Page 19 of Ava After Midnight

“He loves me.” I tell the room the same thing I’ve told myself since we started dating.Why would he put up with me if he didn’t love me?

“He loves the idea of you,” Jade corrects. “The perfect Black trophy wife who’ll make his firm look progressive while playing by all his rules.”

“That’s not—”But isn’t it?

My protest dies as memories flood in—Matthew vetoing my natural hair for work events, suggesting I “tone down” my laugh at his firm’s parties, his subtle grimace when my family gets “too loud” at Sunday dinner.

He loves me. He does.

But love shouldn’t feel like walking a tightrope. Like shrinking yourself to fit someone else’s expectations. Like apologizing for simply existing the way you were made.

When was the last time he touched me like he wanted to?

Not for an event. Not out of obligation. But because he couldn’t help himself?

The answer sits heavy in my gut.

“Look.” Jade perches on the bed’s edge, humor gone. I sit up fully now, crossing my legs to keep my balance. “Nobody’s saying jump from Matthew’s cage into Domingo’s bed.”

“Though that wouldn’t be the worst life choice,” Zoe mutters.

“Thepointis," Jade continues, shooting Zoe a scathing look, “you’ve got this look in your eyes I haven’t seen since college. Like you’re finally remembering who you are under all Matthew’s rules.”

“And who’s that?” The question comes out smaller than I intend.

“A fucking force of nature.” Zoe sits up and squeezes my hand. “The girl who used to paint until sunrise, who danced on bars, who didn’t need a man’s permission tobreathe.”

My throat tightens. “That girl was reckless.”

“That girl was free.” Jade’s voice softens, but her conviction doesn’t. “And hot bartender out there? He sees her. The real you.”

As if summoned, Domingo’s laugh drifts through the door—rich, warm, dangerous. My body reacts like he’s touched me; I feel heat pooling in my lower abdomen.

“Speaking of Mia’s mess,” Zoe checks her phone. "Jade and I should probably clear out of here. Get a hotel room.”

“Wait!” The word comes out too quick, too sharp.

Jade’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Unless... you want to come with us? Don’t you want more time alone with tall, dark, and morally upstanding?”

Heat floods my cheeks. “I just…Thank you—I don’t want to deal with Mia tonight. Or Matthew’s calls. Or anything except…”

Except the way Domingo makes me feel alive.

“Girl.” Zoe’s grin turns wicked. “Say less.” She grabs her overnight bag, eyes glinting. “Just remember— he may have morals, but you’ve still got a ring.”

“Had a ring,” Jade corrects, dangling my three-carat cage from her finger. “Which I’m keeping safe until tomorrow. You know, in case you decide to use the hot tub again.”

My bare finger tingles. I press my fingers together, and the absence of the metal feels strangely right. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

“Uh huh.” Zoe doesn’t even try to hide her disbelief. “That’s why you’re blushing every time he speaks Spanish.”

“I’m not?—”

“Papi, ven aquí,” Jade coos in an exaggerated accent, waggling her brows. “¿Quieres que te enseñe unos pasos, mi amor?”

Zoe cackles. “Damn, that was terrible. Domingo would?—”

CRASH.

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