Page 34 of Crimson Vows

“Or so they say,” Gia answers with just as much bite. “But it’s not for everyone.”

“Cheers to that,” I say, raising my glass as a smile fights its way onto my lips despite the mess of emotions inside me.

Dante claps his hands together, the picture of mischief, as he looks around at all of us. “This is fucking amazing to watch. And hey, if you two are willing to be so open, I guess I can share something too.”

Nico raises an eyebrow, a silent question passing between us before he gestures for Dante to continue. Gia sets down the salad bowl with a curious yet guarded expression.

Dante takes a deep breath as if psyching himself up before he speaks. “I’m trying to take a page out of my boy, Nico’s book and embrace who I am. So you know how Nico here is polyamorous and has been navigating that whole territory? Well, turns out I’ve been exploring some things about myself as well.”

“You figured out you’re a douchebag,” Gia says, and once again, everyone in the room is laughing.

“Touché,” Dante replies before wincing and looking at Nico, adding, “I see why you like her.”

“I told you that she’s pretty great,” Nico confirms, and his words cause something uncomfortable to stir deep inside me.

“But no,” Dante continues. “I already knew I was a douchebag. Jesus, I can’t believe I am getting ready to say this, but Nico seems to think shit like this is freeing, isn’t that right?”

Nico shrugs in response and seems unsure about what Dante is going to say next.

Dante continues. “Nico has recently helped me discover that I’m actually bisexual.”

The room falls silent as everyone looks around at each other.

Dante clears his throat, breaking the silence that hangs heavy over us. “Don’t everyone react at once.”

I meet Dante’s gaze, seeing an uncharacteristic vulnerability in his eyes. Despite the lighthearted banter and laughter moments ago, this confession reveals a deeper need in him. One I have only recently come to understand. A need for acceptance.

“When you stormed in on my date with Nico this morning at the restaurant, I kind of figured things out,” Gia remarks, and the tension lifts.

“Well, it was a surprise to me,” I admit.

“Kind of like Gia being allowed to date other men, but you aren’t allowed to date other women,” Dante taunts.

“And there’s the douchebag I was talking about,” Gia grunts.

He’s right, though. I have no desire to be with any other woman but Gia, so why does she need to seek companionship with other men? “I’ve asked Gia to marry me,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. I don’t know why I announced it to everyone. I just need it out there.

Dante raises an eyebrow at me, his blue eyes sharp with interest. “This is like a fucking reality show...” Dante takes on a reality TV persona and announces in a snobby-sounding voice, “Welcome everyone to another episode of the kitchen confessionals.”

My jaw twitches, but I’m able to force a tight smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

“Is it true?” Nico asks, looking at Gia, and I can tell he is surprised.

Before Gia can answer, Dante blurts out, “Fuck that, did you say yes?”

She looks at Nico and then back at me. “I did,” she admits.

“So let me get this straight,” Dante says as we all watch Gia walk over to the noodles boiling on the stovetop. She removes them and drains them into the strainer in the kitchen sink. “You two are engaged. She’s allowed to date other men, but you’re not allowed to date other women? Does that pretty much sum it up?”

“Apparently so,” I mutter, and the tension simmers like the sauce on the stove.

“I didn’t know the two of you were engaged.” Nico interjects, his eyes fixed on me. “If I had, I would have never—”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I cut him off. “What Gia and I have is between us, and I fully support her decision about other men. Gia values her freedom, and I respect that. It doesn’t bother me what others might think or say, all I care about is her happiness.” Part of what I said was true. I care about her happiness, but I wonder if anyone else can see I’m unsure about the other men part.

Dante breaks the silence by clapping his hands together once more. “Well, that’s a twist I didn’t see coming!”

“Who would have thought our little dinner gathering would turn into this?” Nico muses. “Why don’t Dante and I start taking the food to the table?” Nico offers, and I seize the moment to pull Gia into the hallway.

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