Page 74 of Along Came Amor
“Jasmine needs me.”
“Ava, there’s helping, and then there’s whatever you do, Ms. Katniss Everdeen.” Damaris waved a hand in front of Ava as if to indicate her impulsive volunteering behavior. “This is your first summer off in years and you’re spending it on Jasmine’s wedding stuff.”
It was true. Every year, Ava had cobbled together extra jobs—summer school, theater camp, tutoring—first to pay down her student loans faster, and then to cover the rent on her old apartment full of Hector’s shit. But she didn’t want to talk about that. “Look, I’m aware that when it comes to my family, my boundaries aren’t the greatest. But that’s why I’m trying to have better boundaries with Roman. Running off to Puerto Rico with him is the opposite of that!”
“If you can keep your distance from that man in PR, you’ll know your boundaries are strong as steel.”
“You’re right.” She just had to move Roman out of “hookup” territory and keep him firmly within the bounds of the wedding party. Regardless of how Ava felt, Jasmine deserved the perfect wedding and Ava wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. “We’re the maid of honor and best man, and we’re only going on this trip to help the bride and groom. That’s it.”
Damaris toasted her with a nearly empty glass. “That almost sounded convincing.”
Ava groaned. “What will it say about me if I can’t keep my hands off him?”
“That you’re a grown woman who can do whatever shewants?” Damaris shrugged. “What does it matter? Who will know?”
“You’ve met my family. If any of them find out, I will never know a moment’s peace.”
“Why do you even care what they say?” At Ava’s incredulous look, Damaris held up her hands. “Forget I asked. Just get the wedding stuff done and try to enjoy yourself. For my sake, if not your own.” She raised her glass. “Trust the Universe!”
Ava clinked her glass to her friend’s and didn’t point out that the Universe was what had gotten her into this mess in the first place.
It didn’t matter. She was in control now. The nature of her relationship with Roman might have changed, but she would handle it, just like she handled everything else that came her way.
And if she got tempted... well, that was why God had created travel vibrators.
Chapter 23
July
Roman didn’t charter planes often, but a private flight with Ava had been too good to pass up. And watching her pretend not to enjoy it was a fucking delight.
When they’d boarded the midsize jet, she’d gazed around the cabin, slowly taking in the wood paneling, plush leather seats, tables laden with snacks thanks to the cabin attendant—a friendly young man named Enrique—and windows unblocked by other passengers. She’d started out sitting primly, but in less than an hour, she’d reclined and kicked her long legs out in front of her, all while savoring a glass of expensive champagne.
Roman sat diagonally across from her, so he could see her face. He wanted to be closer, but didn’t push it. Besides, there were other ways to charm a schoolteacher.
He’d given her space since the engagement party, partly because he wanted to regroup, and also because he figured she needed time to wrap her head around the change in their situation.
Not only that, Ashton had specifically told himnotto messthis up. They had a job to do, and they’d do it, but Roman hadn’t gotten here by squandering opportunities.
The second Ava had volunteered to go to Puerto Rico, Roman had leaped into action. Rearranging his schedule to unexpectedly take three days off was no small task, but now that they were here, Operation Ava was in full swing.
He needed to handle it carefully so Ava didn’t feel like she was being maneuvered. And since she wouldn’t let him buy her gifts, he’d lined up a series of romantic evenings instead. On the first night, he’d booked them a private sunset cruise. For the second, they’d take an overnight trip to Vieques by helicopter with a tour of the bioluminescent bay. On the last night, he’d arranged for dinner from one of the top chefs on the island. He hoped the gestures would show her that he was serious about their relationship, and that he’d meant it when he said she deserved to be treasured.
Looking up from the reports he’d been reviewing, he took in the office supplies strewn across the table before her. They weren’t the kind he was used to. For instance, his paper clips didn’t have tiny white bows on them, and he’d never in his life used so many stickers.
He slipped off his reading glasses. “What on earth are you doing over there?”
She blinked like she’d been pulled out of deep focus. “I’m working on the planner for the wedding.”
“Planner?”
Ava turned the small three-ring binder around so he could see it. She deftly flipped through the pages, which were sorted by cardboard dividers featuring stylized illustrations of tanned women in bridal attire.
“Each section relates to a wedding event,” she explained. “Engagement party, bridal shower, dress fitting, and so on, along with all the tasks we have to complete while we’re in Puerto Rico. Cake tasting, ceremony location, florist—”
“But the wedding planner sent us a spreadsheet.”
Ava’s mouth pinched in what Roman had realized was her version of a fierce scowl. “A spreadsheet isn’t tactile. I can’t easily take notes in a spreadsheet.”
