Page 23

Story: Just Right

He sounded nervous and that made me nervous. Sweat pricked my palm and I try to play it off by collecting the cool condensation on my cocktail glass.

A few minutes ago, his knee started jumping under the table and I wrote it off as a natural reaction to sitting for a while. We’d been huddled in this booth forhoursand he didn’t seem like a man who stayed idle for long. “Oh?”

Sincere met my eyes, the kindness in them striking me for the hundredth time since he walked into the bar. I’d never met another person with such a vulnerable gaze. His brown eyes said so much even though he’d revealed very little up until this point.

My nonstop chatter probably didn’t help. It was just that today hadn’t gone anywhere near the way I thought it would.

Showing up at Romeo’s shop earlier wasn’t veryI’ll never see these three fine ass men againof me, but I couldn’t bear the thought of someone being mad at me. Even though Romeo and I had ended our exchange amicably two mornings ago, I couldn’t shake the way he’d looked at me. That look was missing in action when I popped up on him today, so I was counting it as a win. And now, here I was with Sincere.

I was failing the mission. Successfully. All I needed now was a Lorenzo sighting and I’d probably—definitely—lose my mind.

Sincere pulled his bottom lip into his mouth, and the dimple in his left cheek sent my stomach into a fit of flutters.

God, I would never get over that. I could seeexactlywhat Lorenzo saw in this man. Too damn fine for words. Everybody in that house of theirs was just attractive beyond anything my brain could comprehend. In three uniquely different ways too.

And they’retaken.

The men in that house are off-limits, Goldyn. Stop being a bird because one of them gave you some attention.

“Are you dating anyone?”

The chirping in my head kicked up a notch at his question and I tossed back the rest of my drink before staring at him with a teasing smile.

“Why? You wanna set me up with somebody?”

He hedged, rubbing his fingers over his bottom lip as he looked at me.

Oh, god. I was joking but he looked serious.

“Well…no. Not really.” His eyes darted to mine before he quickly tore them away.

Goodness, he was killing me now. I could understand nerves, but the anxious energy rolling off of him was infecting me.

“I meant it when I said you’re the most fascinating person I ever met. You’re beautiful and your energy speaks for itself. I’mreallyglad we met. I’m interested in you, Goldyn.”

That had to be the most respectful way anyone had ever expressed their interest in me. It was direct. And yet, I was still confused.

This man was married. I’d heard him say it with my own two ears. I’dseenit at that breakfast. He and Enzo couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

So, what was happening?

“I’m sure that’s confusing for you to hear.”

I knew the smile on my face was awkward, but I couldn’t help it. “A bit.”

He adjusted against the booth, a little away from me so he could look me in my eyes directly. “Enzo and I are non-monogamous.”

I nodded. That much had been clear when I put the pieces together about the platonic romance he and Lorenzo shared with Rome. It was refreshing and intriguing and I loved that for them.

“Okay.” I sat up straighter, ignoring my bladder’s plea to break the seal. I couldn’t ruin this moment and get up just yet.

“As much as we love each other, we’re both still open to giving and receiving love from other people.”

I nodded again, my eyes trained on his as he peered into my soul.

Sincere paused to lick his lips and I couldn’t help but track the movement of his tongue.

“I’m gonna be honest with you, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the night we met. I talked to Enzo about it and he told me to see what unfolded naturally. And then I randomly run into you after I took a drive to clear my mind. I can’t help but see that as a sign.”