Page 13

Story: Just Right

Something dawned on me then.

Oh, God.

Were they feeding me because they thought I didn’t have food? That I’d broken in and eaten because I didn’t have food at home?

“It’s lemon blueberry,” Sincere added, oblivious to my spiraling thoughts.

Those words triggered another thought and my mind detoured from its embarrassing track to the dessert I inhaled last night.

“Did you make the blueberry cookies on the counter too?”

He paused and looked at me with a subtle lift of his lips. “Yes. Why?”

“No reason.” I cleared my throat. “I tried them yesterday. That’s all.”

He set the plate of muffins down and his smile bloomed. “Did you like them?”

“Yes. They were amazing. I’ve never had a blueberry cookie before.” My mouth watered just thinking about them, but then the heat of embarrassment flushed my cheeks when I remembered what I did after eating them.

“I’m happy you liked them, love,” Sincere said quietly, his expression unreadable as he picked up his fork to eat again.

“Sin is the best baker I know,” Lorenzo chimed in, casting a loving glance at his husband. “But Rome and I are the only ones who ever get to try his stuff because he won’t put himself out there.”

It was clear there was more to it, but I wouldn’t be the one to pry.

A companionable silence fell on the dining room as we went back to stuffing our faces. The only sounds were of forks clattering against porcelain and the occasional thump of a plate being returned to the center of the table after someone took more of what they wanted.

Sincere and Lorenzo sat opposite me and Romeo, giving me a front row view of all their sweet touches and soft murmurs. Even if Sincere hadn’t told me they were married last night, there’d be no doubt in my mind after sharing this meal with them.

Which led my musings to wander in a different direction. Where did Romeo fit into all of this?

Was he just their best friend or had I broken in to the home of a tr?—

“What’s on your mind, mamas?” Lorenzo’s cool voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Looks like you have questions.”

When I glimpsed his face, I found nothing but an inviting smile.

I bit my lip, thought of how to phrase my curiosity and then just went with the straightforward approach. “So, what is your dynamic? Are all three of you in a relationship?”

Romeo cleared his throat.

Lorenzo raised an amused brow.

And Sincere, who was quickly becoming my favorite, actually answered, “Something like that. It’s…unconventional. Technically, only Enzo and I are married. But we’re nothing without Rome. We’ve been inseparable since college and just because we’re not together in that way doesn’t mean I love him any less. I still consider him my partner, one of my soulmates, and so does Enzo. We go where he goes. Which is why we’re currently living up here in the mountains. He wanted to live here while he got his herbal apothecary off the ground. We were out celebrating the two-year anniversary last night.” A fond smile touched his lips when he looked over at Rome and then back at me.

“I see.” I didn’t. Not really. But like he said, it was unconventional and therefore, really none of my business. They didn’t even owe me an answer to that question, but my curiosity thanked them anyway.

“Most people don’t get it. Think we’re some sick codependent freaks, but…” he trailed and I dropped my fork to cut in.

“Fuck what other people think. It doesn’t matter if they understand it as long as the three of you do. What you have sounds…special.” My voice dipped and I ignored the longing trying to form a catch in my throat. I couldn’t imagine going through life having one—let alone,two—partners I knew wouldbe beside me through thick and thin. By design, my life had been a solo one for the past three years. I was tired of it. Hence, why I’d been in Bliss Peak for so long. It was time for me to put down roots, but I doubted they’d ever be as strong and interwoven as the ones these three had grown. I toyed with the end of my fork, the gold blurring as my eyes grew misty.

A sad smile lifted my lips and I reached for my orange juice. I didn’t make eye contact with any of them again until I knew the annoying moisture in my eyes had subsided. “I hope you cherish that.”

“We do,” Enzo and Sincere said in unison. Romeo just gave me a sidelong look before lifting another piece of bacon to his lips.

“So what do you do if you’re not a baker?” I asked conversationally.

“I take care of them,” Sincere answered without missing a beat. There wasn’t a hint of resentment or regret in his tone and the genuine smile that followed made me smile.