Page 46 of Stay With Me

I laugh. “Well, technically, you’re going to be a big sister.”

“Holy shit!” Her eyes widen as her hands fly to her mouth. “I’m going to be a big sister! Oh my god, I always wanted siblings.”

I can’t help it, I start to cry. I don’t even care about my makeup as Tasha pulls me in for a hug.

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad? No way. I’m so damn excited. This is amazing, Ava,” she cheers, pulling back to look at me. “Does my dad know?”

I shake my head, dabbing at the corner of my eyes with the tissue she hands me. “No. I just found out yesterday, and I wanted to wait until all the stress of the wedding was over with. I’m going to tell him tonight.”

“He’s going to be so happy.” Tasha smiles.

“You think?”

“Oh yeah.” She laughs. “I think that man has been trying to knock you up for a while now.”

“Oh my god.” I laugh, burying my face in my hands. “That’s weird for you to say.”

She gives me a sly grin. “I’m not blind. I see how he looks at you. I’m happy for you both. He loves kids, and I know he wishes he had more. I don’t think he did because of how things went with him and my mom. It scared him, you know?”

“I know.” I nod. “And no offense to your mom, but I’m nothing like her.”

“Offend all you like.” Tasha rolls her eyes. “And no, you’re a million times better than her. I know you love him and would never hurt him.”

“Never,” I say strongly.

There’s a knock at the door, and Connor’s deep voice sounds through the wood. “Hope I’m not rushing anyone, but the ceremony is about to begin.”

“We’re coming!” Tasha shouts back. “Okay, babe, you ready to make an honest man out of my dad?”

“Always.” I laugh.

Taking a moment to fix my makeup and hair, I take one last look at myself and smile. I look and feel like a princess today, and I know Roman is going to think so, too.

“Come on, Little One. Let’s go see your daddy,” I whisper as I pat my belly gently before heading out of the room.

It feels like a dream. I’m with the man I’ve been in love with most of my life, someone I thought would never see me as anything more than his daughter’s best friend. And now, not only does he love me back, but we live together, we’re getting married, and I’m having his baby. My life is everything I could have dreamed of and more.

When we step out into the hall, I watch as Connor grabs Tasha around the waist and pulls her in for a kiss. I grin as my best friend stumbles back, all flustered. Connor, the cocky man he is, winks before slapping her ass and strolling away.

“It’s going to be you two next, you know.”

Tasha grins. “I don’t know. He’d have to get my father’s approval. He might be okay with his best friend dating his daughter, but I think he would have a heart attack if I were to marry him.”

“Your dad loves you, Tasha. Don’t be so quick to write that one off. As long as you’re happy and Connor loves you, which he does, that’s all your dad cares about.”

She just gives me a smile and nods.

When Roman found out about Tasha and Connor, he wasn’t very happy. But I reminded him that he had no room to talk, seeing how he was with his daughter’s best friend. It helped a little, but only after Roman kicked Connor’s ass and told him if he hurt his daughter, he’d kill him. After that, things have been good.

Who knew all Tasha needed to do was lose her job, have a quarter-life crisis, and move in with her dad’s best friend. But that’s a story for another time.

“Are you ready?” Tasha asks me, handing me my bouquet. I’m walking down the aisle alone today. Not everyone took the news about Roman and me very well. When I told my parents, I was surprised to see the disappointment in their eyes. I knew they wouldn’t be happy that I was dating an older man, but I never thought my father would make some pretty disgusting comments towards Roman. After telling him that Roman is a good man and never once tried anything with me before I was twenty-one, I left them and haven’t heard from my parents since.

It hurt, and I cried to Roman. Being the sweet man he is, he didn’t think ill of my father, telling me that maybe he’ll come around someday. It’s been two years; I’m not holding my breath. And as sad as I am about it, this is my life, and I have the right to be happy with whoever I want.

“Yeah.” I nod, taking a deep breath. Hopefully, the morning sickness holds off until after we say ‘I do’.