“I might have fucked our girlfriend,” Grayson admits.
Caroline pretends to look sheepish. “It’s true. There might have been some fucking involved in the unpacking process.”
“Shocker.” This is something we’ve already discussed. Grayson and Caroline can have sex with each other whenever they want, like me and James. I set the plates on the counter next to James and give him a kiss on the side of the head.
“Where are you taking that suitcase?” James asks.
“We’re throwing this suitcase in the dumpster because she’s not going anywhere.”
“Grayson.” Caroline throws him a look of disapproval. “What if I want to, you know, take a trip to see my mother? Or go to New York with you?”
“I’ll buy you a new one. This one makes me angry. It almost went with you to Colombia.”
She laughs. “You’re ridiculous.” Then she leans over the kitchen counter to eye the Thai food. “Mmm, thanks for picking this up.” She gives James a kiss, then runs her hand across his back as she shifts around him to kiss me.
Affection is free for the offering and taking at any time, between anyone, with anyone else around. That’s another thing we agreed on. There isn’t any jealousy between us and we don’t want there to be. Open communication and open affection. That’s a solid foundation for our new relationship.
Grayson opens the door to his apartment and sets the offensive suitcase in the hallway. “I need to text Kyle.”
Caroline stiffens. “About what? You told her not to come over tonight, right? Fucking Kyle.”
“Why does Kyle annoy you so much?” James asks, lifting a piece of chicken to Caroline’s mouth and easing it between her lips. “Eat this. You sound hangry.”
“I am hungry,” she says, chewing the chicken. “But I’m nothangry. I just don’t like how pretty Kyle is. She’s been in this apartment every night for weeks while my boyfriend is asleep in bed in the other room. It pisses me off the way that suitcase pisses off Grayson.”
“Well, we can’t throw Kyle in the dumpster so put that thought out of your head,” I tell her, pulling out silverware from Grayson’s kitchen drawer.
James laughs.
“Are you sure?” Caroline teases.
“Kyle saved my ass and allowed me to sleep,” Grayson says. “Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t hate so hard on Kyle.”
“She’s so…put together. And gorgeous! Don’t tell me you didn’t notice,” Caroline insists.
Grayson looks genuinely confused. “Is she gorgeous?”
James and I exchange a look.
“She’s gorgeous,” James tells him.
“Absolutely the full package,” I agree.
Caroline wrinkles her nose.
“Huh. I honestly never noticed,” Grayson says.
Caroline rolls her eyes.
“It’s not Kyle’s fault you’re jealous.” Now Grayson is smirking a little as he picks up his phone. “I’ll text her now.”
“You’re firing her,” Caroline reiterates. “Just so we’re clear.”
“We’re clear.” He types quickly and then shows her the text. “Good?”
“Thank you for all your help, but I no longer require your services, effective immediately. I will pay you for the next four weeks and give your agency a very positive review.”
I just raise my eyebrows and start dishing pad Thai onto plates.
