I cackle before responding, “Isla, you would eat that poor boy alive.”
Her thoughtful expression breaks instantly, quiet laughter spilling out. “Okay, you’re right,” she tells me between giggles, “But you know, if you wanted them both, there wouldn’t be anything wrong with that.”
“I know,” I assure her.
“Lots of people do the whole polyamory thing now. As long as you’re all openly communicating, it could be fun.” She playfully pushes my shoulder, gushing, “Could youimaginebeing between those two gorgeous men?”
I do, frequently,I want to tell her, but I refrain. I feel the warmth rising in my cheeks and hope that doesn’t give me away.
“You little minx! Youhavethought about it.” She stops our conversation to thank Ash for bringing her drink number four before turning back to me, “Spill!”
My drinks have made me a little loud-mouthed, and if I just tell hersomething, maybe she’ll let it drop for now. If she knows I’m at least thinking about it, she won’t push on whether I’m actuallydoingthe… doing.
“Ugh,” I groan, “Fine.Maybeonce or twice I’ve considered what it would be like to be with both of them. Together. At the same time,” I give as little as possible.
She gives me her bestno fucking shitlook and waves her hand in my direction, wordlessly asking for more. We never hide anything from each other, even our strangest fantasies. After one of her favorite reads—that I recommended, of course—she called me to spill about gaining a blood kink. She had saidIt’s highly impractical due to all the risks and how sick the blood could make you but like… it would be hot as fuck.
I completely disagree, but I’m fucking a man who would have to literally feed me his flesh to claim me forever, so who am I to yuck someone’s yum? Thinking about the acts I would have to commit to live forever with Caspian makes me sick to my stomach, nearly ruining the night altogether.
Shaking my head clear of its errant thoughts, I give her something, “I’ve thought about… making a trip to Paris.”
“Yes!” she all but squeals, “That would be hot. I’ve never been one for group play, but that could be way fun for you. The two of them look at you like they’d do anything to have you, even if it meant sharing.”Too god damn perceptive.
“I don’t know about all that. I mean… I hardly even know Fritz,” I say, trying to stop myself from telling her anything else. I definitely don’t need to tell her that he smells like cinnamon, sandalwood, and sex or that he whines when he needs to come.
Her whole demeanor changes with the mention of his name. “How do they know each other, by the way? And why did he pick up Caspian fromyourapartment instead of his own?” she asks, leaving the naughty ideas behind for more intrusive questions.
“I’m not really sure how they know each other, I just know they have for years and years,” I shrug, “And I guess my place was closer to the main highway than Cas’s? Or he wanted to say goodbye properly?” I’m rambling. “I don’t actually know, I didn’t ask.”
“I love you, but you’re not being very cautious. You should ask more questions. Especially about that smaller one-” Isla begins lecturing me again.
“Fritz,” I say, “That’s this name.”
“Right. Fritz,” she repeats, “you need to ask more questions about him. He gives me weird vibes.”
“Like bad?” I ask, wondering if it’s because he basically let himself into my house when he’d never been there before, or because he called me a strange nickname, or did a double take and practically glared at Isla when he saw her.
“Notbad,” she clarifies, “Just… off. Like something about his features and demeanor didn’t add up.”
“Uncanny valley,” I mutter to myself, thinking about how I thought the same thing when the two of them stood side by side. Having one inhumanly handsome man in a room can be explained, but two of them, who just happen to be friends? It feels… like you’re being hunted, which I guessis100% accurate.
She snaps her fingers at me in excitement, “Yes! That’s exactly it. They’retoogood looking, too symmetrical and their eyes are too bright, and they don’t act like your usual hot guys who have no redeeming qualities and too much confidence. They act like… I don’t know. Butnotlike normal guys.”
I nod, completely agreeing but needing this conversation to end. Right now. I can’t keep talking about this, or she’s going to figure out there’s something wrong about them. I hate changing the subject like this, but I have to.
“Hey, speaking of not normal, have you responded to your parents about them pushing you to visit?” I internally cringe at the dejected look I’ve caused on her face. She chugs down the last of her drink before responding with a single syllable, “No.”
I just nod, knowing she can’t be pushed into talking about this. If she wants to, she will. I know I’m the worst friend in the world for bringing this up, but keeping her safe from her own questions is the most important thing.
“I think I’ll just refund the tickets and call it a day. Once mother sees it on her statement, she’ll get the message,” she rolls her eyes, “How much longer will I have to do this?”
I wish I had an answer for her, but all I can do is purse my lips and shrug.
“I don’t wanna talk about them anymore. They’re dead and gone, as far as I’m concerned. Much like this drink.” She asks Ash for a water, deciding she’s had enough liquid courage. I get the sentiment, I’m about at my limit before my loose lips start to sink ships.
“What about work? What’s happening at work?” I need her to keep talking, so I don’t have to.
“Work is boring, same as always. Lots of reading, lots of pointing out the obvious.” Isla’s job does not make a lick of sense to me, honestly. She’s a research analyst, which tracks since she’s the smartest person I know. But she does it from home, barely interacting with her clients at all. She makes her own hours, chooses which jobs she takes on, and basically does it all.
