Page 65 of Various Intentions

“You don’t know?”

“Daphne, it doesn’t have anything to do with how I feel about them. It has to do with how I feel about the whole idea of marriage.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Because of the person I am, I don’t want to be trapped in a role I’m not comfortable with. What’s wrong with fully committing to someone without getting married?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all,” Daphne said. “But I think I want to marry Alexander.”

I thought about it and tried not to let my own feelings about marriage affect my answer.

“Daphne, I’m really happy for you. If you think Alexander’s the one for you, that’s fantastic.”

She sighed with relief. “Thank you.”

“I’m content with the way things are between me and Vincent and Matteo. I don’t feel like we need a ceremony to prove our feelings for each other. To be honest, we’ve never discussed it, since a legal marriage between the three of us is out of the question,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. Anyway, when’s the big day for you and Alexander?”

“We’re planning a small ceremony and reception in the spring…probably May, maybe June. We’re still working out the details. It won’t be a traditional wedding.”

“You don’t say?” I laughed. “I’m thrilled for you, Daf. Really.”

“Do you think Sparky would be our flower boy slash ring bearer?”

“I think he’d be delighted.”

“Oh, Nic, I can’t believe my life right now. I feel like Cinderella or some fucking thing. I don’t even know.” She laughed.

It was fantastic to see her so happy.

“Well, you definitely sound like you’re in love. Congratulations.”

She squealed. “Thank you! Can you have Vincent and Matteo call me when they get home so I can tell them? Don’t ruin the surprise.”

Well, I didn’t ruin it. All I told them was that Daphne had an announcement.

I think Vincent thought she was pregnant. His eyes got big as saucers, and he opened his mouth to ask.

“Not that. Holy Christ, Vincent. Daphne with a baby? Can you picture it?”

He smiled and shrugged. “You never know.”

“Anyway, just call her—before you guess and ruin her surprise.”

I heard them talking to her on speaker phone and lots of laughter and congratulations. Afterward they told me she’d spoken to Taylor, and he had agreed to be her flower boy.

As we got ready for bed that night, stripping to what we normally wore beneath the sheets—nothing for Vincent, boxer briefs for Matteo and a T-shirt for me—I cleared my throat and opened a can of worms.

“Um, crazy question for you guys. Marriage. What do we think about it?” I pretended it was merely a philosophical inquiry.

Vincent stared at me. “Um, what?”

Matteo stared at me thoughtfully. “Marriage can be…complicated.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I have a lot of not-so-great associations with it, like gender roles and societal expectations.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t think it’s an option for me.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t right for Daphne and Alexander,” Matteo said diplomatically.

“Oh, I know,” I said. “I’m happy for her. I hope it works out.”