Page 29 of Stay With Me
Not wanting to draw attention to how her words bothered me, I excused myself from the table. Then, I stood and watched her from afar.
Keeping true to my word, I used the toy. The sounds she made had me growing painfully hard in my pants. She did so well, though, brushing it off as a cramp. While she did draw the attention of a few other guests, the only one who really had their eyes on Ava was Tasha.
I pray my daughter won’t hate me, won’t resent me when I tell her I’m in love with her best friend.
Because I’ll have to. Ava deserves more than thinking she’s my dirty little secret, a mistress. No, my princess will not be hidden but proudly shown off to the world.
It’s been about ten minutes since I returned to the table, and I can tell Ava is a little tense, her body stiff. I fear that I’ve made her uncomfortable. She won’t look at me. Did I take things too far?
She wipes her mouth with the black napkin and places it down on her empty plate. Another thing that I find so damn sexy about her is that she’s not afraid to be herself. Not that there’s anything wrong with eating salads—they’re healthy and taste good enough—but Ava ordered the steak and potatoes, not giving a shit about what she eats.
“I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” She looks at Tasha when she says this, casting me a quick glance before standing up and leaving the table.
I resist the urge to watch her walk away in that dress. That fucking dress that hugs her so damn delectably.
When Ava is gone, Tasha turns her stormy eyes over to me. “Dad, what the hell was earlier about?” she hisses.
I raise my brows. “What do you mean?”
“The way you grilled Ava with all those questions. It was weird.” She shakes her head.
“I’m sorry if I’m interested in her life.” I shrug. “She’s been your friend for years; she’s a part of the family. I want to know how she’s doing. It’s been years since we talked.”
She gives me an uncertain look before letting out a heavy sigh. “Okay, do not tell her I told you this, or I’ll kill you.” I can’t help but chuckle as my daughter narrows her gaze on me.
“My lips are sealed.” For extra dramatic flair, I do the zip the-lips motion.
She looks behind me to see if Ava is coming back. Amusement swims in my eyes as I watch her, waiting for her to go on with the very top secret information she’s about to reveal to me. Letting out a heavy sigh, she brings her attention to me. “Ava has had a crush on you for a long time.”
My brows shoot up, and I can’t help the smug look that forms on my face. “Oh, has she?”
Tasha narrows her eyes at me and slaps my arm. “Don’t you start. This is serious. She doesn’t know that I know, but I’m not blind. I saw how she looked at you when we were teenagers. And anytime I’ve brought up your name, she blushes like crazy.”
“And why are you revealing such secrets to me?”
“Because, Ava is seeing someone. I have no idea how serious it is—she hasn’t talked to me much about it because of how new it is. But whoever this guy is, he’s good for her. She’s happier, smiles more, and it looks like a little bit of life has come back into her. She spent so many years working her ass off in school that it drained her.”
My face falls and my heart clenches, being both pleased by her words but also worried about how hard Ava works herself. “Again, why are you telling me this?”
“Because the way you’re coming off, it seems like you’re interested in her... like really interested in her. And I don’t want her getting the wrong impression, thinking she has a chance with you and giving up on this new guy. So, stop asking her about her life. It’s weird and just plain mean to make her think she could actually be with you.”
I love my daughter, but I have no idea how she got this impression from what I’ve said. But I nod my head. “Of course. I’ll back off.”
“Thank you.”
“So, this guy she’s seeing.”
“Stop.” Tasha narrows her eyes.
I hold up my hands. “I just want to make sure she’s safe while also being happy.”
“She is.” Tasha nods. “I really do hope he sticks around.”
So do I. So do fucking I.
My phone rings. “Just a second.” I grab my phone and frown. “I’ve got to answer this. I’ll be right back.”
“Again? Dad! You’re only here for a week, and this is the first time I’ve gotten to see you.”