Matthew chuckled. “The IV fluids you got yesterday don’t last forever, so youdoneed to drink water.”
I bit my lower lip, fighting a smile. It was easy to flirt with him. “Is that my prescription, then?”
“Yep. Just what the doctor ordered.”
I laughed as heat crept up my spine. “What . . . What are you doing this Friday?”
Matthew was quiet, then hummed. “Nothing. Would you like to go to dinner?”
“I’d love to,” I said. God, I needed to be honest with him about what I wanted, though. I felt nauseous, but pushed myself to tell him the truth. “Matthew . . . I . . . With Nick in town, I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m interested in you, but . . .”
“Are you interested in him too?” he asked patiently.
“Yes.”
“And Austin? I know you’ve had a crush on him for a while.”
My mouth opened, but no words came out. June and Avery knew that, of course. But I’d never told anyone else. “Is it that obvious?” I whispered.
It was kind of humiliating. I’d had a crush on Austin for years, but nothing had ever come of it. It didn’t matter how many hints I dropped, he never seemed to get it. I hated myself for fawning over him so much. He was just a man. But god, I wanted him. I’d wanted him for so fucking long, it hurt.
“It is obvious to me,” Matthew said. “Evie, I really like you. And I’d really like to take you on a date. Let’s see how it goes, and we can talk through everything else in person. Does that sound good?”
“It does.” Relief brushed away the tension. “I’d offer to cook something, but I’ve been ordered to rest my arm by an annoying doctor.”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “Rest. Drink water. If you need anything, just text.”
“Yes, sir.”
He sucked in a breath, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Talk to you soon.”
“Yes. Talk soon.”
We hung up and I let my head fall back against the couch. “Oh my god,” I whispered to myself. “I’m going on a date with Matthew.”
I was giddy. My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard as I closed my eyes, thinking about him. About Nick. About Austin . . .
In my perfect world, I wouldn’t have to choose between the three of them. Then again, Austin didn’t want me. All my years of pining were finally starting to crack apart. It was time to move on from the dream of us and give love a shot with someone else.
Polyamory had worked so well for my friends. Avery was so happy and in love with Mateo and Levi. June, Madi, and Dallas were in love and cuter than ever.
They’d all found their happiness with each other, so why not me?
A knock tapped through my house and I frowned. I wasn’t expecting anyone. I tightened my robe around me and crept to my door, looking through the peephole.
Speak of the devil.
I unlocked it and opened the door.
Austin stood on the other side, rocking on his heels awkwardly. The sun was already bright on us, kissing the tan he already had from working outside so much. He didn’t have his ball cap on this morning, and his dark brown hair was actually brushed. Was he here for me? What if he confessed his undying love and I’d been wrong?—
“You can’t date Nick.”
Oh.
Of course.
He was going to do the over-protective thing. I should have seen that coming. I let the door swing all the way open andhis cheeks turned red, his eyes dipping briefly to the swooping neckline of my silk robe. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and you know what? Fuck him. Fuck him insomany different ways. I hoped the outline of my nipples haunted him.
