Page 103 of Three Bossy Boyfriends
If someone told me that their boyfriend was thinking about and wanting another person the way Evan and I are thinking about and wanting Finley, I’d probably tell them there was something wrong with their relationship. That would make sense.
But that’s not how this feels. This just feels like we’re building our relationship and we’re just missing a piece.
“No, I don’t want just brunch,” Evan admits after a moment.
I turn toward him so I can see his eyes clearly. “Whatdoyou want? If you could have anything from Finley?”
He doesn’t respond.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, leaning in and kissing him. I cup the back of his neck and pull back. “I’m falling for her too.”
His eyes widen slightly, but then he smiles slowly. “You are?”
“Of course. I’m around her every day, remember?”
He nods, then puts his forehead against mine. “Tucker’s in love with her.”
“Well, it was just a joke at karaoke.”
Evan pulls back and shakes his head. “I’m not talking about karaoke.”
Finally, I sit back and sigh. “I know. I saw it too.”
“How do you feel about it?”
Well, that’s complicated. “Honestly?” I ask.
“Yes. Definitely.”
“I’m jealous as hell.”
He nods.
“But,” I go on. “I also think they’re probably great together. And I don’t just mean sexually, though that too.” I shrug. “Tucker is different from you and I. She’s a peer and a friend with you. You share an interest in the law, but you’ve also got cultural and social things in common. You’re friends. You make her laugh. You even flirt with her differently than I do. She and I share a professional passion. A mutual respect. I can push her intellectually. But she’s also a brat with me, in a naughty, flirtatious way. It’s not serious. With Tucker…” I think about my explanation for a moment. “He can push her in different ways than you and I do. It’s emotional more than intellectual and comes from knowing each other for so long, having friends and family and the town in common. And when she pushes back with him, it’s not playful, but it’s passionate. But I think that’s good.I make her think, you make her laugh, and Tucker makes herfeel.”
Evan frowns. “I want to make her feel things.”
“Me too. I want her to feel safe, and cherished, and happy.”
“You don’t think Tucker wants those things?”
“I think Tucker wants her to feel…real. In a way she’s been afraid to be. He wants her to feel protected when she’s like that too. He wants to get past those walls of hers, and he won’t be patient about it the way we will.”
“And that’s probably good for her,” Evan says thoughtfully.
“I think it’s good for her,too,” I say, emphasizing that last word.
“What do you mean?”
“I think we’re all good for her. I think she needs all of us. Finley is a complicated woman. She’s got a lot of layers. Each of us is good for a different part of her.” I take a breath and blow it out. “I think she needs all three of us.”
Evan’s brows rise. “What are you saying, Christopher?”
“I think all three of us should date her.”
“Oh.” He seems surprised, but then it’s clear he’s considering my suggestion. “I guess we could?—”
“At the same time.”
