Page 64 of Van Cort

Admitting that I loved them was what I needed to do. It made it real, outside of the three of us. She didn’t understand, and she was my barometer for how others might see our relationship. And led to more questions to Everett, but the letters morphed into messages.

How am I meant to marry both of you? Do we pretend?

His reply was instant. Which, considering his schedule, showed me he meant what he said in his second letter.

Unless there’s a law I can get passed through Congress, quickly, I suppose, in the eyes of the law, yes. I do have a few favours owed, though.

A few minutes later, another text dropped from him.

There will be three rings. We will make that make sense, even if it legally doesn’t. Besides, no one in a church would know if it was me or West, or both of us at different times, would they?

Church?

He couldn’t have meant that. Would I want to marry in a church?

And then another came.

It will be me who puts the ring on you, though. Non-negotiable.

None of it helped me understand the logistics, but it did make me smile.

Each word or line from them, either in a letter or in a message, strengthened the image and understanding I had for each of them. The differences became more acute, and those, alongside piecing together their past, were like the missing links to understanding them as two people.

Vancouver was key to that. It was clear that what happened to each of them there was what turned them into the opposite sides of the same coin. Everett’s hope and joy was beaten out of him. West couldn’t have endured the same and still held onto the spark of life that is so infectious in him.

That was a dark part of their past that I didn’t want to cloud our future. Not yet, at least. If we were talking of marriage and weddings, of commitment and family, there would be time for them to tell me their own truths. It was enough for me to know what I’d worked out.

Despite writing and asking questions, I never gave them a direct answer to the one Everett asked of me, nor did they try to propose in the pages they wrote.

I did turn the job offer down. Resigning from the firm gave me the most satisfaction – I’d worked so hard all my life to be seen for my capabilities.

Once they were finally recognised, it set something inside of me free.

Like I’d proved I was good enough, and I could live off that knowledge for years.

Of course, I kept that a secret, too – one I do intend to share with Everett and West, just not yet. Along with my answer to the ornate box in my pocket.

But I have to do this part face-to-face.

A year is a long time, and despite all of the ways they both told me they loved me, it’s still a huge leap I’m making.

The flight eventually lands, and before long, as if a whirlwind took me, I’m back at my place in Seattle.

It seems small somehow. Considering the place I had in New York, I’m not surprised.

But I stand, transfixed by the part of my life that led me to Everett in the first place.

It all seems so long ago, so alien to who I am now and who they are.

Both of them. I can remember Andre picking me up.

The confusion. The strange arrangements that all make sense now.

Sex in the hallway. Sex everywhere. With each of them. Who could forget that?

They’ll both be here soon.

Our first meeting since I left them.

The doorbell sends the butterflies into overdrive, but there’s no need for them.

As I open the door, my heart soars as I see him. Dressed in his immaculate suit, the lines as sharp as ever – as intimidating as ever.

God, I’ve missed him. And I realise I know who it is.

“Where’s West?” I look behind for him, and realise I’m disappointed he’s not here with him.

“I’m not enough?” I tilt my head, confused, but he smirks and waves the comment off. “He’s on his way. He told me to make sure I was on time.”

Only corresponding with one of them at a time has made me forget just how in tune they are with each other. Everett would want to know the situation before having a conversation with all of us.

I smile at him, figuring out how to navigate through this.

If it were West here first, I imagine I’d be swept up into his arms, the classic, like in the movies. But that isn’t Everett. He doesn’t show his love like that, and I have the love letters to prove it.

“Come in.” I brush the gold pendant at my neck as he passes, something that I’ve done more of since being away. Despite the anger I felt when ripping it off and believing I never wanted to see it again, I’m glad - no, relieved - he sent it back to me in one of the letters.

This belongs to you. A literal piece of Van Cort that’s yours. Although you already hold all of it in your heart.

And West thought he wasn’t romantic.

“I have to be out of here in a week,” I start, breaking the ice.

“Where will you go?”

“Well, that kind of depends on you. And West. A year is a long time.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

There’s no grand move to sweep me off my feet as we look at each other. Of course, there isn’t. That’s more of West’s style. There is an unease, though, and I assume that maybe for the first time in his life, Everett isn’t convinced he knows what I’ll say.

A little bit of that power fizzes through my veins and gives me the courage to share with him what I want.

“I want us to live in Vancouver. At your house.” It’s where I fell. It’s their home. And it’s the only place I can see us being who we need to be for each other.

I wait for a response, already feeling guilty that I’m not waiting for West before saying all of this. He gave us this time for a reason, though. Everett must know that, just like I do.

“My work and my business are in Seattle.” His face is harsh, exact, and reminds me of the professional armour he had on when we first dated. It’s not the same man who struggled through proposing in the only place that meant something to him.

I search his eyes, desperate for a trace of the letters he wrote, the words he can find when he needs to. They’re nowhere to be seen, though.

“Then why did you take me there? Why did you let me fall for you there if that was never going to be the endgame for you? The proposal, the letters, everything over the past year, I come home and give you this, and you put your work ahead of our happiness?”

“Are you mad? You seem mad.”

“Well, you’re being defensive, and that’s not what I expected.”

“Defensive? I’m not putting work ahead of our happiness, River. I’m explaining that I’ll need to be here. Often. If you want to be based there permanently then… We’ll make that work. Calm down.” Oh. “Although I must say, I’ve missed the sass. Carry on if you like.”

I snigger to myself. It’s funny. All this time of just reading him rather than seeing him, and I’ve somehow forgotten how intimidating he can be in person. I smile, remembering that I called him chilly. That was the night he proposed. The night I found out. The night that changed everything.

“Okay. Well, that’s what I’d like.”

“So, that’s a yes then?”

He’s not getting that answer until West is here. “How long will West be? Do you want a drink?” I walk to the kitchen, hoping there’s a bottle of wine somewhere, but his hand snatches at my arm to pull me to him.

The familiarity hits home instantly, and I melt into his hold, his arms, his mouth on mine. Oh god, I’ve denied myself this for too long, and within seconds, he’s taking advantage of that and sealing every moment we’ve missed with a ferocity I can barely breathe through.

The doorbell rings, and my head, mouth, and eyes rear back away from him. West. West is here. The other part of him.

I lick my lips, swallowing.

He smiles at me and eases his hold, his reluctance clear, as if he knows he should but doesn’t want to let go yet. One step back, another, and then he turns for the kitchen, hopefully getting the damn wine so I can get some power back again.

Taking a steadying breath, I race for the door. But before answering, I smooth my hair and my trousers, easing the creases Everett’s already put on me, as my nerves flutter to life.

How does that work?

Is it okay to have been touched already? Must be. West said Everett watched us together and, well, that must mean it’s alright the other way round, doesn’t it?

So. Many. Questions.

Still.

As I open the door, West barrels into me, engulfing me in a hug that threatens to suffocate me.

“He’s here. So, what’s your answer?” sounds behind us.

West lets me go but winds his hand into mine. “Seriously, Rhett? Let me in the door.”

“I nearly didn’t. I was getting engrossed in beauty.” West instantly looks back at me, and I tuck my hair behind my ear, blushing.

“Really? Screw you.”

Everett chuckles in response and pours two glasses of wine to hand one to each of us. “Patience is not my forte. It’s been a challenging year.”

“No Shit.”

I scowl at Everett. “Okay. Okay.” There’s going to be tension from all of us, and we’re going to have a lot of time to figure out the minutiae of each other.

Leading them both back into the front room, I take a seat, or more like perch, on the edge of the chair.

Neither of them sits; they stay standing.

I’ve imagined what I’d say so many times, but now that it’s here, the fear threatens. But then I think of what my mom said last year, about grabbing hold of what you want and not letting go.

I want Everett. And I want West.

“Will you ask me again?” I hand the box to West as I look to Everett.

They glance at each other, and Everett steps forward. “Will you marry me? Us?”

No elaboration, no embellishments, to the point.

And I can’t help but smile this time.

West takes the diamond and emerald ring from its case. He seems like a little starstruck by it. “I’ve never seen this,” he says quietly.

I look to Everett, a little confused.

“It was hidden from us,” he clarifies. “All things you’ll find out soon, River, but not now. West?”

His head snaps back to me, a soft smile on his lips as he comes closer and offers the ring.

“Marry us, Andie.” He waits for my hand, which I gladly give, and slips it on my ring finger.

“I will.”