Page 119 of Forbidden

Masters chuckles. “It can. Or at least, from my experience it can.”

We stand side by side in silence, watching the wedding guests laugh and drink and dance, until Lane turns to me again.

“Look, McMann. This train might crash and burn whether you’re on it or not, but trust me when I say, we all want you there for the ride.” He takes a long sip of his drink, holding my stare as I press my lips together. “I don’t know what you’re scared of, but honestly, what’s the worst that could happen?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer, instead turning and heading back over to our table, where Joy and Aldo have just sat down.

What’s the worst that could happen? It’s a question that I’ve asked myself a hundred times since walking out of Masters’ apartment Saturday morning. The truth is, I can’t find anything scary enough to stop me from taking that leap.

At that moment, Lane looks over at me and I swear there’s a fucking challenge in his eyes. I have never been so infuriated and simultaneously turned on by someone in my life. It turns out it is possible to equally want to strangle someone and kiss them at the same time.

Joy turns, following Lane’s stare and when she finds me at the end of it, she smiles. It’s a smile that I’ve come to live for every morning—one that’s worth dragging my sorry ass out of bed before five each day for. Her fierce spirit and confidence light up the parts of me that match her. She’s everything I like about myself, without all the shit bits.

It only takes a second or two for Aldo to realize that something’s happening, and he turns, his eyebrows lifting as his gaze falls on me. The curiosity and hopefulness in his half smile makes my stomach flip and I knock back the rest of my drink in one, smacking the empty glass down on the bar.

Fuck it.

I want them. I want all bloody three of them. So badly it aches. I haven’t ever wanted something this much. Not even when I was racing for gold. The three people, sitting and staring at me from across the room, somehow mean more to me than any prize, any goal. I’m not even sure when or how it happened. But what I do know is, there’s no point trying to hide from it anymore.

Taking a readying breath, I stalk toward the table with purpose. Masters’ eyes light up in triumph, but I ignore him—for now—my focus on the person who put me on hold earlier this evening.

“Dance with me?” I ask, extending my hand to Aldo.

He glances at the others, before standing slowly. “Sure.”

My heart hammers against my ribs as I lead him onto the still-crowded dance floor, and I realize I have no idea what to say.

“Are you okay?” Aldo asks, linking his hands behind my neck. “You seem stressed.”

Shaking my head, I run my hands up and down his back. “I’m just trying to figure out how to say what I want to.”

Aldo frowns. “Just say it. You never sugarcoat things, so why start now. Spit it out.”

Fine.“Okay. I’m in. All in.”

He stares at me for a second, his eyes moving over my face as though searching for the punchline, or some hint that I’m not telling the truth.

“I’m in,” I repeat, willing him to believe me. “I still think you three could do a lot better but—”

Aldo presses his lips against mine, cutting me off, and I grunt as he holds me to him as though I’m his sole source of oxygen. I melt into the kiss, trying not to think too much about whether we’re giving any elderly relatives a coronary.

“Good news?” Masters’ voice breaks over the music, and we pull apart to find him and Joy swaying to the music beside us.

“No,” I say. “I choked and Aldo was giving me mouth to mouth.”

Aldo squeezes my shoulder and grins at them. “Doug’s in.”

If I wasn’t already certain in my decision, the grin that spreads across Masters’ face and the way Joy’s eyes light up, would have sealed the deal. I still can’t fathom why these three want me, but I’m done fighting it.

“Wait,” Masters says, digging his phone out of his pocket.

I roll my eyes as he ushers us together and holds the phone up for a group selfie. Even as I mumble that it’s lame as fuck, the smile on my face immediately calls me out as a liar.

“There we go,” Masters says, grinning at the photo before slipping his phone back in his pocket. “Documented for all eternity. The moment three officially became four.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Nothing about this is ‘official’.”

“Obviously.” He moves to ruffle my hair and I shove his hand away with a smile.

---