Page 67 of Stranded

“Me?” He nods. “Like… how?”

“We want to be with you.” I lick my lips as I try to make sense of his words, but a lack of socialization and dating since I was thirteen has me confusing everything he says.

“Kingsley, you need to spell it out for me.”

“We want to date you, Tink,” Bower says. I stare at him with my mouth parted in surprise. I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but that wasn’t it.

Before I can respond, my mind catches on something, and my eyes widen. “Wait—all three of you?”

“You don’t have to choose right now,” Weston says as my heart starts to beat faster in panic. Choose one? That’s impossible.

I shake my head at the mere thought of having to choose, having to reject two of them sends a wave of panic through me. Minutes ago I’d thought they were rejecting me but this somehow feels worse.

“You aren't obligated to choose any of us, Zee,” Kingsley says, giving my hand a small squeeze of reassurance. “Whether you like us like that or not, there’s no pressure, okay? We’re not forcing you to pick any of us. Do you understand?”

I nod my head slowly, but he doesn’t understand my dilemma. It’s not that I don’t know who to choose, or that I need more time. It’s simple that I don’twantto choose one… ever. I want them all.

Does that make me greedy? Probably.

Is it completely unrealistic? Definitely.

But my heart doesn’t seem to care.

I lift my eyes and let myself look at each of them. I can see none of them are going to push me into anything I’m not ready for. I also don’t want them pulling back from me. Having a busted ankle meant I was going to be spending a lot of time with them in close quarters, and I didn’t want it to feel as awkward as it did last time I was stuck in this hut with them.

They might be stuck on this island with me for a long time, and so far they have been completely honest with me, have kept me safe and shown that they care about me. It seems only fair that I return the favor.

“I don’t want to choose,” I say quietly, refusing to drop my eyes as they bounce between them. I see a flicker of confusion on their faces before they seem to mask it and give me small smiles of reassurance.

“That’s perfectly fine—”

“No.” I shake my head, cutting Kingsley off. “You don’t understand. I like all three of you, a lot. As more than… friends. I won’t ever be able to choose between you.”

There. I said it, I told them the truth.

They exchange glances as they seem to have some sort of silent conversation. Bower and Kingsley nod, then Weston turns to me, his expression serious as he asks, “What if you don’t have to?”

“What… what do you mean?” I ask in confusion, my heart pounding heavily in my chest.

“It works for Coco, doesn’t it?” Weston asks with a smirk. I open my mouth to respond but nothing comes out, so I snap it shut as my eyes bounce between them. They all watch me with varying degrees of hope.

All three of them? I mean, it’s a dream come true in many ways, but I didn’t expect them to say that. I don’t think I can start a relationship with anyone without telling them what they’re getting themselves in for.

When I’m silent for a while, lost in thought, Kingsley lightly shakes my hand, getting my attention. “Zee? What do you think?”

“I think I need to tell you guys some things before you decide you want to… date me.”

“We’d love to hear everything about you, but nothing you say will sway me,” Bower says, a grin on his handsome face.

“Me either,” Kingsley adds.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Weston says, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he waits for me to speak. But that just reminds me that theyaregoing somewhere. They’re hoping to be rescued and when that happens, I’ll be left here alone… again.

But what if it’s another fifteen years before they’re rescued? Nothing’s guaranteed here, so what’s the harm in enjoying life a little before it all inevitably comes to an end?

“Do you want us to ask you questions again? Is that easier for you?” He asks when I don’t speak. I’m grateful for the suggestion and nod my head.

“Were you in a plane crash?” Bower asks, and I nod.

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