Page 16 of Stay With Me

“I agree. I’ve been thinking of cutting my workload back. I feel like all I do is work. I don’t have time for fun anymore, you know.”

He nods. “I get it. Sometimes, I just want to find love and settle down. As much as partying and drinking is fun, it gets old fast.”

“I wouldn’t know.” I smirk.

“Speaking of finding someone to love, do you have anyone in your life? Or are you still hung up on that pretty little thing.” He gives me a knowing smirk.

Connor and I are like brothers. I’ve known him since kindergarten, and I trust him with my life. So, he knows all about my... crush? Obsession? Whatever you want to call it, with Ava.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond coyly, looking down at the menu.

“You’re still hung up on her, aren’t you?” he chuckles. “Come on, man, you need to move on; it’s never going to happen.”

I freeze.

“Roman,” Connor says slowly.

My eyes flick up to his wide ones. “Yes?”

“You didn’t.”

My eyes go back to the menu, but my lip twitches.

“Oh my god, you dirty dog. Tell me everything!”

I sigh, closing the menu and placing it on the table. “We’re grown men, Connor, not teenage girls gossiping at a sleepover.”

“Fuck that shit,” he snorts. “I know how hung up on her you’ve been for the past two years. You did something, so spill.”

I debate telling him. I trust him not to say anything to anyone.

“This stays between me and you. Utter a word to anyone, and I will end you.” I give him a look that tells him I’m being serious.

He nods. “My lips are sealed.”

“Last night, I called up the service I use when I’m in town.”

“Million Dollar Babes.” He nods. “The girls are good there.”

Fuck. I forgot he’s requested girls from there, too. What if Ava was sent to his place and not my hotel room? The idea of his hands on her makes me want to punch my best friend in the face.

“I asked for my regular preference,” I continue.

He smirks. “You mean girls who look just like Ava.”

“Fuck you.” I narrow my eyes, but he’s not wrong. “Anyway, when I opened the door–”

“It was her doppelgänger.”

“Would you let me fucking finish,” I snap in annoyance.

He smirks, loving the fact he’s getting under my skin. “Sorry, you were saying...”

“No, it wasn’t her doppelgänger. It was her.”

His eyes go comically wide. “No fucking way.”

I grin, nodding.