Page 147 of Neighbors With Benefits

Only when Karen Dermatt came up and put a hand on their back did I realize who it was. “Howard?”

“Do you like my costume?” he asked. “I’m a ghost.”

“It’s a classic,” I said, glancing at Karen. “You’re outside your house!”

“Dante invited us,” Karen explained. “And he gave Howard a nice little green gummy candy to calm him down.”

“It tasted weird,” Howard said, “but I feel calmer, now. Especially now that I’m inside. Crossing the street was the tough part. Everything outside is soopen.”

I glanced at Dante, who was watching us from across the room. He smiled evilly and raised his pitchfork in my direction.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” I said, giving Howard a little pat on the arm. He recoiled slightly, so I put my hand back down. “We have plenty of food and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Aiden is running the bar.”

“Let’s go get some strong drinks,” Karen said, guiding Howard away. “We aren’t driving!”

One of our other neighbors, Jamie the mechanic, sidled up to me. “Did I just hear Karen make a joke?”

“I think so,” I replied. “I’m just as surprised.”

“She’s lightened up since you moved onto the street,” he said. “Thanks for that.”

“I wasn’t trying, but you’re welcome,” I said.

Jamie cleared his throat. “And. Uh. If I’m not overstepping… you and the boys seem real nice together.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we’ve all kind of heard about… your relationship,” he said. He was staring intently at his drink. “I just wanted to say you guys don’t need to hide it. Or tiptoe around or whatever. Everyone knows, and thinks it’s fine.” He shook his head. “No, not fine. It’s better than that. It seems really great. You make agood couple. I mean. You make a good couple with each of them. You make a good foursome. Shit. I didn’t mean it like that…”

I stared at Jamie with surprise. He and I had only had a handful of conversations; we didn’t know each other well at all. And here he was, complimenting my weird polyamorous relationship and saying that everyone approved.

I looked around the room at my neighbors. All of them knew? And they were still here?

We weren’t pariahs. We were accepted for who we were.

Without thinking, I hugged Jamie.

“Uh,” he grunted. “What’s that for?”

“I’m just really happy. I needed to hear what you just said.”

“Okay. Yeah. Great,” he said awkwardly. “But, um, I don’t want to join you… whatever it is. I’m a happily married man. Just the two of us.”

I laughed to myself. I guess they wouldsometimesbe weird about it.

But they accepted us with the best of intentions, and that made all the difference in the world to me.

59

Jazz

Aiden insisted on hosting Thanksgiving. Not only did he love cooking for people, but he wanted to finally introduce me to his mom and sister.

“Are you nervous?” Cat asked me as we walked next door, carrying two dishes. “To meet them?”

“Yes of course I’m nervous!” I hissed at her. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Are you guys going to tell them… everything?” she asked carefully. “Or do they think you and Aiden are a couple? Just the two of you?”

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