Page 116 of Along Came Amor
Ashton’s expression was still troubled. “I’m just saying, if she won’t even tell las primas poderosas...”
“Then she’s never going to tell the rest of them,” Roman finished.
“I don’t like being in the middle of this,” Ashton went on. “You’re the closest thing I have to a brother, and Ava has become like a sister to me. And you both have mekeeping secrets frommy wife.”
“You kept that kid in my kitchen a secret from everyone—including me, I might add—for years. This should be easy for you.”
“It’s not the same.” Ashton sent him a dark look. “And it’s not a matter ofifJasmine finds out, it’s when. Andwhenshe finds out that I knew about you two, estoy jodido.”
They would all be fucked if Jasmine found out. Roman had known her long enough to understand that, at least.
“I just don’t get why Ava won’t tell her cousins. Her parents and everyone else, sure. But why not Jasmine and Michelle? They seem supportive.”
Ashton shrugged. “The three of them are weird about relationships. When Jasmine and I got together, Jasmine didn’ttell Ava. And when Michelle started seeing Gabe, she didn’t tell Jasmine. I don’t try to understand it.”
“Ava seems to believe that her family will mess things up with us if they know.”
“Maybe. They’re very...” Ashton frowned as he searched for the word. “Involved. And they treat Ava like she’s Cenicienta.”
Roman searched his brain for the English translation. “Cinderella?”
“Sí, ella.” He gestured with his glass. “She’s always in the kitchen at parties. She gets there early to help and leaves late because she stays to clean up. I was going to tell Jasmine not to let Ava go to Puerto Rico for us, but then you jumped in and I didn’t want to cockblock you, even though I have a sneaking suspicion you’re going to ruin my wedding.”
“I agree that Ava’s taking the maid of honor role too seriously. And I’m not going to ruin your wedding.”
“So you say.” Ashton’s tone clearly conveyed his skepticism. “But if you or Ava don’t tell Jasmine what’s going on with you two, I’m telling her. You have until the wedding ceremony. I’m not going to speak my vows knowing I’m hiding something from my wife.”
“That’s fair,” Roman grunted. It was at odds with the promise he’d made Ava about waiting until after the wedding, but Ashton had a point, and Roman was anxious for Ava to stop treating their relationship like a dirty little secret.
Ashton gave Roman’s knee a swat then rose to his feet. “Vámanos. We need to make sure my son isn’t lying on your kitchen floor in a sugar coma.”
Roman set down his glass and followed Ashton to the kitchen, reviewing everything his friend had told him.
Ava’s fears weren’t unfounded, and the likelihood of her deciding to tell her family about their relationship was slim. So what did that mean for their future together? Did they even have one? She couldn’t keep him a secret forever, could she?
He was afraid the answer was yes.
Chapter 36
Was it normal to hope your boyfriend’s familydidn’tlike you? Because that was Ava’s mindset on her way to meet Roman’s mother and sister.
She’d put it off as long as she could, and had gone so far as letting Roman come to her apartment in order to avoid going to his. They’d spent an amazing weekend together, ensconced in their own little slice of paradise, but it was unexpectedly shattered when Ava got a text from Willow that she and Olympia were driving through Ava’s neighborhood and would be stopping by momentarily. Ava had leapt out of bed and hustled Roman out the door. She’d barely finished putting the apartment to rights by the time they showed up. Roman hadn’t been thrilled about being kicked out, and in the chaos he’d extracted a promise: Ava would have dinner with his family before the week was out.
And here she was. The car Roman had sent dropped her off at his building, and the doorman sent her right up in the elevator, since Roman had already given her the code.
The elevator doors opened, but instead of Roman standing there waiting for her, it was Ashton.
Ava’s blood turned to ice at the sight of him. Ashton clearlywasn’t expecting her either, since his eyes widened and he backed up a step. He recovered first and moved forward to greet her.
“Ava. ¿Cómo estás?” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, and Ava did the same.
“Hi Ashton. Welcome back.” Her heart pounded in her throat.Ashton knew. And if he hadn’t before, he certainly did now, because why else would Ava be showing up at Roman’s home with an overnight bag?
Roman strode toward them with a big smile on his face. “You’re early,” he said, sounding delighted.
Of all the days not to run into traffic. Ava gave a little shrug. “So I am.”
Ashton held up a phone with a cracked screen and a navy-blue Yankees case. “Yadi left his phone so I came back up to get it.”
