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Joy might have come to terms with the fact that we’re in a relationship—albeit an unconventional one—but that doesn’t mean she’s relented on committing to anything past graduation. The thought of losing her after finally getting her back makes my chest ache so badly, I wince.

“Come in.”

I push open the door to Doug’s office to find him standing over by his coffee machine dressed in his usual white t-shirt and black sweats. He’s trimmed his beard and looks more like the ‘old’ Doug, but he’s definitely not back to normal. Not completely.

Trying not to look at the spot by his desk where I fucked him on the carpet, I clear my throat. “It’s Joy’s birthday today.”

He looks over at me, his eyebrows raised. “I know.”

That stops me in my tracks. “You do?”

“I know my team, Masters,” he says, pouring thick black liquid into his mug.

My skin heats. Of course, he does. He’s trained Joy for the last three and a half years. Why wouldn’t he know when her birthday is?

“Well,” I continue. “She doesn’t like to celebrate her birthday usually, but since it’s her last one at college, I thought it would be nice to do something quiet.”

Doug leans back against the filing cabinet, his gray eyes watching me over the rim of his mug. When he says nothing, I continue.

“I was thinking I’d take her out for pizza. There’s this little place on the outskirts of town that she really likes.”

He blinks. “And you’re telling me . . .?”

“Because I think you should come.”

He stares at me, eyebrows raised. “Who else is coming?”

“Me, Aldo and Joy.” I shrug. “If I invite any more it’ll freak her out and she won’t enjoy it.”

Doug just continues to stare at me, his careful expression causing me to shift from foot to foot. I don’t like it. Nope.

“Are you sure I won’t be cramping your style?” he asks. “Surely you don’t want me tagging onto your little threesome like some fourth wheel.”

I frown. There’s so much in that simple sentence to pick apart, but I just focus on the most important part. “Joy would want you to be there. I do, too. And Aldo.”

His body tenses a little at the mention of Aldo and a small wave of guilt wraps around my heart. Would Doug be bothered to know I’d fucked Aldo? Maybe he’s assumed it’s happened already.

“Please?” I try. “At least think about it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I blow out a breath and turn to leave, but then pause and glance back. “Don’t mention her birthday. It’s a surprise.”

“Surely she knows her own birthday.”

“You’re a dick, McMann.”

He smirks, and I shake my head as I leave.

All the way down to the pool, nervous excitement bubbles in my chest. I want today to be special for Joy but it’s such a delicate balance when it comes to birthdays for her. This year will be different, though. This year she has me and Aldo. I glance over my shoulder at the stairs. And maybe Doug, too.

It’s a weird feeling trying to arrange for another man to spend time with the people you’re seeing, but nothing about this is ‘normal’.

As much as the time the three of us spend together is incredible, I can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. At first, I thought it was because it was the three of us, and my brain was struggling with the non-conventional set up. But it’s not that.

I think the fact that all three of us have been pulled under Doug’s spell speaks volumes, and when we were sitting on the beach, despite the somber mood, it felt right with the four of us together. Whether that works when it’s more than just hanging out, I have no idea. This might be the worst idea in the history of ideas.

Pushing the doubt from my head, I head poolside, finding a couple of the team chatting alongside the edges. Joy and Aldo aren’t here yet and I wonder whether it’s because they’re together.

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