Page 67 of Feasting on Her Curves (Forbidden Fantasies)

PETRA

I stared down at the stick with its single blue line. That might have been a negative test, but the line wasn’t in the right place. It was in the test window, and there was nothing in the control area to show that the test was functioning properly.

I’d woken up that morning and the morning before with a sour stomach. It was so bad I’d raced to the bathroom thinking I was going to throw up. It crossed my mind that I might be pregnant, but I discounted that idea quickly. I couldn’t be carrying a child. I’d just started sleeping with the guys, and not enough time had passed.

The second day I was sick, I got out my calendar. Trying to remember when the encounter with Gavin in the bakery had taken place, I realized it was a few weeks ago. I hadn’t had my period, but it was still early. I didn’t know what to do, but the home test was only ten dollars, and it was worth it for my peace of mind.

Imagining that I would get some quick confirmation that I was only suffering from a cold, I texted my boys to see if I could get a rise out of them. Donovan didn’t answer right away, but Cory sent back a string of excited emojis. It warmed my heart that he was so positive about the possibility. Even though I had no idea if I was actually pregnant, I realized that someday, I might like to be a mother. Having them on board so early seemed like a good sign.

But the test didn’t work. So, I called my doctor to explain my symptoms and managed to get an appointment a few days later. I was ninety percent sure it would be negative when I finally got the results, but that ten percent uncertainty had me walking on air.

I didn’t even realize how much I wanted a baby. It would be hard to manage with the bakery and Donovan’s career, but we could manage. My logical brain knew that waiting for a few months or a few years would be better. I could nail down the changes at work and deepen my commitment to the guys. But if by some miracle, the test turned out positive, I was going to be so excited.

A few minutes after my last communication with Donovan, he sent a message telling us that Patrick had had a change of heart. I was immediately crushed that he hadn’t approached me first. I was his sister, but he chose to talk to his former college teammate first. I didn’t have to stew for very long, however. Patrick showed up at my door an hour later, hat in his hand.

“I’m sorry for getting in the way,” he said.

“You meant well.” I gave him a hug. “I’m glad you came around.”

“I didn’t want you to see any of them,” Patrick complained, trying to explain his actions. “Why did you have to pick all three?”

“I have a great idea,” I said. “I have a friend who is involved in a polyamorous relationship. It’s been going on for almost a year. Why don’t I see if they are free for lunch?”

Patrick frowned. I could see that he was trying to keep an open mind but didn’t understand how meeting Meara and her boyfriends would help. I thought if he could just see that I wasn’t breaking new ground, that other people had successfully done what I proposed, that he might relax.

“Just humor me,” I encouraged him.

“I think I’ve done that,” he grumbled.

I texted Meara. Are you guys free for lunch? I want you to meet my brother.

Let me check, she shot back a moment later.

“A traditional relationship isn’t for everyone,” I told my brother. “Just because there are three of them doesn’t mean I’m in over my head.”

He didn’t respond, but I could see he wasn’t convinced. I changed the subject and started telling him about the bakery. I had stopped by that morning after going to the pharmacy for the pregnancy test. The contractors were nice enough to give me a walk-through. It looked horrible, but they assured me that once they patched everything up and put the new floor on, I would be pleased with the results.

“There was plastic everywhere, and they had sanded down the walls,” I explained. “I’m not sure how they’re going to get it all done in just a few days.”

“Projects like that rarely go according to plan,” Patrick said.

“According to who?” I demanded.

Just then, Meara answered me. Meet at Chez Raul’s in an hour?

Great, I responded. That would give me just enough time to get changed and convince Patrick that he needed to accompany me.

It took a bit of strongarming, but I was finally able to get my brother to agree. He’d brought his car, so we drove together to the Italian bistro. Meara and her guys showed up a few minutes later, looking relaxed and happy as ever. Patrick did a double-take. I had explained to him the nature of Meara’s relationship with the three, but seeing it for himself must have jolted something to life.

As soon as we were all seated, Patrick began a rapid-fire series of questions. “So you’re all dating the same woman?”

“That’s right,” Damien replied. He was the tallest and most gentle of the three. Almost like a giant teddy bear, Damien doted on Meara with obvious affection.

“And nobody’s jealous?” Patrick asked.

“Nope,” Kent responded. He was the grumpiest of them all with a short fuse that ignited at the smallest infraction. But he never got angry at Meara, and I had rarely seen him raise his voice around the other guys.

“And you’re okay with that?” Patrick directed his final question at Meara.

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