"And what about James?" I ask. The name tastes bitter on my tongue.
"He said he’d try if you two agree."
Alex chuckles, shaking his head. "This is insane."
"No kidding," I mutter. But the idea of having her again... It's like a live wire in my brain, sparking and crackling.
The ultimatum hits me hard, making me realize that all this time, I’ve been convincing myself that things between us could stay casual, that we could keep it strictly physical. But hearing her say she has feelings for all of us, that she wants this complicated arrangement to work, makes me also realize I’ve been fooling myself.
I turn to Alex again, lifting an eyebrow in question. He meets my gaze, there’s doubt, confusion, but also a flicker of something else—hope? Maybe he’s as messed up by this as I am. Still, he nods slowly, giving me the go-ahead.
I turn back to Bianca. “Okay,” I say, my voice steady. “We’ll do it.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, then soften with relief. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Alex adds, leaning forward. “Or we'll try at least."
A small smile tugs at her lips. “I can handle that.”
The tension in the air eases slightly as we all take a moment to absorb what just happened. The café’s ambient noise seeps back into focus—the clinking of dishes, the hum of conversations around us.
“So,” Bianca says after a beat, her voice lighter now, “does this mean I’m not fired?”
Alex chuckles. “Not yet.”
I shake my head at him but can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “You’re not off the hook that easily.”
She laughs softly, the sound easing some of the tightness in my chest. This isn’t going to be easy—hell, it might blow up in our faces—but for now it seems we’re on the right track.
“Alright,” Bianca says, her eyes steady on mine. “You’re sure?”
“Yup,” Alex replies, leaning back in his chair. I nod, even though I'm not fucking sure at all.
She nods. “Okay, well thanks for... being open to this.”
“Don’t thank us yet,” I mutter, still processing the whole situation.
Alex shakes his head, a grin spreading across his face.
The tension at breakfast shifts to a strange kind of relief. Bianca’s shoulders relax, and she finally picks up her fork to finish her pancakes. But while she’s visibly easing, my mind is anything but. What the hell did we just agree to? This has disaster written all over it.
Alex leans back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table. “So, Bia, what’s your next move?”
She shrugs, her smile tentative. “I guess I’ll talk to James and let him know you guys are on board, and then the four of us can set up a date.”
“And how do you think he’ll take it?” I ask, unable to mask my skepticism.
She bites her lip, considering. “I think he’ll be okay with it. He said he would try.”
Alex snorts. “Try being the key word.”
Bianca rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue. She knows as well as we do that this is a powder keg waiting for a spark.
“Alright,” Alex says, standing up and stretching. “I’ve got to get going. Meetings won’t attend themselves.”
“Yeah, me too,” I add, not looking forward to the day ahead.
Bianca stands as well, gathering her things. “Thanks for listening, guys.”