Tally snickers, munching on some cheese sticks. I almost lost my hand when I tried to steal one from her earlier, making Shannon, who’s hanging around us again today but keeping her distance, laugh. She’s nervous and on edge whenever my gaze lands on her, so I just leave her be.
Tally can’t resist digging deeper, not letting me overthink what Mac sprung on me or what’s going on with Shannon. “So, how was it?” she asks eagerly. “What did you guys do after he pulled you out of here? I want details.”
I feel myself blushing and getting shy as I explain, “Well, he… he nurtured some seeds for me. He’s growing herbs because I once told him that a real home for me needs an herb garden.”
Tally squeals with delight, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, my God, this is so cute. Like, Nash doing something like this? The poems, the public declaration, the herbs?” she exclaims, a little swoony, clearly rooting for him. “You’re gonna choose him, right? I mean, I’m still Team Hunter, but God, Nash just overtook him.”
I hesitate for a moment before answering, “Well, no.”
Do I tell them? I don’t even know if what he said is true.
“Girl, I know you said you can’t choose, but being happy with one of them is way better than being miserable alone. And Nash made up for the small part he did in that screw-up.” Tally frowns at me.
“That’s not it,” I hesitate, but then decide to confide in them. “Nash told me I didn’t have to choose. He said all of them want me. That they’re willing to share.”
Tally and Mac exchange shocked glances, their eyes widening with surprise. “They want to share you?” they both ask in unison.
I look down, fiddling with my apron. “That’s what Nash said,” I reply just as Nash and Tim walk into the restaurant.
I can’t keep Tally back as she walks up to Nash, pointing a finger at his chest. “You!”
“Hey, baby,” Tim greets her, but she holds up a hand to shush him.
Nash looks down at her with his eyebrows shooting up, and when she pokes him again, he puts his hand on his chest to keep her from doing it again. “Ouch, damn woman, what’s your problem?”
“My problem is that it took you guys so damn long! Ugh, finally, you used your brain cell. This is freaking amazing.”
Nash’s eyes find mine over Tally’s head, and there is a question in them as if to ask what I told her.
Fuck. I should have kept my mouth shut.
“I know doing it like this is…” Tally trails off, searching for a word while I feel sick.
“Tally…” I start, my voice shaky, but she doesn’t hear me.
Tim chimes in, his voice calm and with a smirk on his lips. “Unconventional?”
Tally nods, pointing at him. “Yes, babe, thank you. It’s unconventional.”
Nash’s frustration is evident in his tone. “Do I look like I give a fuck about conventions?”
Tally counters, her voice growing more stern, “Well, no, but you guys have a name, a legacy, and this is a small town. People will talk.”
Nash retorts, louder now, and I glance at the patrons in the back, but they’re engrossed in their own conversations. “And so what? People talk anyway, Tally. I thought you liked us? I thought you wanted her to be with us.”
“Of course I do. I love that for you guys. I just wanted to say they will talk and say dirty things about you, but especiallyher. So make sure to look out for her. She’s not cheap or anything when you guys are in a committed relationship, right? It’s not crazy to love more than one person. I just want to make sure youguys know what you’re getting into before you drop her like a hot potato again when people start to call you weird?—”
My blood freezes, and I feel like my heart just stopped.
Loving more than one person iscrazy.
They will call them weird because of me.
“Shut up!” Nash erupts, his anger finally breaking through.
“Hey!” Tim chimes in, attempting to defuse the situation by stepping between them.
Nash starts again, his voice quieter but no less intense. “I love you, Tally, but shut. The. Fuck. Up.” His desperate gaze finds me again, and Tally and Tim turn to me, too, Tally looking shocked as if she has only just realized what she said.
