Page 42 of Stay With Me

“Why?” My brows furrow.

“Because... I’ve seen the change in you during that week, Ava. I even bragged to him about it.” She laughs, shaking her head. “Had no idea I was telling the man who’s made you feel more alive than you’ve ever been right to his face.”

“You did?” My eyes widen, partly in surprise and partly in embarrassment.

She nods. “I’m sorry for how I reacted. It wasn’t right of me to call you the things I did. I was just in shock. I didn’t know how to react.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry about. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“I do.” She bites on her lower lip. “My dad... he ripped into me once you left.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.” My face falls, more guilt filling me. Her dad got mad at her, and it was my fault. I didn’t want to come in between them.

“Stop being sorry, Ava. Don’t you see, I was the one in the wrong. As weird as it was to think about my best friend and my dad, the fact is he was right. You are both adults and have the right to do whatever you want with your lives with whoever you want.”

“Wait... really?” My brows furrow.

“Another question. Was this just sex, or was this something more?”

Nerves wreak havoc on my stomach as I chew the inside of my cheek. “At first, it was just a job. I had no idea it was him when I showed up that first night. When I saw it was him...” My cheeks burn with what I’m about to tell her. “He invited me in. I offered to leave, he said no, and well...” I groan and put my face in my hands. “I took the chance to live out the fantasy I’ve had of him in my head for years.”

“Eww. Gross,” she laughs. “I do not want details on any of that, by the way.” She shudders.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” I sigh. “We agreed to the week he was here, and then we would part ways. But as time went on... things changed. Our feelings changed.”

“So you like him.”

“I do.” I nod.

“More than a friend?”

“Yes.” I lick my lips.

“Do you love him?”

I stare at her, heart racing, not sure what to say. I could tell her no, but it would be a lie. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to fall for him. It just happened.”

She nods. “I don’t know what to think about all of this. But what I do know is I don’t want to lose you. You’re my best friend and anything that happened with you and my dad, I know you weren’t doing it to be spiteful, to hurt me, or to use him for his money. I know you better than anyone else in this world. That’s why I know whatever happened with you two must have been real.”

Hope swells in my heart. “I don’t want to lose you, Tasha. Roman and I, we’re over. I don’t want to come in between you and him. And I can’t stand the idea of a life without you in it.”

“Wow, now don’t be so drastic. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with the two of you, I just want you to know I won’t try to come in between you two. You’re adults, do as you please. He’s still my dad, and you’re still my best friend.”

“Really?” Tears fill my eyes. “I love you, Tasha, so much.”

“Ugh, girl, come hug me before I cry,” she demands, eyes growing misty.

We lean forward and hug for a few seconds, holding each other tightly. “I hate to make up and run, but I’ve got to go to work,” she says, pulling back.

“Okay. Talk more later?” I ask, wiping at my tears with the sleeve of my sweater.

She sniffs, wiping at her eyes, too. “I’m sorry for being a grade-A bitch, by the way.”

“I forgive you.” I laugh, a real smile finding my face.

Tasha gets ready and leaves for work. As for me, I curl up on the couch, not sure what to do. Tasha says she’s okay with Roman and me, but is it worth tempting fate?

I have a lot to think about. And I pray I don’t make the wrong choice.