Page 70 of Along Came Amor
He didn’t follow her.
After all this time, he knew her patterns. She’d shared something today, so she was going to pull away for a while.
That was okay. He’d give her space, and use it to prepare.
After leaving the office, Roman stopped by the bathroom to clean up. He took his time, figuring Ava would have a fit if he returned to the party right after she did. When he reached into his pocket to check his phone, he was surprised to find a scrapof fabric in there. A wicked grin spread over his face when he pulled out Ava’s white lace panties. Oh yeah, he was keeping these.
Before he could question the wisdom of teasing her, he shot her a text.
Roman:Missing something?
He attached a photo of the panties dangling from his finger.
While he didn’t expect her to reply, he wanted her to know this wasn’t over. He’d respect her wishes, of course, but he wasn’t giving up hope. There was something real between them, something more than sex, and they owed it to themselves to see what it was.
He had two months to figure it out.
Back at the party, Roman noted that the food had come out and most people were sitting down eating. He looked around nonchalantly, trying to spot Ava.
“Where have you been?” Ashton hissed, appearing at Roman’s side.
“Had to take a call,” Roman replied absently.
Ah, there she was. Across the ballroom, Ava bent low to speak to an older woman who was seated at one of the family tables.
Ashton followed Roman’s gaze and sucked in a breath. “No lo creo.”
Roman shot him a look. “What?”
Ashton’s jaw dropped, and he gave Roman a once over. Roman quickly patted his hair, but he knew it was fine, because he’d fixed it in the bathroom mirror. Maybe his pants were a little wrinkled, but—
“What?” he repeated, growing irritated.
“You’re shitting me.” Ashton’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You and Ava? ¿En serio?”
Oh shit. This was exactly what Avadidn’twant. Roman’s heart pounded, and he tried to evade. “What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to.” Ashton’s brows drew together, and he looked angry. “What the hell? Sneaking off with the maid of honor during the engagement party? Right after she finds out her ex is getting remarried? That’s a bit cliché, even for you.”
“No, we—what the fuck? What do you mean,even for me?” Roman quietly noted the ex-getting-remarried part. Sothatwas why Ava had texted him. The knowledge deflated him a bit.
But Ashton wasn’t done. “How many models have you dated, huh?”
“How many models haveyoudated?” Roman shot back, pissed off at this line of questioning.
Ashton gave him a dark look. “That was a long time ago.”
“Same for me. And what the hell do models have to do with anything?”
“They’re a metaphor. My point is, you date women who are convenient, who you can show off at an event and kiss goodbye at the end of the night—or the next morning—without a care in the world.”
It was eerily similar to what Roman’s mother had said. “So?”
“So, your type isn’t emotionally vulnerable divorcées. I’m warning you, Ro. Ava’s not going to be your wedding party hookup.”
Roman scowled. “It’s not like that.”
“Then qué es eso? Besides, weren’t you dating a...” Ashton trailed off, and Roman could all but see the gears turning inthe other man’s head. A second later, Ashton gave a gasp worthy of a telenovela matriarch. “No me digas.”
