Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
June’s eyes go wide. “Excuse me?”
“I was a virgin,” I repeat, more firmly this time. “Before the island. Before Henry. I know you probably thought I was banging all those dudes, but I was a virgin until the island.”
June sits back on her heels, her jaw practically on the floor. “Wait. You mean…”
“I had sex with Henry,” I say, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I seduced him. And ever since we got back, we’ve been secretly fucking all over the city.”
I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction to the news I’ve dropped so far. Clearly, I haven’t dropped all the bombs, saving the most earth-shattering for last, but I honestly don’t know how my best friend is going to react to me keeping shit from her.
June’s eyes somehow get even wider. Her lips part, but no words come out. Then, finally, she grins. “Oh my God.”
I blink. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because!” she says, laughing now. “I had a feeling something was going on between you two. Honestly, I’ve been wondering for a while. Even before the island.”
“What? Why?”
She shrugs. “Because you guys have always had a little…something-something. Some kind of undeniable chemistry.”
“Oh, we have undeniable chemistry, all right,” I mutter. “It’s literally growing inside me right now.”
June freezes, her gaze dropping to where my hand is resting on my belly. “You’re pregnant?” she whispers, her voice full of awe.
“Yes, I’m pregnant,” I snap. “With Henry’s baby. And he doesn’t know. But that shouldn’t be a surprise, because he doesn’t know I’m in love with him either.”
“Oh my God, Avery!” June exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug. “You’re pregnant!”
“Yes, June,” I say, exasperated. “I’m pregnant. This is going to change my life forever. I don’t know how to be a teen mom!”
“Teen mom?” June repeats, laughing. “Avery, you’re twenty-seven. Like me.”
“Don’t make this about you!” I wail.
“You’re pregnant,” June whispers again, tears in her eyes. “Avery, there’s a little baby growing inside your belly.” She hugs me again. “And you and I, we’re pregnant together. Our babies are going to be the same age.” She leans back, brushing my hair out of my face. “I know this is a lot to process, Avery, but this is a good thing. This is a great thing. This is the best thing, actually.”
“The best thing?” I repeat, incredulous. “June, I didn’t get Louboutins for half off. I’m pregnant. With child.”
“Yeah,” June says, smiling even bigger. “You are.”
I search her face, and she hugs me again. “It’s going to be okay, Avery. I promise. I think you just need to talk to Henry.”
Oh, Henry. Just the thought of telling him makes my stomach churn all over again.
“I don’t know, June.”
“I do,” she says firmly. “Henry is a good guy. And sure, I don’t know everything that’s gone down between you two—clearly, because you were keeping sneaky secrets from your best friend.” She eyes me knowingly. “But I know the way he looks at you. I know the way he’s looked at you for years.”
“And how does he look at me, June?”
“Like his whole heart is in his eyes.”
God, I hope she’s right.
“Just tell him, Ave. Just go to him and tell him.”
“I…” I pause, trying to find the words. “I think I need a moment, you know? I need to wrap my mind around all of this.”
“I know you’re scared, but now isn’t the time to run. Now is the time to face everything head on.”
I nod, but deep down, I’m not so sure. I feel a lot like running—straight back to my condo and burrowing under my comforter for the next nine months. Surely my baby and I can survive on DoorDash takeout. Hell, maybe Dr. Moretti can make house calls for all my OB appointments.
“You’re strong, Avery,” June says, holding both of my hands. “One of the strongest people I know. You’ve got this. And you know that I’m here for you. I’m always here for you.”
Right now, I don’t feel very strong at all. But with the way June is looking at me, the love and care that sit in her eyes, all I can do is hug her tightly.
“Thanks, Juni,” I whisper into her ear. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Even though you were keeping all these secrets from me.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“It’s okay.”
I think about how amazing June is. How amazing she’s always been. She never judges and she doesn’t hold a grudge, and she hasn’t even brought up the fact that I wasn’t quite so demure when she was keeping secrets from me. She’s the best best friend anyone could ever have.
“So…” June pauses. “How are you going to tell Beau?”
“How am I going to tell, Beau?” I scoff. “He’s your husband. Pretty sure that’s your job, babe.”
“Avery.”
“What?” I say, feigning innocence. “He got signed over to you when you said ‘I do.’”