Page 7 of Angel's Forever

“Come in first. There’s no need to stand outside, and you can still use your key. Nothing has changed.”

He turned his eyes to the floor. For him, the same as Nico, the whole world had changed, and neither of them thought it was for the better.

“Gino, that’s why you’re here. So we can all talk like adults. Nico was a little upset when he came home. He’s upstairs talking to Hudson now. I was just going to get them. I’ll make you a coffee first, though.”

We started to walk toward the kitchen when I saw Hudson and Nico coming down the stairs. Gino froze next to me, as if he was waiting for Hudson to fly at him in a rage. I was just about to say something to try to ease the situation when Hudson spoke.

“Hey, Gino. Thanks for coming up. Do you want a drink?”

Gino relaxed slightly, but was still hesitant.

I placed my hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Gino. Nico has told us everything, if that is what you’re worried about.”

He looked from me and over to Nico and Hudson. Nico smiled and gave him a nod as if confirming what I had said.

Finally, he spoke. “I’ll just have a coffee for the moment. Not sure if any more alcohol will help the situation.”

With that, Hudson actually started to chuckle. “Probably not. Come on. I believe Gaby has cooked all by herself this evening. Hopefully we won’t get food poisoning.”

He walked past me as he said the last bit, and I slapped him, causing even more laughter from everyone. For once, it was Hudson trying to remove the atmosphere around us and not me. However, I wasn’t sure that I really appreciated the way he’d done it.

I followed them all into the kitchen and placed the bread and salad on the table. Just as I was about to get the pasta bake out of the oven, Hudson walked over to me and pressed a kiss on my cheek.

“You know I love your cooking and we won’t be poisoned. Might be a different situation if it was me.”

I placed the dish of pasta on the table and went to make Gino a coffee. “Did anyone else want coffee, or are you happy with wine?”

I turned around to find both Nico and Hudson with glasses in their hands. I scowled at the pair of them, and they gave me looks like little boys who had just been caught by their mother.

“Just make sure to pour me a small glass as well before the pair of you decide to finish both bottles I got out.”

Gino picked up the bottle of white wine and poured me a glass. They all knew I didn’t like red wine. I smiled at him and mouthed the words thank you, then continued to make his coffee. I placed it in front of him and then sat down.

“Go on, don’t let it get cold. I’m sure you don’t need me to be your mom.”

I sat there as everyone helped themselves to food and then placed some on my own plate. I had to admit that I wasn’t really that hungry. I was worried how this evening was going to go. Would we all just sit here in silence, waiting for someone to talk about what had happened today?

I shouldn’t have worried too much though, because although the conversation was a little fraught, we continued as though it was a normal evening and enjoyed our meal together. When we had all finished, Gino insisted on helping me clear things away, even though he was our guest. I guessed he was just worried about being alone in a room with Hudson, as Nico would usually have been the one to help.

When we had cleared everything away, we joined Hudson and Nico in the living room. To my surprise, they had sat on different couches. I decided to sit next to Hudson to be his calming influence, and because I was sure Gino wouldn’t want to sit there. Gino chose to sit in the chair that was adjacent to me. Part of me had hoped he would sit next to Nico, but I could understand why he may have felt uncomfortable about that.

Hudson was the first to say something. “Gino, first please do not think I am going to get angry with you, because I’m not. Nico told us everything that happened this afternoon, including the fact that you kissed. He also said it was you to stop it to bring him to his senses.”

He looked over at Nico, who just shrugged his shoulders. I knew that they hadn’t finished that discussion, but at least it seemed as if all was good between them.

“As you know, the three of us are in an exclusive relationship with each other. However, that’s not to say that we wouldn’t have anyone else join that relationship, which is the reason I asked Nico to ask you to come tonight.”

I could see that Gino was still worried, but I hoped he would at least consider what we had to say before he went off to Sicily.

“Nico also told us how you felt about him and Gaby, which we have all suspected for some time. None of us here, me included, wants to see you unhappy or feel you have to leave because of it. Therefore, we are suggesting that you consider becoming part of our family and enjoy a relationship with us.”

I could see Gino sitting there considering what Hudson had said, not really knowing what to say. I guessed it was a lot to take in; I knew how it had felt for me at first, considering the idea of sharing Nico and Hudson, so I could understand how he must have felt right then.

I decided to ask him. “Gino, do you realize what we are suggesting? We want you to be a part of our exclusive relationship.”

Gino looked up at me.

“Yes, but I’m not sure how we could make it work. For starters, I’m sure that Hudson has no feelings toward me.” He let out a nervous laugh as he said it.

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