Page 115 of Along Came Amor
“Ava knows that you know.”
“Coño. How did she react?”
“Let’s just say she’s not thrilled about it.”
Ashton grunted. “I bet.”
“She doesn’t want anyone else to know about us until after your wedding.”
“Of course she doesn’t.” Ashton leaned forward, his expression serious. “Let me explain something. It was athingwhen Jasmine moved to Los Angeles. It was athingwhen Michelle quit her job. But it was the biggestthingof all when Ava got divorced from that pendejo. Now, I’ve heard about all this secondhand, but you need to understand where she’s coming from.”
Roman mulled that over. “She told me about her family’s reaction to the divorce.”
“Then you know why she wouldn’t want to introduce anyone to them again. And now that they already know you...”
“I mean, I get it, but...”
But he wanted to tell everyone. He wanted to buy a fucking billboard in Times Square.
“Mira. Jasmine moved across the country to escape. Michelle, she’s like a cactus or... ¿Cómo se dicepuercoespínen ingles?”
“Porcupine,” came Yadiel’s voice from behind them.
They both turned to see the boy rounding the sofa.
Ashton sighed. “What have I told you about eavesdropping?” To Roman, he added in an undertone, “It’s been a problem lately.”
“I heard that.” Yadiel grabbed a handful of cashews from the tray in front of them. “And I wasn’t. I justoverheard.”
“A technicality,” Ashton muttered. “¿Qué pasó?”
“Nothing, I’m just hungry.”
“Don’t you and Mikayla have a ton of snacks?” Ashton asked.
Yadiel shrugged. “I don’t want those snacks.”
“Help yourself to anything in the kitchen,” Roman told him.
Yadiel’s dark eyes lit up. “Anything?”
“Sure,” Roman said, missing Ashton’s look of alarm until it was too late.
Yadiel whooped and raced toward the kitchen, clearly excited by the thought of unfettered access to Roman’s pantry and fridge.
“No alcohol and no caffeine!” Ashton called after him. When Roman sent him a quizzical stare, the other man shrugged. “We’re in a boundary-pushing phase.”
Roman made a noncommittal hum and sipped his drink. There was that word that Ava liked so much:boundaries. Maybe Roman was in a boundary-pushing phase too, because he didn’t want any barriers between them.
Their time in Puerto Rico had been perfect. Okay, maybe not the first day, but afterward. He didn’t see why they couldn’t have that at home.
And yet, he could already feel her putting distance between them. It had started during the flight back, and while she was responsive when he called and texted, he hadn’t seen her as often as he’d wanted. Granted, he’d been extra busy makingup for the time he’d been away, but he couldn’t help wishing she were here waiting for him when he dragged himself home in the evenings.
She was finally coming over tonight to meet his mother and sister, after weeks of making excuses.
“Anyway,” Ashton said. “My point was, Ava’s family is very important to her. She always puts them first, even over herself.”
Which meant she wouldn’t put Roman over her family. “Got it.”
