Page 75 of Toy for the Teachers (Forbidden Fantasies)

“Okay, everyone,” Warren declared behind us. “Dinner’s ready!”

There hadn’t been much need for me to be worried over any awkwardness. Caleb and Warren were long-time friends. Vladimir was a businessman used to making conversation with anyone. As we settled down at the table adorned with pristine crimson tulips and a white tablecloth, I began to forget why we had even gathered together.

Warren then spoke up at the end of the table.

“I guess you’re all wondering why I asked for this dinner,” he remarked as the small talk began to fade.

“I’ve got some ideas,” Caleb admitted, “but I think it’s best if we hear it from you.”

“Yes,” Vlad agreed. “As they say, we’re all ears.”

I swallowed my bite of carrots and glanced across the table. Warren’s sharp brown eyes were filled with a thousand different thoughts. Whatever concerns he had, I was ready to alleviate them. I only wanted things to be easy between all of us, but if Warren couldn’t handle this unconventional arrangement, I was prepared to accept that.

I just needed to hear his answer first.

Warren took a long drink of his wine before saying. “Millie, I know you asked me to consider this… invitation of yours, and I really have. I tried my best to consider every possibility and outcome.”

“And?” I wondered, hesitant to be too hopeful.

“I don’t have reservations exactly,” he explained, “but I do have some questions.”

“Okay,” I replied.

I thought the questions were going to be for me. Instead, Warren’s eyes shifted to Caleb and Vladimir.

“Are you two honestly comfortable with this?” he wanted to know. “Right now, looking at each other, does it not make you uncomfortable at all?”

“Should it?” Vlad asked between forkfuls of pork.

“I don’t know,” Warren insisted. “That’s my problem. I’m sure you all realize how this goes against everything we’re supposed to expect from a relationship. The idea of being committed to multiple people is something I thought was reserved for Mormons, so I don’t have any foundation on how this is supposed to look or feel.”

Caleb, sitting directly across from Vlad, stared at him for a moment. Sitting beside me, Caleb let his hand drift from his lap into mine, and I began to remember that day in his office before it all went sour. Memories of his arousal after I laid bare my confessions made me think Caleb was more than comfortable with our arrangement.

He was, without question, into it.

“I think it felt different at first, knowing that Millie would check in on Vlad when we were together, but I’m used to it now. It didn’t take away from our time together, and it doesn’t take anything away from what we have.”

“I agree,” Vlad declared. “I was glad Millie could be there when you lost your brother. I didn’t know you well, but no man deserves to be alone in hard times.”

Caleb’s smile brightened. “Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And though I can’t imagine wanting another woman,” Vlad added. “Millie never asks us to be only with her. This is a two-way street.”

“I only want us to be happy,” I admitted. “If we can find happiness together, why not? It doesn’t matter what other people might expect or what the world has told us. The only rules in a relationship are the ones you make.”

“And do you have any rules?”

I sipped my wine and realized, “Uh, no, we hadn’t gotten that far.”

“Would you like some?” Caleb asked, his bright eyes shining my way.

“I guess… I hope you’re being safe. I mean, I have my birth control implant, but I also get tested for STI’s regularly. I was clean as of two weeks ago. I’d like to try and keep it that way, if we can.”

“I don’t want herpes either,” Vlad remarked, his face comically deadpan.

Caleb couldn’t help but laugh under his breath. “Yeah, it’s not the best dinner conversation, but you’re not wrong. I think safety is an excellent idea.”

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