My stomach swoops. “You want to kiss me?”
“Yes. Duh.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re allowed. I mean, we’ve done it before.”
They nod. “Yeah, but only with Ben around. Or like, on his way,” they say, mirroring my own thoughts.
“Yeah,” I breathe, dying for that kiss now too.
Parker grins, raising themself up on their tiptoes. I hesitate. I’m not even sure why. “Well, are you gonna make me do all the work myself?”
It would be easy to dismiss the flippant line as Parker being playful. Except it’s not. I can hear the vulnerability underneath. The worry that maybe I’m not in this. Or that I’m only interested if Ben is part of the equation. And sure, I have feelings for Ben. But I also have feelings forParker. Very real, very terrifying feelings that have nothing to do with Ben and nothing to do with our perfect little trio, so I close my eyes and tip my head forward, finding Parker’s mouth with my own.
Parker’s smile interrupts our kiss, and I find myself smiling as well. Dropping back onto their feet, they grin up at me. “Okay, so what do you wanna do tonight? Cozy night on the couch?”
“Sure.”
Taking my hand, they lead me to the couch. I drop my phone on the table, and we sit down beside one another. For a second, something awkward settles over us.
Parker sighs, peeking at me. “Or we could—” They pause, biting at their lower lip.
“Or we could?” I prompt.
“We could text Ben?” It comes out like a question.
“About what?”
I watch as Parker’s throat bobs. “About this…” They hook a leg over mine, straddling me and pressing themself closer. My hands grip their hips on instinct. My eyes widen when I realize they’re hard.
We stare at each other in silence for a second before I scramble for my phone, tightening my grip on Parker’s waist with one arm so I don’t have to let them go for even a second.
When I have our text thread open, I glance at Parker. “Are you sure?”
They nod, blond hair bouncing around like a halo. “Yeah, if you are.”
Taking a deep breath, I type out a message.
Me
park and i might want to havesome fun tonight
Ben
Sex you mean?
I raise my eyes to Parker’s, but they’re looking at my phone. “Tell him yes.”
Me
yes. if that’s okay with you.
Ben
Fuuuuuccckkkk. I already gave you two permission, but what is it about you checking in that’s so hot?
Parker laughs out loud, and I find myself grinning too. “Tell him I said weird shit turns him on.”
Me
