The Last Encore (It's Always Been You Book 1)

by Elodie Colliard

To the women who feel like giving up: everything is temporary. No matter how bad things are right now, it shall pass. And tomorrow is another day to get back up and fight, just like we’ve always done.

Her anxiety had always been a part of her, something she’d learned to live with, side by side. It was almost like a scar—it might fade with time and care, but it would always be there.

Loving yourself was a journey, one that had its ups and downs. Every day was a struggle when you were constantly reminded that your body didn’t fit society’s standards.

So what if my belly isn’t toned? Or my thighs are full of stretch marks? “They are the map of your body’s history,” her grandma used to say. “Be kind to yourself.”

I would like to dedicate it to someone who always felt like home during my darkest and loneliest moments. Someone who reminded me of where I come from, no matter where I was, like an anchor to who I am deep inside. I don’t know where in the world she is now, but Avery, this one’s for you.”

I feel now that I’m exactly where I should be.”

I’ve been dying to kiss you all night and bring you back to my place and kiss you some more.”

"Next time, I hope,"

She missed him. She missed him looking at her like that, making her feel safe and loved. She missed him feeling like home.

Josh brought her fingers he was holding to his lips and planted the lightest of kisses. How much strength does this man think I have?

This man had no filter. She was pretty sure it wasn’t even a word in his vocabulary.

Relatable 😅😂

When he was in Europe, there wasn’t a single time when we talked where he didn’t ask me about you.

You could wear ripped jeans and an oversized t-shirt and still be the most beautiful woman in the room.

There, in his arms, Avery could finally relax slowly and breathe a little easier. Her own personal haven.

“It's been the easiest choice I’ve made in a long time, and one that’s been on my mind for fucking forever. Long before I even left.”

“I’m fluent in Avery Clark.”

“You must be exhausted, baby.” Baby. The term of endearment made her heart skip a beat.

“Cocky is not a good look on you, Josh.” He grazed his feet against hers under the table. “You sure about that?”

You may not want to be in a relationship with me Avie, but don’t act like what we have going on between us is nothing more than fun. Because to me, it’s real.”

honestly, I don’t want to share. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever. I don’t want another guy’s hands on you.”

His constant need to make her feel comfortable was pulling at the strings of her heart. If he kept this up, she was going to propose in about two minutes.

“Ten years I’ve been wanting to know what you taste like.”

“Don’t apologize, please. It’s me, it’s … what’s happening right now … this is big. I don’t want to mess it up.”

“There is nothing god can do for you here; this is all me. All me, Avie.”

He gave her his most devastating smile. The one that made her want to climb mountains and run marathons. And she was not into sports at all.

I am in complete awe of you. I love you. I love you so much and it was unavoidable because the truth is that I fell in love with you years ago, but I only have the courage to tell you now. Now that I'm holding you in my arms, I'm never letting you go, because I know I cannot go ten years again without you by my side.”

How could she be anything but in love with him? He was her best friend, her confidant, the one who knew every single part of her, and now, he was adding champion and supporter to the list. Frankly, it was a scandal she’d taken this long to realize it.

“We're not over, baby. We can never be. As long as I’m breathing, my heart is yours. It always has been.”

“I love you. I love you like I’ve never loved anybody,

“First of all, can I touch you, because this,” he said, gesturing to the empty space between them, “is killing me right now.”

“I won’t regret passing on Los Angeles, but I know I will forever regret not giving everything I have to get the woman I love back. You’re it for me, Avie. So, I’m asking. No. I’m begging. Will you please, please, have me back?”

Josh still couldn’t believe his luck that, despite his royal fuck up years ago, he managed to get the girl. His girl.