Page 67 of Me Three
“We need plenty of space for what’s after. And no one said this is the only dessert,” I say.
Tru’s eyebrow quirks up, and they look from one to the other, but neither Carter or I are giving away the goods just yet.
“Okay then. I’ll hold the verdict until tomorrow morning,” they say.
Of course we let them have the last piece and then move them over to the couch, and Carter serves the chopping block of chocolate-covered strawberries that’s been chilling in the fridge.
“Wow, you guys have got me curious now. What’s with all these little touches?” they ask, taking a crunchy bite of a strawberry.
“ItisValentine’s day,” Carter says.
“Is that all it is?” they ask.
“Well,” I say. “There’s something else of course.”
I should have seen Tru sensing there was something else about tonight. They’re so intuitive, it’s scary. But I still don’t understand how they know there’s more to tonight than just V-day.
“I’m all ears,” they say and tuck a non-existent lock of hair behind their ear.
“We had something to ask you,” Carter says.
“It’s got to do with something that came up during dinner, actually,” I add.
Tru’s eyes narrow and they look from left to right, from Carter to me.
“You guys are worrying me,” they say.
“No. Nothing to worry about,” I say and rub their knee.
“Yeah. Nothing to worry about. It’s just… dating isn’t right,” Carter says, reaching for Tru’s other knee.
“That doesn’t sound better, idiot,” I tell him, and Tru laughs, but I can see the unease in their eyes. “We don’t think dating cuts what we’re feeling is what he was trying to say.”
“And we don’t want you to feel like a third wheel.” Carter nods.
“Which is why we wanted to ask you if you’d like to be… our partner,” I say.
“Partner? Gosh, we’re not going into business with them. Obviously you can tell us what term you prefer, but we want you to be our boyfriend/girlfriend,” Carter says.
Tru takes a deep breath, and their body immediately relaxes against my own.
“Aw, you guys!” they say. “You really,reallyhad me worried there for a second.”
“Sorry,” Carter says.
“It’s okay, sweetie. You made up for it. I would love to be your significant third.” They grimace and pause a second. “Yeah. That sounds good to me.”
“Our better third, more like,” I say.
“Partner is okay, too,” they add.
Carter reaches with a hand and turns their head to him and kisses Tru.
“I’m so happy you want to go on this crazy adventure with us,” he says.
“Are you kidding? I’ve been dying for this since I met you guys. And I don’t even know why. I’ve never felt poly before, but I’ve wanted both of you since that first night. I just… I can’t believe my luck. I get both of you, and you get to be with the man you love and me.”
Carter’s smile grows wider, and I lean over Tru to give him a kiss, too. Tru doesn’t miss a chance to lick both our lips, and I deepen my kiss with Carter, making space for Tru to join in.
