The Escape Clause by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online Page B

told me you wished I hadn’t gotten my promotion because you’re moving to France.”
    Avery moved toward him, but Pete took a step back. Heat from the anger pulsing through her warmed her skin. “I want this, Pete. I want this as much as I want to marry you.”
    He shook his head. “I didn’t think you were as shallow as you’ve proven to me that you are.”
    “Exactly what does that mean?”
    “You want to move away as much as you want to marry me. Honey, when you love someone you’re usually willing to make sacrifices.”
    She crossed her arms. “What about you? You don’t love me enough to make sacrifices for me?”
    “Is that what you think?”
    “You chose your job.”
    He stepped closer to her and narrowed his dark, angry eyes at her. “I quit my job yesterday.”
     
    And that, Pete thought, was the reaction he’d hoped for. Avery’s eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She, for the first time in as long as he could remember, was speechless.
    “You quit your job for me?”
    “For us,” he corrected.
    “But your promotion…”
    Pete shrugged. “I love you more.”
    She lifted her hands to her mouth and the sobs came quickly. He wanted to scoop her up, but there was still some invisible wall between them.
    “You quit your job to move to France with me? To marry me?”
    Now he stepped in, though the air was still thick between them. He gathered her hands in his. “Avery, for as long as I can remember, you’re all I’ve ever wanted. I was willing to forgo the thought that someday that might happen. I cherished our friendship more. But you said you loved me and you said you’d marry me. So, yes. I quit my job, passed up my promotion, and am willing to leave my family behind to follow you.”
    She let out a long ragged breath. “That’s a lot of responsibility.”
    “You’re willing to leave your family for this. That means it’s very important to you. It means you think this is what you need to do. The Avery Keller I know doesn’t take lightly the commitment of family.”
    A line formed between her brows. “Right.”
    “I need to go home and pack and get things settled in my world.”
    “I’ll come with you,” she offered and he shook his head.
    “I need some time to process this.”
    Avery stepped back from him. “My parents want me over for dinner on Sunday. I assume it won’t just be my parents.”
    “Usually, with your family, that’s how it works.”
    “Will you come? We can share our news.”
    Pete nodded. “I’ll be there.”
    He moved in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll come by in the morning.”
    He took his keys from his pocket and headed toward the door.
    “Pete,” she called after him and he turned to look at her. “I love you.”
    He smiled, but it felt forced. He gave her a nod and walked out. At that very moment he needed to save his I love you too until he didn’t feel jaded about it.
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Pete sat in his bedroom with his suitcase open to the side of him. It was empty. He was empty.
    He lowered his head into his hands. Avery Keller was going to be his wife. The thought lightened the pain going through him. She said she loved him and she was going to marry him—Avery.
    He’d never told her that once he’d even written their names together and named all their children. It had been a childish dream back then, but now it was real.
    What the hell did it matter that he’d given up his apartment and his job? Those weren’t his identity. But being Avery’s husband would be.
    The pain in his chest seemed to ease.
    He stood and walked to the dresser. Pulling out the contents, he placed them in the suitcase. There was an ease to the packing now.
    Next week he was going to be living in France on a vineyard.
    A smile actually came to his lips. He could even see Avery, her dark French beauty with the beautiful vineyard backdrop.
    He didn’t speak French. Was that going to be a problem?
    It was something to consider. He needed