The tension in the room was palpable as the three men greeted each other. Or was that just her projecting?
She looked between the three of them and noticed the only person who seemed to be uncomfortable was her. The men were all cordial, shaking hands and slapping backs. Gabe stood near the fireplace, his eyes intense and alert. Asher lounged on the couch with his usual easy smile. And Shepherd walked into thekitchen, comfortable as you please, and deposited a carafe she hadn’t noticed he was carrying.
“I brought some of my special blend coffee for after dinner,” he told her before heading back to chat with Gabe and Asher.
"Well!" Evie said brightly, her voice a touch too high. "Can I get anyone a drink?"
“Already taken care of,” Gabe remarked, gesturing to the glass each of the others held.
“Umm… okay then, well, dinner is ready if you’d like to go through to the dining room.”
Evie didn’t wait to see if they complied but fled back into the relative safety of the kitchen. Her hands shook slightly as she lifted the casserole dish. She took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. It was just dinner with three friends. No big deal.
Except it very much was.
She almost jumped out of her skin when she turned to find Asher right behind her.
“Here, let me help you with that,” he insisted, plucking the steaming dish out of her hands and carrying it to the dining room, where the others had settled around the table she’d spent much too long setting with her parents’ best china, complete with linen napkins with silver holders and crystal glasses.
She followed with the side dishes and took her place, then widened her eyes as the conversation halted, and three pairs of eyes turned to her. The weight of their gazes made Evie’s cheeks flush. Hopefully, they’d put it down to the heat of the oven.
"This smells amazing," Asher said, his blue eyes twinkling as he took the lid off the casserole dish. "What culinary delight have you prepared for us?"
"Oh, it's just a simple Hunter's Chicken," Evie mumbled, picking up serving spoons to give her hands something to do. "My grandmother's recipe."
"Nothing you make is ever 'just' anything," Gabe remarked smoothly.
Evie blushed and busied herself serving the food, hoping they couldn't see how flustered she was, but her hand trembled, nearly spilling the sauce.
"Careful there," Shepherd murmured, his fingers brushing hers as he steadied the oversized spoon, causing her skin to tingle. She mumbled a quick "Thanks" and focused intently on serving the rest of the food, at a complete loss for what to say. She took a large gulp of wine to steady her nerves.
Thankfully, the men seemed to have no such issues; they chatted and drew her into their conversation.
And while the wine certainly helped, Evie was amazed to find that she not only settled into feeling at ease with the unusual situation, but she even enjoyed herself.
The one thing she wasn’t any closer to working out was if any one man made her feel more than the others. They all had their own distinct character. Their different strengths. She was no closer at all to figuring out her feelings. Each man brought something different to the table - literally and figuratively.
Gabe exuded quiet confidence, his sharp wit and intense gaze making her pulse quicken. Asher's playful charm and infectious laughter had her smiling despite her nerves. And Shepherd... well, his deep voice and smoldering looks sent shivers down her spine.
During the meal, she found herself staring at Gabe's hands as he gestured while telling a story, remembering how they'd felt cupping her face. Then Asher's knee brushed hers under the table, and her breath hitched. When Shepherd's dark eyes met hers over the rim of his wineglass, heat pooled in her belly.
This was hopeless. How was she supposed to choose when they each affected her so strongly?
As the evening wore on and they all settled into the lounge with Shepherd’s superior coffee, Evie felt her heart sink into her stomach. It was no good. She liked all three equally, and that wasn’t fair to anybody. The only option was for her to tell them she couldn’t date any of them. But damn, just the thought made her unbearably sad.
Still, it was the only way, and it was probably best if she tackled it right here and now. Just tore the band-aid off while they were all here together, and she could get it over with in one go, rather than let this drag on.
Evie cleared her throat and took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. The words felt heavy on her tongue, but she knew she had to get them out.
"I... I need to say something," she began, her voice wavering slightly.
Three pairs of eyes turned to her, expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. Evie's heart hammered in her chest. She twisted her hands in her lap, searching for the right words.
"I've really enjoyed spending time with each of you these past weeks, and again tonight," she continued, staring at her fingers, which she had laced together in front of her to avoid wringing her hands. "You've all been so kind and supportive. But I... I don't think I can choose between you."
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet their gazes. "It wouldn't be fair to any of us if I tried to pursue a relationship when my feelings are so... complicated. I care about all of you, so much so that I can't give any of you what you deserve."
The silence that followed felt oppressive. Evie's cheeks burned as she waited for their reactions. She half-expected anger or disappointment, but instead she saw... understanding?
