Page 117 of Along Came Amor
“Ah.” Ava gave a little nod. “Can’t forget that.”
Ashton sighed. “He’s obsessed with playing games on it. I’m worried about his thumbs.”
“We should all be worried about our thumbs.” Roman gave Ashton a one-armed hug and patted his back. “See you.”
“Ciao.”
Ava stepped out of the elevator so Ashton could take her place. She didn’t miss the loaded glance he sent Roman’s way, but Roman seemed immune or oblivious. The second the doors closed, Roman slipped an arm around Ava’s waist and pulled her in for a toe-curling kiss.
One part of Ava worried that someone might see. But the rest of her responded enthusiastically, clinging to his shirt and opening her mouth for his tongue.
When Roman finally broke the kiss, Ava was lightheaded.
“Hi,” she said, breathless.
“Hi yourself.” Roman released her, but only to grab her hand and lead her farther into the apartment. “Mikayla can’t wait to meet you. You don’t even want to know what I had to bribe her with to keep her from ambushing you in the lobby.”
“Oh?” Ava’s throat dried up, and all the endorphins brought on by his kiss shriveled and died.
Roman paused, and after a look at her face, he squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. They’re going to love you.”
That’s what I’m afraid of, Ava thought.
She’d spent so much of her life trying to make sure everyonedidlike her, it was strange to think about how to ensure someonedidn’t.
Just be cool, she told herself.Aloof. Don’t get in any deeper.
But of course, the second she saw Mikayla, Ava broke into a wide grin. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t stay aloof around a kid. Her teacher persona was too ingrained.
Ava knew the girl was eighteen, but Mikayla looked a few years younger, like she was going into her freshman year of high school instead of college.
“Ava!” Mikayla bounded over from the kitchen counter and threw her arms around Ava in a hug, like they were reuniting after many years apart instead of meeting for the first time.
Unable to stop herself, Ava hugged her back.
Roman’s mother Dulce looked up from where she stirred something in a large sauté pan. Upon seeing Ava, Dulce set down the spoon.
“Hola, Ava. Es un placer.” Dulce cupped Ava’s shoulder and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
“Igualmente,” Ava murmured, kissing the older woman’s cheek. Dulce’s skin was lighter than her daughter’s but moretanned than her son’s, and while neither of her children favored her much in coloring, looks, or build, they all had the same long-lashed brown eyes.
“It smells wonderful in here. Can I help with anything?” Ava asked Dulce. Roman had told her not to, but standing still while his mother cooked didn’t sit right with her.
“You know how to make tostones?” the older woman asked.
Ava grinned. “Of course I know how to make tostones.”
While Ava sliced, smashed, and fried the plantains in oil, she chatted easily with Dulce and Mikayla. It was clear they were close, and Ava was charmed by their easy manner.
“Do you like reading?” Ava asked Mikayla. As an English teacher, this was always her first question when meeting a younger person.
“Are you kidding?” Mikayla crunched on a tortilla chip from the bowl on the counter. “I’m a total bookworm.”
Dulce handed Ava a glass of wine. “Mikayla makes costume plays of the characters too.”
“It’s calledcosplay, Mom.” Mikayla hoisted herself onto one of the bar stools lining the counter. “And yes, while the word technically comes from ‘costume play,’ that makes it sound like a weird sex thing.”
Roman almost choked on his wine, but Dulce just laughed.
