Page 67 of Along Came Amor
Ashton followed his gaze. “That’s Ava. Jasmine’s cousin.”
“We’ve met,” Roman murmured, then quickly added, “she just introduced herself.”
“The three of them are close.” Ashton gestured at Ava, Jasmine, and Michelle. “They call themselves the Primas of Power.”
“Cute.” Roman wondered if they knew about him. Probably not, if Ava’s reaction was anything to go by. He knew there was someone she texted whenever she stayed with him, but who was it, if not her cousins?
It stung a little to realize she was hiding his existence like some dirty little secret, when all of the most important people in his life—his mother, sister, Camille, and Ashton—all knew about Ava, even if they didn’t have all the details.
The dance floor was filling up and the entrees would be brought out soon, so everyone trooped off the stage to mingle. Roman was talking to Ashton’s father when Ava caught his eye. He excused himself from the older man and stepped aside. Barely a minute passed before Ava sidled up to him.
“We need to talk,” she said under her breath, her serious tone at odds with her cheery smile. “Now.”
Roman smiled too and waved to the head of catering, who was heading back to the kitchen. “Meet me by the bathrooms in five,” he said out of the corner of his mouth.
With a barely perceptible nod, Ava disappeared into the crowd.
A few minutes later, Roman loitered in the hallway outside the entrance to the restrooms. Soon, Ava appeared. Her smile was gone, and her expression was pinched. It reminded him of the way she’d looked when she arrived at his apartment the last time he’d seen her, after a nerve-racking event had shaken her to the core.
“Is there somewhere private we can go?” she asked the second she’d reached him. “I’m assuming you own this hotel too.”
He didn’t respond to that because it was true. “There’s an office nearby.”
He wanted to take her hand, but something told him she wouldn’t go for it. Instead, he led her through an employees-only hallway and used his master keycard to unlock an office door. He happened to know this one was out of use, since the hotel was undergoing major changes in the lead-up to being remodeled as a Dulce Moderno soon.
The moment the door closed behind them, Ava rounded on him.
“You didn’t know?” Her tone was accusatory.
Roman shook his head. “How would I? Did you?”
She began to pace, fiddling with her necklace. “Jasmine only referred to you as ‘Ashton’s best friend.’ I figured you were some famous actor, and maybe your name was supposed to be a secret.”
He stuffed his hands into his pockets because all he wanted to do was grab her and kiss her. “Ashton and I starred in a telenovela together almost twenty years ago, but I would hardly call myself afamous actor.”
Ava pressed her fingers to her temples. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Thatwhat’shappening?”
“That you’re in my cousin’s wedding!”
“Why does it matter?”
She dropped her hands and gaped at him. “Why does it matter that the random guy I met at a bar is in my cousin’s wedding party? This practically makes you family.”
He winced. “Not really. Also, ouch.Random guy?Is that all I am?”
Her eyes skittered away from his. He didn’t think she’d meant to sound so dismissive, but damn, it had hurt.
“Ava.” Roman approached her slowly, gratified when she didn’t back away. He took her hands, not sure how she’d react if he tried to hold her right now. “Please talk to me. I don’t understand why you’re so freaked out by this.”
She pulled her hands from his and paced away. “We’re going to have to act like we just met and have no history. Can you do that?”
“Why? What’s the big deal?”
Her expression was severe. “Why? Because my relatives are the absolute worst when it comes to relationships.”
“What do you—?”
