Page 3 of Unchartered Curves

But it wasn’t our book discussions that I was remembering. Gill brought up dating someone together, something we’d talked about more and more recently.

“I really think we should do it. We’d be a family,” Gill said. “Our detectives in the books are brothers, and I feel like you’re one of my brothers.”

“I feel the same, man, but where would we find a woman who would accept that?”

I knew Anisa had gone to Hopeton University. The area town was known for having all sorts of polyamory arrangements. But if she was talking about a single ex, she might not be interested.

Or maybe she hadn’t met the right pair of guys yet.

We talked for a while, then agreed to have dinner together at the Golden Sunset Sushi Bar

“I can’t remember the last time I had sushi,” she said as Gill held out her chair. I handed her a menu.

“We get some things automatically here, right?” Anisa bit her lip.

We’d opted for that plan for the trip, too, as there were always too many choices for dining. I thought that would help us with meals like this one. We could easily treat her, but I didn’t want to push it with her.

“Tell us about your work,” I said. “I remember you worked at a non-profit, correct?”

“That’s right. I do the marketing,” she said, smiling. “I love the people but will likely have to find something better paying if I’m going to stay in my Hopeton condo and pay for my grad school loans. I might be able to pick up some more social media marketing gigs. I did that freelance a little when I had time.”We had a virtual assistant who was quitting in three months, who marketed our books.

I met Gill’s gaze, and he nodded slightly. But it wasn’t social media marketing exclusively that I wanted from Anisa.

My gaze was drawn to her lips, especially as she expertly used chopsticks to eat her sushi. I wanted her.

“I’m going to gain five pounds on this ship!” Anisa said as we walked out.

“It will be worth it. Want to go for a walk on the deck?” I asked, not wanting the night to end.

I caught a flash of Gill’s teeth as he grinned. He knew that I didn’t always take the initiative, and liked to move slowly, but I also knew what I wanted.

“It is so lovely up here. I think I could sleep up here!” Anisa said, her hair blowing back behind her.

I loved how she was enjoying everything, from the food to the scenery. I wish I could take a picture of her closing her eyesagainst the slight breeze from the ocean, her lovely face and lush body pressed against the railing.

“I’ll bet we could,” I said, gesturing towards some of the lounge chairs, where others were stretched out.

“Not sure my old back could take that,” Gill said.

I wondered how much older we were than her. Maybe ten years? She seemed mature, though. I couldn’t remember the last date I’d had, but I was already having more fun than the women I met on a dating app.

Anisa laughed. “Nor mine, either. I think I’m permanently hunched over from working over a computer than doing my papers and projects for class.”

We were standing on either side of her. I had a sense that we would be here like this again.

Chapter three

Anisa

Maybe I’d lived in Hopeton too long, but I was attracted to both guys. I used to think they were cute when I was in their classes. I pictured myself going to kiss Duane, then Gill. I nearly laughed out loud. My hand bumped Duane’s on the railing, and I swear I felt a spark of electricity between us. All of us.

Clearly the beautiful night and the drinks were going to my head. Except I’d only had that glass of champagne. I thought maybe it was the company.

“What made you two take this trip?” Suddenly, I wanted to know.

I could feel them glance at each other over my head. I was a curvy 5’3”, so I’d gotten used to people looking over my head my entire life.

“We were getting burned out,” Duane said.

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