Page 113 of Perfect Three

Sebastian parked the car, and the three of them walked cheerfully into the house with the two men carrying a present for each of the twins.

Allison was walking through the house with a handful of paper plates when she saw them, Geoffrey trailing behind.She stopped, looking stunned.She grabbed Lucy, dragging her into the living room while the men went off to speak with Geoffrey.

“What are they doing here?”she hissed.

“Sorry?”Lucy cocked her head, confused.“You invited us.”

“No, I invitedyou.The invitation just said your name.”

“I don’t get it, Allison.What does it matter?”

“I don’t want people to see them.”

Lucy looked at her daughter in puzzlement.“I don’t understand.They’ve been here plenty of times before.We’re all together most weeks for Thursday dinner.What’s going on?”

“That was just us.Do you think I want my friends to know that my mother is with two men?”Allison’s voice got louder and higher.“How do you think that will make me feel?”

“It shouldn’t bother you at all.I’m the one with two men, not you.”

“It’s wrong.You know it and so do I.”

“There’s nothing wrong with it, Allison.I’m fifty-five in a couple of months, not some silly teenager.I have two men who love me dearly.Not to mention they’re both drop-dead gorgeous.I bet a lot of your damn friends will be envious.”

“They won’t be because I won’t have them here.”

“So you expect us to leave just because you’re ashamed of my boyfriends and lifestyle?”

“You can stay, but I won’t have them in the house while my friends are here.”

“Sorry, Allison, but I won’t be staying if that’s your attitude.I’ll call in on Thursday and wish the twins happy birthday.”

“You’re choosing them over the twins?”

“No.I’m choosing to not make a scene.I’m choosing to leave with two men who I love dearly.Instead, I will see my grandchildren on their birthday.”

“I’m so sick of this!I’m sick of you acting like there’s nothing disgusting about having sex with two men at once!If you want to live like this, fine, but I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Allison!”

“I mean it.You can go on living this perverted way, but don’t expect to have us in your life anymore.”

“What?”Lucy stared at Allison, bewildered by her words.“I don’t understand.What on earth do you mean?”

“I mean if you want to live with two men and carry on some sick lifestyle, then do it, but you won’t be seeing us, seeing your grandchildren ever again!”

Blood left her face and she swayed as Allison spoke.Devastated, Lucy could only manage a strangled whisper, “You can’t mean that, Allison!”

“I do.When you come to your senses, you’ll see I’m right.It’s sick.You’re sick.”She screamed at Lucy.“You’re depraved for even wanting it!”

“Allison!”Allison’s hurtful words shocked Lucy.“Please, you can’t stop me from seeing my grandchildren!”She pleaded.“Please stop being so dramatic, Allison!”

“I’m not stopping you from seeing them.You can see them anytime you like as long as you’re no longer withthem!”

Tears poured down Lucy’s cheeks.She was appalled by the terrible choice Allison had given her.“You want me tochoose?”She stumbled over the word.“You want me to choose between my grandchildren and the two men I love and who love me!”

“Yes.”

Lucy sank onto a nearby chair, her face buried in her hands, weeping.How could Allison do this to her?

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