Page 9 of More Than We Know

“Of course.”

“Do you still have feelings for her?”

Sarah turns toward me with a furrowed brow and rests her hand on my thigh. “Quentin, I loveyou. I don’t want anyone else.”

We’ve never involved another person in our relationship, sexual or otherwise, but something about this situation has me wondering whether it might be good for Sarah to talk to Kat about all of this. I also can’t deny that I enjoyed Kat’s company immensely as well.

“I know you love me, and I love you. But you know that’s not what I asked.” I give her a small, encouraging smile, just enough to let her know that it’s okay to admit what she’s feeling. This is uncharted territory for us, and even though I can see right through her, I need her to be honest with me. Half-truths and hidden feelings are worse than the simple truth, no matter how difficult it may be to admit.

“I don’t know what to say…”

“Just be honest with me.” I keep my voice soft and reassuring. This isn’t an accusation, not even remotely. If anything, it’s a relief. I’d seen the way she looked at Kat, the way her body reacted at just the sight of her. A part of me had been bracing for her to outright deny it, and that would’ve worried me more.

“I guess I might still have some unresolved feelings.” Her gaze drops.

I lift her chin with my finger. “Look at me,” I say. “It’sokay. And honestly? I think it might be good for you to work through those feelings.”

Her brow furrows. “Work through them how?”

This isn’t how I had planned this conversation going, but as soon as the thought enters my mind, it feels right. So, I say it. “Talk to her. And if you want to, I’d be okay with you exploring whatever it is you feel for her.”

I watch Sarah carefully as she processes my words. Her fingers tighten against my thigh, her lips parting like she wants to say something but doesn’t quite know what. “You’re saying… you’d be okay with me exploring what I feel for Kat? You’re okay with me wanting—” She cuts herself off, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what I want.”

“That’s the thing,” I say. “You don’t have to know right now. There’s no pressure. But if you do want to figure it out, I’m okay with that.”

Sarah looks at me like she’s waiting for the catch. She’s expecting me to backtrack, to claim that I misspoke, but I don’t. Because, even to my own surprise, I mean every word of it.

“Are you sure?”

Squeezing her hand, I say, “Do you remember what you said at the club, when you challenged me to flirt with Kat before knowing it was her?”

She shakes her head. “You said you felt secure enough in our relationship that me flirting with another woman wouldn’t worry you. And while what we’re discussing might be more than flirting, the same rules apply. I know you’re mine no matter what.”

A trace of a smile pulls at her lips, but it quickly fades. She’s conflicted, and I can’t blame her. This isn’t exactly a typical conversation for a married couple to have. But then again, who am I to say what’s normal? It’s not like people go around broadcasting their relationship dynamics in cases like this.

“I love you,” she says. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I love you too. And you won’t, as long as you’re open and honest with me.”

She stares at me, searching my face for any sign of doubt or resentment. I let her look, because there’s nothing to find. I’m not worried about this. If anything, I feel relieved. Because if she’s been repressing this for years, if a part of her has been aching for something she thought she could never have, I don’t want to be the one keeping her from it.

Finally, she exhales. “I don’t even know what I would say to her.”

I shrug. “Just talk to her, catch up with her. You don’t have to jump into anything heavy at first.”

“I guess that’s true. Okay,” she says with finality, as if her decision has been made. “I’ll text her and see if she’ll get coffee with me.”

“Good.”

She leans forward and kisses me softly, and it feels like gratitude. For the first time today, the tension in her shoulders eases as she lets out a slow breath.

“Thank you,” is all she says, and I can hear all the unspoken words hiding beneath those two.

CHAPTER 6

KAT

Sarah has always been my weakness.