Page 76 of Toy for the Teachers (Forbidden Fantasies)

I even noticed a twitch of a smile on Warren’s face, but he hid it well behind another bite of potatoes.

“Are there any others?” Vlad then asked.

“Well, you all know who I’m dating,” I answered. “I think it would be fair enough if you disclosed to me if you began seeing someone else.”

Caleb spoke up, “Like Vlad said, I can’t imagine wanting another woman. You’re more than enough for me, angel, but your request is duly noted.”

Vlad nodded as he chewed more of his dinner, and it seemed there was no more left to say.

“That’s it?” Warren wondered curiously. “Look, I’m not trying to be devil’s advocate here, but you’re young, Millie. What if you decide you want a baby in a few years?”

“I’m pretty positive you don’t need to be in any kind of relationship to make a baby,” I offered jokingly. “Warren, I think you might be overthinking this.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“This kind of relationship is about removing pressure from each other,” I explained. “What I have with Caleb versus what I have with Vlad are very different, but they make us all happy. We’re all okay with it, and I know how to make time for each of them. You know I like being with you. I don’t want to make you feel any kind of pressure, but if you’re ready to explore this, I’m here. I’m ready.”

“So, are you?” Caleb wondered.

Warren took another long drink from his glass. None of us wanted to stare at him, but there seemed to be few other places to look. Vlad finished his carrots. Caleb sipped his water. Still, we were all waiting with bated breath.

“I-I guess I am,” Warren declared at long last.

A swell of delight flourishing inside me. “You are?”

“Yeah,” he nodded slowly, his face relaxing into a small smile. “I’m ready.”

It was as if a wave of relief washed over all of us. After that, it was easy to settle into lighter conversation. We talked over coffee as Warren’s classical piano music played. All academics, the three men could share similar stories of the pitfalls of university bureaucracy, and Caleb and Warren were happy to tell Vlad more about their triathlon training days. As I sat on the long-tufted couch between Warren and Vlad, my faith in this relationship grew with every passing minute. Time could slip by with ease, and everything would be all right.

“I’ll take this to the kitchen,” Caleb declared as he picked up the coffee tray.

All our silver-rimmed cups were empty, and the final dregs of the coffee had long gone cold. With a wink my way, Caleb stood to his full height and strode into the kitchen. Vlad checked the time.

“I guess I should be going,” he realized. “I have to go to church with my mother in the morning.”

“I didn’t realize you were religious,” Warren commented casually.

Vlad stood, fixing the sleeves of his suit jacket. His expression shifted into a pouting glower.

“I’m not particularly,” Vlad offered with a sigh. “Another cousin had a baby. That means another baptism.”

Warren chuckled. “Oh, I get it.”

Then, as he turned, Vlad didn’t hesitate to kiss me fully on the mouth. My lips gently parted, and I could taste the traces of black coffee that lingered there.

“I’ll call you tomorrow evening,” he stated before letting his gloomy look soften into a smile.

“I look forward to it.”

Thanking Warren for dinner, Vlad bid us all a good night and let himself out. It wasn’t much longer that Caleb came out of the kitchen. The gray sleeves of his sweater were pushed up to his elbows, and an understanding look echoed in his eyes.

“I guess I should be going too then,” he remarked.

“Are you taking her home, then?” Warren asked.

Had the wine gone to his head? Did he really not get it?

Caleb chuckled. “No, I’m not.”

---