Page 32 of Stay With Me

Ava

When I step out of the bathroom, I’m buzzing with excitement. I’m also freaking out on the inside.

Roman wants me. He wants me for more than sex, more than just a few nights of fun. Is this even real?

Could this even work?

God, I really want this to be true.

It might have only been a few days, but I feel more connected to Roman than any man I’ve ever been with. The idea of being with someone else after him holds no interest for me, and the idea of him being with another woman after me sends me into a blind panic.

Call me foolish, call me young, but I’m utterly ruined for anyone who isn’t Roman Knight.

Before this week, it was a crush. A very intense, unhealthy one, but now? Now that I’ve had his hands on my body, his tongue on my flesh, it’s so much more than that.

I’m addicted to him, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop.

Who knows where our future will take us, but I don’t want to look back ten years down the line and wonder about all the what-ifs.

Patting down my dress one last time, I head over to the table. Tasha looks up at me with a glassy smile, and guilt hits me.

I hate lying and sneaking around behind my best friend’s back. I should tell her—we should. But if we do and she freaks out, I’ll lose Roman for good. Because I know that man, and if he had to choose, he would pick his daughter.

And as much as it would crush me, I wouldn’t expect anything else from him. He’s a good man, a good dad.

“There you are. I was wondering if you got lost,” she teases with a giggle. My brows raise as I cast a look at Roman. His lip twitches as he looks back at his daughter.

I take a seat and take in my best friend. “Are you drunk?”

“Me?” she scoffs. “Nooo... okay, maybe just a little.” She giggles some more, grabbing her drink. She’s a little clumsy, though, and it sloshes around. “Oops.” She brings it to her lips and takes a long drink. “God, this is so good. You can’t even tell there’s two shots in this!”

“Two.” I blink a few times. “Tasha, girly, how many have you had?”

Her brows scrunch in thought. “Ahh...” She lifts her hand and holds up three fingers. “Five.”

“Oh god.” I bite my lips together, holding back a laugh.

“Alright, honey, I’m cutting you off for the night.”

She shoots Roman a glare. “You’re not my dad.” Roman’s brow lifts. “Oh, wait a minute, yeah, you are.” Tasha bursts out laughing like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

Roman shakes his head, grinning. “I’m going to go pay the bill. Be right back.” He shoots me a wink that Tasha doesn’t see. “And you, stay here.” He stands up and leans over, kissing Tasha on the top of her head before heading towards the front.

“He’s a good dad.” Tasha sighs, dropping her chin in the palm of her hand. “I just wish he would find someone, you know? Someone who’s worthy of him. Someone he can love, who loves him and takes care of him. He hasn’t ever really been in a relationship before. He needs someone who’s sweet, kind, and has a good head on their shoulders.” Her eyes light up. “Someone like you!” My heart pounds in my chest as I swallow a hard lump. “But... like, not you. Because that would be so weird.” She scrunches up her nose. “My best friend and my dad?” She shudders as if it’s the most disgusting thing she’s ever heard. “Gross. No, thank you.”

Dread fills me, and I’m hit with the overwhelming need to cry. She just crushed my heart, and doesn’t even realize it.

Roman comes back, a bright, handsome smile on his face. “Alright, ladies. Let’s get out of here, shall we?”

I do my best to put on a fake smile and nod. “Come on, Tasha. Let’s get your drunk-ass home.”

“Fiiiine,” she whines. “But let me finish my drink.” She grabs for it, but Roman snatches it away before she can.

“I think you’ve had enough,” he chuckles. She pouts up at him but lets him pull her to her feet. I follow after, the feeling of dread growing heavy in my stomach.

Jeremy is waiting out front when we get outside. Roman helps her into the back seat, and I follow after. I give him a small smile which he returns, and it has my heart breaking even more. He doesn’t notice as he closes the door and gets into the front.

Tasha is out cold the moment we pull out onto the highway, her head on my shoulder as she snores softly. I look out the window, chewing on my bottom lip as my mind races.