Mia laughed. “Homecooked? Really? The pasta was out of a packet, and the sauce was out of a jar. All I did was make it warm and mix it together on a plate.”
Alex shrugged and stuck his fork into another bit of the pasta, then used it to scoop up the sauce. “Maybe, but it’s still a damn sight better than a bloody sandwich, pre-packed salad, or the mass-produced stuff they dish up in the hospital canteen.”
“Fair enough. I hope you enjoy it,” she replied, then reached for her wine and took a sip, before starting in on her own plate of food. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Alex. Up until now she’d always thought of medical professionals—at his career level, that was—as having busy but quite glamorous lives. Saving patients, receiving endless gratitude, being well-compensated and therefore having large houses and flashy cars. But, although she didn’t know what Alex’s house was like, she did know he’d not bothered to buy a car, and now she also knew that he survived mostly on a lacklustre diet of sandwiches, salads, and canteen food. It had truly shattered the image she’d built up in her mind—clearly she’d watched too many hospital dramas in her lifetime.
And now she was racking her brain to figure out what she could do to ensure Alex ate better—if not all the time, then a couple of times a week. As she shifted in her chair, though, a hard lump digging into her right hip reminded her that she had more pressing matters to deal with.
For the second time in a matter of days, she ate at her kitchen table with two men, discussing light-hearted and occasionally meaningless topics, until their plates were empty and the men were talking about how delicious it was, and how full they were. Where things differed this time, though, was that she cleared up alone, insisting that the boys stay seated, since they were her guests. As she rinsed the plates and then loaded them into the dishwasher, only vaguely aware of them chatting away in the background, she contemplated whether they would ever fit in to her life here in the same way that Thomas did. The two of them just seemed to slot together seamlessly when it came to scenarios like this—he’d take care of one thing while she did the other. But then, she supposed, they did spend a lot more time together than she did with Elias or Alex—it was natural they’d fall into a rhythm. She just had to accept that hers and Thomas’s relationship was at a completely different stage. Much like hers and Elias’s was a little further forward than hers and Alex’s.
All she could do was go with the flow. Right now, she hardly knew what was going to happen next week, never mind what her life with her men would be like in a year’s time. She just hoped that between them, they would come up with a solution that suited them all.
Having finished clearing up, she tried to catch Elias’s attention from a position where Alex couldn’t see her. He looked up, and she patted her pocket and mouthed, “Ready?”
He gave a single nod.
With that, Mia quickly retrieved the ring and slipped it back on her finger. She grinned as she looked at it and thought all over again how beautiful it was. With any luck, it would stay precisely where it was now on a permanent basis, to be joined by a wedding band in a few months’ time. There was no further need to hide the fact she was engaged, after all.
She grabbed the bottle of wine and headed back over to the table. “A drop more wine each?” she asked.
Both men agreed, and she divided the meagre remaining contents of the bottle between their glasses as best she could, before re-taking her seat. She deliberately kept her left hand under the table for now. She was just wondering how to begin, or whether they should retire to the TV room, with its more comfortable sofas and chairs, when Elias beat her to it.
“Hey, Al. Mia and I have something to tell you.”
Following his meal, Alex had slumped into his chair, but now sat up straight and lifted his eyebrows, his eyes full of intrigue. “You do?” He looked between his friend and Mia. “Out with it, then. Don’t keep a bloke in suspense.”
Mia had no intention of doing so. She whipped her hand from under the table and placed it on the surface in front of Alex. “We’re engaged… officially.”
He gently took her hand and lifted it slightly to look at the ring. Then he met Mia’s eyes. “Congratulations! This is amazing news. When did it happen? How? Where? Bloody hell, I’m so out of the loop! We need to throw a party!” He jumped to his feet, then pulled Mia to hers before wrapping her up in a big, tight hug. Then he moved over to Elias and did the same with him.
When he sat down, his eyes sparkling with genuine happiness, Mia’s heart swelled with fondness for this lovely, gorgeous guy who was so pleased that his best friend was marrying their shared girlfriend.
“Come on, then,” he prompted, “tell me what happened.”
Elias and Mia exchanged a look, silently wondering who should fill him in—and Mia conceded with a jerk of her head, figuring that since Elias had gone to so much trouble that evening, he should get bragging rights.
After taking a sip of his wine, Elias related the story—misunderstandings and all, much to Mia’s surprise—then ended by saying pointedly, “And before you start picking apart my romantic master plan, need I remind you that she said yes?”
Surprising Mia further still, Alex shook his head. “No, no criticism from me, mate. It sounds so perfect that in some completely bizarre way I’m glad there was an emergency at work which enabled the two of you to have that time together, and to make things official. So,” he clapped, his eyes still sparkling, though this time with excitement, “when’s the party? And, most importantly, when’s the wedding?”
“Whoa, whoa,” Elias said. “Hold your horses, mate. We might have made it official between us, but we need to see my parents, then put the announcement in the paper. Then we can start thinking about parties and wedding dates, all right?”
“Well,” Mia interrupted, eager to wipe the disappointment of Alex’s face, “that’s not quite true. We can think about parties and wedding dates, we just can’t book anything yet. Or tell anyone else. Speaking of which,” she turned to Elias, “any idea yet when we can go to see your parents?”
“As long as you’re free, not next weekend, the weekend after. First weekend in February, isn’t it? Honestly,” he rolled his eyes, “their social life is a million times better than mine. You’d think they’d be more eager to see me, wouldn’t you? But I almost felt like I was making an appointment to see my own parents and they managed to squeeze me in.”
“Doesn’t normally bother you,” Alex said with a smirk.
“True. But I’m trying to do the right bloody thing here, and they’re not making it easy.”
“Ugh, parents, eh?” Alex said, then winced immediately and shot an apologetic look at Mia. He reached for her hands and squeezed them earnestly. “Shit, Mia, I’m so sorry. That was an incredibly insensitive thing for me to say. God, I wish I could take it back. I really am sorry, sweetheart. Can you forgive me?”
She shook her head dismissively. “Alex, it’s fine. You don’t have to watch what you say around me, or tread on eggshells. Honestly. It’s a fact of life that you both have parents, and I don’t. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just… well, it is what it is.” Feeling increasingly uncomfortable beneath Alex’s sympathetic gaze, she decided now was as good a time as any to change the subject. She gently pulled out of his grasp, then drank some of her wine to try and bolster her courage. It could still all go completely wrong at this point. “Since we seem to be in the mood for sharing news, there’s something else you guys need to know…”
Chapter Fifteen
“So you really and truly don’t have a problem with it?” Mia asked Elias and Alex, tension and worry seeping out of her with every second that passed.
Alex was shaking his head, and Elias had wrinkled his nose up. “Mia,” the latter said, a shade of incredulity colouring his voice, “it was us that gave you the idea, made you realise it was even a thing. How could we possibly complain if you then chose to add more men to your harem? It would be hypocritical, to say the le
ast.”
Now Alex nodded.
“Well, I was already involved with Tom before you… propositioned me, so technically I added you two to my harem, since Tom was the first member, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I really didn’t think he’d go for it. He’s more of a traditional guy—or so I thought.”
“It sounds as though this Tom is full of surprises,” Alex said, breaking into a smile. “I can’t wait to meet him!”
“Hmm,” Elias said darkly, his brow drawn low.
Mia’s heart fluttered. “What is it, Elias? What’s wrong?” Oh God, he wasn’t going to change his mind now, was he? If he was, it was the ideal time. All he’d have to do was take back the ring and walk away and most of the world would be none the wiser. The very thought made her stomach roil, and not because it meant she would have to find someone else to marry. Because she didn’t want Elias to walk away from her; not ever.
Elias met her eyes, and his face softened. “Oh, Mia, don’t look so worried. I just…” He sighed, placing his hands palm down on the table and suddenly becoming fascinated with them. “I envy him, is all. I envy him, I’m eternally grateful for him, and I’m eager to meet him. To find out what it is about him that’s got you so devoted.” He looked up again, then let out a dry chuckle. “One might say I’ve got mixed feelings about the chap.”
Mia frowned. “Er, okay… please explain, because I’m confused.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” His handsome face creased into something between a smile and a grimace. “I envy him because he’s here, with you, all the time. Or most of the time, anyway. Clearly this weekend is an anomaly. He gets to spend lots of time with you, and because of his job he’s… integrated, for want of a better word, into this land, this property, that you love so much. He’s the complete package. He represents home for you. I’m grateful for him because he’s been there for you through what has to have been the hardest and most stressful time of your life. I was often sick with worry about you rattling around up here by yourself, dealing with everything while grieving for your father at the same time. I know you’re strong,” he said when she opened her mouth to protest, “I know you’re perfectly capable of managing it all. That’s not what I’m saying. But I’m glad he was here nonetheless. It sounds as though he was exactly what you needed.
“And with all of that, I think I’ve already answered my own question. You’re devoted to him because he was there when you needed him, whether you thought you needed him or not.” He paused, fixing her with a gaze that seemed to penetrate right through to her very soul. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you? And he with you. That’s not an accusation, by the way, far from it. You deserve to love and be loved—I only hope that one day I’ll have that honour bestowed upon me, too.”
“God, you’re a pompous git,” Alex burst out, managing to give voice to Mia’s thoughts, even before she’d figured out exactly what they were. Not that she’d have used that specific turn of phrase. But Alex was nothing if not direct, especially when it came to his best friend. “You were making a lot of sense for most of that, mate, and I was agreeing with you, and you know how much I hate doing that. Then you had to ruin it all with that last bit—honour bestowed upon me—Christ, talk about condescending!”
Elias looked as though someone had just punched him in the face. He blinked. “What? Condescending? It jolly well wasn’t meant to be. Oh, fuck.” He ran a hand through his hair, and frowned. “I can see now how that might have been misconstrued. But I promise that was not what I meant. I chose my words poorly. I literally meant that I hope you’ll fall in love with me too one day, Mia.” He made eye contact with her again, and the earnestness she saw displayed there made her irritation melt away. “Because I’m well along the way already, with you.”
Alex snorted. “Why didn’t you just say that then, you idiot?” He shook his head, then reached out and took Mia’s hand. “Take no notice of him. I’m sure you know by now that his heart’s in the right place but sometimes he just talks shit. Anyway, I do agree with most of what he said. I know it’s early days, particularly for you and me, but I really do hope that with time, it’ll be a big ol’ lovefest, for all of us. Including the illustrious Mr Chaudary, if things work out. If they do, the jammy sod will probably end up seeing you more than I do.” He gave an exaggerated groan and rolled his eyes.
Mia smiled, then leaned over the table and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “We’ll figure something out,” she said softly. “I know that we’re not always going to be able to schedule time together in advance, and there will be some of you I spend more time with than others, whether we like it or not. But I will do my utmost to make sure all my men are as happy as I can possibly make them, and show them just how special they are to me.”
Alex tutted and shook his head. “Mia, the whole point of this is that we work together to make you happy. Show you just how special you are.”
She shrugged. “Much as it’s nice to be appreciated, you know I’m not some pampered princess who wants to sit on some pedestal and be adored. It’s a two-way street for me, I’m afraid.”
“Huh,” Alex said, pursing his lips, hurt flashing behind his eyes. “Guess that’s me told.”
“Yeah—looks like I’m not the only one who’s choosing words poorly tonight, doesn’t it?” Elias added with a playful grin.
Mia shot him a dirty look, and he held his hands up. “Sorry! Let’s change the subject, shall we? Alex, you asked about an engagement party, and wedding dates.”
“No,” Mia said, drawing confused glances from both men. “No wedding talk; not tonight.” She sighed heavily and rubbed at her temples. “You know what, no more talking at all. I’ve had enough of it for one week—arguing, persuading, confessing, discussing… I’m done.” After a glance at her watch, she added, “I’m ready for bed.”
Clearly unsure whether that was a statement or a proposition, Elias got slowly to his feet, then walked over to the hooks on the wall where he and Alex had hung their jackets earlier and retrieved his keys from his pocket. “I’ll, er, go and collect our bags from the car.”
As he sloped out of the room, Mia lamented the abrupt mood dip that she’d inadvertently created. She’d been so looking forward to seeing the two of them, and they’d had a nice evening up until they’d started addressing some uncomfortable subjects. But then, they were never going to agree on everything, were they? Regular couples didn’t agree on everything, so why the hell would it be any different for them? If anything, the chances of friction, disagreements and arguments were increased dramatically. And surely it would only get worse if things with her and Arjun worked out.
Christ. Am I making a terrible mistake here, or what?
Alex remained silent long after Elias’s footsteps died out. She wanted to say something to him, wanted to apologise, but she couldn’t. Because she’d meant what she said. She was in love with Thomas, and she adored Elias and Alex. She wanted them to be happy, wanted to make them happy, to the best of her ability. Wasn’t that what people who cared about each other did? It was all about give and take.
In that moment, she realised how she could give, even if it was just a tiny bit. “Alex, I’m sorry if what I said sounded bitchy. Maybe all three of us have used the wrong sorts of words tonight. Yes, I meant what I said, but if it sounded uncaring, ungrateful, or argumentative, I apologise. That was honestly not my intent. I would never purposely upset you or piss you off, you know that, right?”
He nodded warily. “I do. Maybe we’re all just tired. I know I am.” He paused briefly on hearing the click of the front door. “Sleep sounds like a really good idea right about now. What are, er, the sleeping arrangements? Guest rooms, sofas…?”
Elias entered the room, then walked over and handed Alex his bag. “Yeah,” he said, rubbing his stubbled cheek with his free hand, “I’m ready to hit the hay, too. It’s been a hectic week.”
Mia glanced between the two of them, feeling conflicted. They were both clearl
y exhausted, and she wasn’t exactly full of energy herself, but it seemed bizarre to send them off to guest rooms when they’d come all this way so they could spend some time together. The last thing she wanted was to lie in bed alone when she could be snuggled up with the two of them. But then, if she said that, would it sound like all she was interested in was sex?
Oh, grow up, Mia. You just said exactly what you meant to Alex. Why can’t you do the same now? Just because sex is involved? Pathetic. Just say what you mean now, and there’ll be no room for confusion, for misinterpretation.
“No need for guest rooms or sofas. There’s plenty of room in my bed. To sleep, I mean. I’m knackered, too. And,” she flashed a smile Alex’s way, “there’s the added bonus that you’ll get to see my fluffy pyjamas.”
“Well,” Alex replied, returning her smile, “with an offer like that, how can a man possibly refuse?” He got to his feet. “Lead the way, gorgeous.”
“I have no bloody idea what you two are talking about, but I’m game,” Elias said, slipping his keys back into his jacket pocket and waiting by the door.
“One sec. I just need to make sure this door is locked.” She stood from her chair and walked over to the door leading to the gardens, then tried the handle. “Yep, we’re good.”
“I just locked the front door behind me,” Elias said.
“Thank you. Do either of you need anything before we go up? Glasses of water, snacks?”
“Ever the considerate hostess,” Alex said. “Water would be great.”
“Me too, please,” Elias added.
She filled three tumblers and handed one to Elias and Alex, then picked up her own. “Right then, if there’s nothing else, shall we go up?” She switched off the kitchen lights, then walked into the hallway and headed for the stairs. It felt so weird, so awkward, leading them up to her bedroom to just sleep. But was that why it was awkward? Or was it because, for the first time, they were in her domain? Last time it had been the three of them, they’d been at a hotel. And her second time with Elias had been at his place.
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