Page 68 of Lessons in Chemistry

“Who knows?”

I don’t, but my mind is opening up to possibilities I didn’t know existed. Was this how Casey felt when he talked to Auggie and realised there was a label for the way he felt? It’s liberating. My pulse races.

Auggie cups my cheek, bringing me back to the moment. “All this is assuming you’re interested and that Casey is too. I might have done all this research for nothing. But it felt right while I was reading up about it. It could work for us. A way for us all to get the guy, so to speak. A way for all our needs to be met without anyone having to compromise or get their hearts broken.” He does jazz hands. “Ta-da! What do you think?”

“I—wow. That’s a lot to think about.”

He grasps my hands. “I wanted you to know it’s okay for you to like both of us. That it’s not weird or even all that unusual.”

“I’ve seen love triangles in the films I like to watch, but never full-on poly relationships.”

“What films?”

My cheeks heat up. “American teen movies. You probably think it’s silly. I especially like the ones based on Shakespeare’s plays.”

Auggie chuckles. “I bet you do. Also, the media sucks. There’s hardly any LGBTQ+ content either, but we exist.”

“True, although rep is getting better.”

“And maybe it will for poly relationships one day too. But until then, I want you to know it’s okay for you to be with both of us as long as we all agree to it.”

I stare into his eyes. “Would you be okay with a relationship like that?”

“I don’t know, but I’d be willing to give it a go. I can’t see we have anything to lose, but we might have everything to gain. Will you think about it?”

“Yes.”

He grins, lets go of my hands, and sips his coffee. “Oh, god, that tastes awful. Cold coffee is the worst. No offence.”

“None taken.”

“I’ll get us a fresh round of drinks. Unless you want to run off to the library and study or something equally awful?”

“No. I’ve got too much to think about to be able to concentrate on studying.”

Auggie gasps dramatically and clutches his chest. “Did I hear right? Emory doesn’t want to study? Is the world ending?”

I pick up a napkin and chuck it at him. “It’s not that momentous an occasion.”

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“You were going to get drinks.”

He laughs and wanders off to the serving counter. I watch him, my heart fluttering with excitement. Could we make a poly relationship work? Would Casey even consider it? I wipe my hands over my face, dislodging my glasses, which I have to set right again.

“I want to suggest it to Casey,” I say the moment Auggie returns with fresh drinks.

“You do?”

“Yes. But how?”

“I’ve got an idea for that too.”

“What?”

“I’ll cook the two of you a romantic meal for two, and you can discuss it over dinner.”

My brow crumples. “For two?”