“C’mon,” he said pulling back. “Let’s go get some crappy drive thru and head to the hospital.” She nodded and let her hands slip from his face and into his hands. “My mom invited us for dinner. I assume with all the babies being born, your family won’t be having Sunday dinner tonight?”

She shook her head. “I think Darcy would frown on that today.”

He assumed she would. How she still hosted Sunday dinners through her pregnancy was beyond him, but Darcy had done it.

“Mom did comment that she misses you.”

Avery smiled as he led her to the door, her hand in his. “It’ll be nice to see them before I leave.”

Those words were like a knife to his back. His breath had even caught. He promised himself he wouldn’t pick a fight, he’d let the comment go.

It had only taken nearly twenty years to make the woman notice him as more than her best friend. He figured it wouldn’t take as long to convince her that she needed to stay in Nashville with him and not move to France.

Chapter Three

It was no surprise that almost everyone was at the hospital when Avery walked through the door.

Her mother hurried to her the moment she saw her and pulled her to her.

“Clara just went into labor.”

Avery stared at her mother. “Really? They’re all going to have their babies at nearly the same time?”

Her mother smiled. “It worked for Regan and me.” She laughed and wrapped her arm around Avery’s shoulders. “Where is Peter?”

Avery loved that her mother always used his full name. It was endearing.

“Parking the car. The close lot was full.”

Her mother nodded. “Church was in session,” she commented about the church just outside of the hospital. “Have you seen Darcy and Ed’s little girl yet?”

Avery shook her head. “Pete and I left early this morning.” And then ended up in bed together, but she didn’t say that aloud. She was sure her mother would know that the moment Pete walked through the door.

“We should go see her. She is beautiful.”

Avery let her mother lead her to Darcy’s room where Ed sat in a chair by the window, asleep with their other daughter Emily on his shoulder.

Darcy was sitting up in bed holding a little bundle in her arms.

Avery’s insides went to mush before she ever peered upon the baby. “Oh, Darcy,” she said looking down at her, “she’s beautiful.”

“Isn’t she? She looks just like her daddy.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think she looks like you.”

“Do you want to hold her?”

Of course she did, but she didn’t get to answer. Her mother took the baby from Darcy and turned to hand her to Avery.

She’d held lots of babies over the years, but holding this one, born only hours after her own birthday, seemed to tug at her heart a little more than others.

The door to the room opened and Avery watched as Pete moved in quietly. Before he even looked at the baby, he moved to Darcy’s side and kissed her on the cheek.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like a million bucks,” she said with a weary smile.

“You look like two million.”

Avery swallowed hard. He had a way with the charm and the words. She truly had meant it when she said she loved him.

Pete moved toward Avery. He put his arm around her and looked down at the little bundle she held in her arms.

“What’s her name?” he asked and Avery realized she’d never asked.

“Madeline Rae after her grandmothers.”

Avery looked up at her cousin. “That is very special.”

“They are very special,” Darcy added and Avery agreed with a nod.

She looked up at Pete. “Do you want to hold her?”

He only smiled. “You look so good holding her I think I’ll just watch you hold her. Besides, it looks like you’ll have another to hold soon.”

Darcy leaned forward from her seat in the bed. “Which one?”

“Tori. Madeline said her water finally broke.”

Avery felt the tears sting her throat. Little Madeline Rae and her cousin would share a birthday just as she and Spencer did. It was touching.

Pete gave her a gentle squeeze. Obviously, he knew that was sentimental to her.

He looked back at Darcy. “Is there anything I can get for you or Ed? Or little Emily?” he added.

“I think we’re doing fine. We’ve been surrounded by everyone, of course.”

“My sisters did everything they could to kick us all out of the hospital. I think they wished they’d have all given birth in other states like Kacey did.”

Avery thought about it. Kacey’s little boy was the only one of Pete’s nephews or nieces she hadn’t been at the hospital for. They truly had always been together. Why hadn’t she ever noticed how intertwined they were? She’d just always expected him to be there.

They’d cooed over little Madeline until she was ready to eat. Then they headed back to the waiting room. Avery wasn’t too surprised that someone had started a bet on who would have their baby first. The stubborn child of Christian or the anxious child of Clara.

Avery thought her Aunt Madeline radiated, but she had to have been exhausted. She was going to have three grandchildren all born on one day. It was so humorous when Avery thought about it she chuckled to herself.

“What’s so funny?” Pete gave her a nudge.

“All three of them having their babies on the same day.”

“Who wouldn’t want to hurry and be here with this family?”

His words were casual, but full of love. He’d always been part of the family. Never had he been awkward when she took him to events or dinners. He just blended in, just as he did now at the hospital surrounded by her family.

Pete let out a long breath. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to go downstairs and get a real cup of coffee. Would you like one?”

She nodded and watched as Pete stood and took orders from anyone who also needed a little shot of caffeine. A few minutes later he was off, with her uncle John in tow.

Her mother slid into the seat Pete had occupied and her aunt Arianna was on the other side. Both women wore eager grins.

“When did this happen?” Her mother asked.

“When did what happen?”

Her mother and aunt exchanged looks as her aunt nudged her. “You and Pete.”

“We had almost given up,” her mother added.

Avery looked at them. “And you think you know what you’re talking about?”

“You are denying it?” her mother asked.

Avery let her shoulders drop. She knew this would happen. Nothing had been different between them. They acted the same as they always did. But there was no lying her way out of this. They’d know and they’d pry until they got the answer they wanted.

“I’m not denying it.”

She would have thought it was the announcement of the century the way they both moved in and hugged her in one big group hug.

“I thought you’d blow it,” her Aunt Arianna said. “I was afraid he’d meet someone else.”

It was all in good humor, but the words hurt. What would she do now if Pete moved on? Yet she planned on moving on. Nothing was going to stop her from going to France. It was what she wanted.

Perhaps he’d just have to go with her.

Pete and John put the cups of coffee into the carrying tray. Everyone was dragging. Those who had gone home had only gotten a few hours of sleep. Those who didn’t were working their second day with no sleep.

“How’s the job?” John asked Pete as they walked out of the cafeteria.

“It’s going well. I’m really building some good portfolios for some clients.”

“Sounds good. I know that stock you set up for us is doing well.”

Pete laughed. “It should.” He pushed the button on the elevator. “I haven’t mentioned it to anyone, but I’m up for a promotion.”

“And you’re mentioning it to me?”

“You’re a client. You appreciate my skill.”

“That I do,” John agreed and stepped into the elevator with Pete as the doors opened. “I guess I’m not the only person that sees your potential then?”

Pete shrugged. “I’m not too optimistic about it. There are some very seasoned professionals that are up for the same promotion.”

“Don’t discredit yourself. Perhaps your youth will be a benefit for them.”

Pete would have liked to think so.

John looked up at the display that counted the floors. “It’ll be a good place for you to be in when you and Avery get married.”

Pete choked on the air he was breathing when John said that.

“Avery and I are getting married?”

“Aren’t you? I mean it’s only taken you your entire life to get her.”

“Get her? What do you mean
get 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.