Page 44 of Stay With Me
“I’m on my way. And Tasha... thanks. I don’t think Ava would even talk to me if she thought you wouldn’t be okay with this.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already talked to her. And yes, I apologized for being a raging bitch, don’t worry.”
I huff out a laugh and close my office door behind me. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too, Dad. Now, go get your girl,” she tells me before hanging up.
Rushing down the hall, I stop at my assistant’s desk. “Get this to Richard.” I don’t say anything else as I rush out of the building and down to my car.
The traffic in this damn city has me nearly going mad as the desperate need to get to Ava consumes me.
When I pull out onto the highway, I breathe a little easier.
I don’t stop, driving the hour and a half straight to Philadelphia.
***
By the time I reach Philly, it’s pouring rain. I’ve tried texting and calling Ava, but still no answer. It pisses me off, but I understand. Even after her talk with Tasha, I’m sure she would want some time to think about things, to weigh her options on what to do next.
But me? Yeah, I already knew what I was going to do before that phone call. Hearing Tasha’s approval had me abandoning the plans I already had and moving up the timeline.
Not that I needed Tasha’s approval. I was going to be with Ava whether Tasha liked it or not.
Pulling up to the apartment, I’m out of the car the moment the engine is off. My heart thunders in my chest as the rain beats down on me, soaking my charcoal suit. I don’t care as I jog up the stairs to the front door of the building.
Pressing the buzzer to their apartment, I wait, wondering if she’s going to ask who it is or just buzz me up.
But after a moment, there’s nothing. So I try again. Still nothing.
“Fuck.” I sigh, running my hand through my now dripping hair. She’s not here. Why does that send a rush of panic through me?
“Roman?” Her soft, surprised voice has me spinning around.
She stands there on the sidewalk with a black umbrella in her hand, eyes wide, lips parted.
“Ava.” As I say her name, all the heaviness on my heart and soul seems to drift away.
“What are you doing here?” she asks me hesitantly.
Slowly, I make my way down the steps.
“Roman, it’s pouring out. You’re all wet. You’re going to get sick,” she chastises as I stop in front of her.
“I don’t care,” I tell her as I duck under the umbrella.
She blinks up at me, uncertainty in her eyes. I hate it.
“Roman.” I love my name on her lips so damn much.
“Ava.” I tower over her, water dripping down my face. She opens her mouth, most likely to protest, but I don’t give her the chance. “You are mine, Ava. I will never let you go. I will follow you to the ends of the earth. I know what you might think. You’re too young, I’m too old. We want different things out of life. But you’re missing one crucial part: the only thing I want in life is you. Nothing else matters. If you want to live here and work at the hospital, that’s what we will do. If you want to travel the world, name the place and we’re there. Want to get married? Name the ring store. Want babies? Sold, how many? You are it for me, Ava.”
Her bottom lip quivers as her eyes fill with tears. “Are you sure?” she whispers, and I hate the level of uncertainty in her tone.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.” And I mean it.
“I missed you,” she whimpers, and that’s what breaks me.
With a low growl, I lunge forward. Kissing her deeply, I swallow her gasps as my tongue slips in and over hers.