“Coffeeshop. On a study date.”
“Study date?” His tone shifts—teasing, possessive under the humor.
“Relax,” I say, smiling. “It’s academic. I’m not stripping for test answers.”
“Pity.”
I laugh, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Yeah,” he says softly. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
“Bye.”
“Bye, Little Menace.”
I hang up and set my phone down. Talon’s eyebrow is arched to the heavens.
“Sorry, that was the guy I’m seeing.”
“I thought you didn’t date.”
“I don’t,” I say, finishing the last of my toast. “At least not students. Or stepbrothers.”
He blinks, grinning. “Specific.”
“Very.”
He laughs, leaning in. “So what’s this guy think of you being out with me? You called it a studydate. Emphasis on date.”
I shrug, stirring my latte. “Since we’re not monogamous and he already knows I’m seeing someone else, I don’t think he’d care.”
Talon’s mouth falls open. “Wait. So you’re seeingsomeone elsetoo?”
“Yup.”
“Two guys?”
“Uh-huh.”
He whistles. “You don’t make things simple, do you?”
“Simple’s boring,” I say, smiling.
He shakes his head, grinning. “You’re something else, Penelope. So let me get this straight—you’re seeing two men, and now you’re here with me?”
“I don’t believe in monogamy, and this is a study date, as in we picked a date to study.”
He laughs again, but there’s something curious behind his eyes. “You really don’t believe in monogamy?”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
I lean back in my chair, studying him. The question isn’t judgmental—just curious. So I tell him the truth.
“Because people act like love’s this one-size-fits-all deal,” I say. “Like you’re supposed to findthe oneand never look at anyone else again. But that’s not how it works. You can love more than one person. Want more than one person. The heart’s not that small.”
He nods slowly, still watching me.
