“Okay, but only for dinner. Then I need to go,” she insists as she looks around the room at us. We all silently agree, reluctantly. Then she squeals as Jasper pulls her into his lap.
My eyes lock on hers as Jasper nuzzles into her neck and yet another displeased look crosses my face because it’s a sharp reality that what we’re doing here is temporary.
CHAPTER 33
FOUR-GONE CONCLUSION
MAJOR
Abby’s fucking perfect.
And I mean that in all the ways it can be meant.
She’s gorgeous, kind, unbelievably sexy and she matches with all three of us in different ways. It’s like a portion of her soul was created for each of us.
I internally cringe at my sappiness because that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth.
Is it possible to meet your perfect match and know she’s notjustfor you? I’ve been around a lot longer than all of them. I know exactly what I want and what makes sense for me. I knew I would never remarry. I enjoyed marriage for what it was, but I also knew that it wasn’t for me. It didn’t have anything to do with committing to another person. I’m without a doubt loyal and committed in anything that I’m passionate about, but my likes and dislikes are too particular and what makes sense for me would probably not make sense for others.
But with these three, something just clicks. Physically, emotionally, sexually.
Now, if I can just get Wade to see it.
The moment he heard Rachel’s voice, he kicked Jasper away so fast, I swear it was like he thought he was a bomb waiting to explode.
I’m actually surprised at how well Jasper is acting. Well, maybe not. Jasper takes everything in stride. But I can’t imagine how vulnerable he felt when Wade did that.
He seems to be okay now but he’s also using Abby as a shield, holding on to her like he wants to trap her in his arms and never let go.
She’s smiling and asking questions as they cuddle on the couch talking about his family farm and their first meeting at the Farmer’s Market. I love how relaxed they feel together.
“They’re good together,” Wade says as he steps up next to me, placing the cutting board on the counter.
His body is rigid, rivaling the intensity of his gaze on them, contradicting the easiness in his words and I see exactly what he’s doing. Pushing her, us, away before he gets hurt.
“We’re all good together,” I reply as I turn toward him and lean into the kitchen island. I can tell he wants to say more. He wants to say a lot. I think he normally does but he keeps to himself, holding back all the things he wants to say and do for fear of what, I don’t know.
“Lily’s getting big,” I change the subject because I know this will get him talking.
He smiles, that adoring smile only a smitten father can have. “She is, she’s talking a lot. Understanding so much more everyday. Scary as hell.”
“She’ll be understanding about a lot of things, you know,” I add and he just nods slowly as he chops the carrots I left out on the counter.
“She’ll understand your schedule is challenging, working the shifts we work. She’ll understand that you do this to give her a good life with as many opportunities as possible. And she’llunderstand if you start dating someone,anyone,” I pronounce slowly, deliberately, “male, female…multiple,” I add.
He stops chopping and side-eyes me, then looks down taking a deep breath through his nose.
His eyes shut, like he’s talking himself into speaking and when he reopens them they’re laser focused on Jasper and Abby.
“What the hell does that even look like Major? I’ve never even had a healthy relationship with one woman, how could I even manage being good enough for her, for…us.”
“I’ve had multiple relationships that have ended in a break up and one massively failed marriage. I’m definitely not the right person to answer that question,” I say, honestly.
His shoulders are still tense and his face screws up as he glares at me.
“If you’re trying to sell me on this whole poly thing, you’re failing miserably.”
I chuckle, because it’s not often that Wade has a snarky come back. Jasper is rubbing off on him in a good way.
