Inextinguishable Love: Firefighter and Interracial Romance

by Kathleen Bunker

  “So?” and he looked on with sincerity, I couldn’t tell why he was giving these girls such a show and sensed some kind of game. But Cash wasn’t a game player like that. “With Andrew’s approval, of course.”

  Just the mention of Andrew’s name was hard to hear at that point and I wanted to tell Cash everything that had happened but it wasn’t the time. It was only because of what Andy had just told me that I thought nothing could surprise me, and felt way off guard in general. I just stared at him trying to read if he was serious. That was when he looked me in the eyes like he never had before.

  For four years I had looked into the eyes of this guy and he had never looked at me like that. Softly, he said, “I thought maybe… we could try it.”

  And I nearly passed out. Seriously, I got light headed and flushed and weak and backed away politely letting him lead me off the floor so I could sit down. I totally left him hanging there like a sad puppy and went to the loo, but I just had to go and take a moment to myself.

  The bathroom was peaceful, a silver motif in this one and for a moment I just enjoyed the scent of jasmine soap, but then I couldn’t help but notice the woman in the mirror waiting for my attention.

  I was thinking, Did this really all just happen? Did my two best friends just come on to me in the same night? Who I adore? Who I love? Who any girl would die to have the attention of for even a moment? I remember feeling tragic. Sick. Torn.Upside-down. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. I sighed out a big sigh and just thought about the two of them, their smiles… And then I had this idea.

  I watched a grin form on my face in the in the mirror. “I won’t have one of them,” I said to myself out loud, “unless I can have both of them.”

  *****

  “Ha!” I felt like I had outsmarted the evening and with my head held high I prepared to re-enter the party. I quickly reasoned that with everything that happened, and once we all had talked about it, that my decision, which at the time was just my way of skirting any decision at all, would be to not choose. Yes, as simple as that, and they would have to figure it out from there with the ball in their court.

  I heard laughter as I strolled down the hallway, and headed to the lounge where it was coming from to find a big group of my friends all looking more grown up but only because they were serving up scotch. Andy and Cash were both there.

  We lounged with our drinks and I felt like I had something tucked up my sleeve and the only way to clear the air was just to do it. When it was just the three of us in this one area all cozied up and laughing I blurted out, “So…Cash asked me out tonight.”

  Cash got white in the face and Andrew looked confused, only I laughed. Cash chimed, “I said with Andy’s approval.”

  “Wait, what?” Andy said, honestly dumbfounded, “but…” He looked to me to for some kind of direction, perplexed.

  “Yeah, Andrew professed his love for me, too,” I divulged, “out on the patio like, an hour before.” The two of them looked at each other with wasn’t horror or relief but something oddly in between, searching for where this could go.

  “Don’t worry,” I broke things up, casually lounging back with my glass and taking another sip, “I’ve already made up my mind.”

  “Oh, really?” Andy asked playfully, and we all laughed. Same three. Same laughs. There should have been this awful tension but with us all three there, there just wasn’t.

  “Do tell,” Cash inquired so formally.

  “I just simply won’t have one of you,” I remarked and it started to sound like a game.

  “Princess!” they both said in unison, and we all chuckled. Andy looked a little disappointed really, but Cash was deep in thought. He stood up and looked out in silence.

  “Okay, so what if?” he said and we listened. “What if we move forward in life just like everyone expects, just like we’re supposed to, but in our way. What if we reinvent things on our own terms? What if we dare, guys?” And he looked on to us, continuing his speech. “What if we dare to let love in?”

  It sounded crazy. I mean in a striking way, like a new business idea that’s so great, but will just die a dream. But then, all of a sudden, Andy spoke.

  “I’m in.” Then he looked at me intently, “I love you, Holly, and Cash if you’re serious—I mean, are you saying you love her?”

  Cash knelt down on one knee and looked at me, “I’m crazy about her.”

  “Then,” Andy said, “unless you’re screwing around I say let’s do it. Not like, ‘it’ I mean, you know, like try this idea.” We all cracked up laughing which was a good thing because that surely was in the back of everyone’s mind on how that whole thing would go.

  Now it was my turn, “So, wait, you guys are actually both saying that you love me so much you want to take things to the next level? Like relationship wise? I have to admit it only sounds fun and I can’t bear the thought to lose you guys so making plans together seems perfect. I just… I just can’t believe this is happening.” After a pause, I smirked, “It’s kind of hot,” breaking the ice and we all smiled. “So…what do we do next?”

  Cash was the one who answered. “We move in together."

  *****

  Not much seemed to change in the coming weeks after graduation. Cash and Andrew’s dads had known each other since school themselves and when we approached our parents about moving, the two agreed to spring for our place, and of course saw it as an investment as well.

  They dropped a cool 7.8 mil on 39 million dollar Penthouse One at 33 East 74th Street in the Upper East Side of Manhattan—which I now call home. I’ll admit I had my doubts and was a little whiny at first, because of not having any say in choosing the place. I would have gone for something higher up from the ground, but once I walked in, I shut up pretty quickly.

  The place is a dream! It suits us all and has been perfect. I dearly love the wrap-around terrace facing both Madison and 74th street, and especially adore being one block from the park.

  Our nearly 200 grand a month mortgage payment was covered until we could pick up the payments, and the guys have been doing a pretty good job of that for over a year now. I am no stranger to the fact that I am the luckiest girl in Manhattan living in a mansion with my two boyfriends, who insist I worry only about keeping myself happy and leave the finances up to them.

  Andrew works as a top lawyer and is damn good at it (and damn sexy in the suits I help pick out for him), and Cash has carried on his pops legacy with investing.

  I spend my time staying healthy and happy, connected, working out schedules, making dates, surprising the boys and shopping. There is lots of shopping. I don’t go on shopping sprees, I’m too particular, but I do love to feel good and take good care of my beloved wardrobe. I shop for inspiration. What I might find out on a shopping trip may very well tell how my next week will go.

  It was, in fact, only a few hours after we’d unpacked on our first day at the Penthouse before I rang for a car and was off to Saks. Scoring a demure sleeveless Red Valentino round neck flared dress in a 1960’s inspired cherry floral print, with side slash pockets (I love side slash pockets) was all I needed to spark spontaneity into play.

  With thoughts brewing in my mind of how I could wear this sensational little dress, I went ahead and picked up silk panties in pink and a pair of soft pink heels before leaving. Before walking out, I texted the boys, asking if they’d be up for a picnic in the park to celebrate.

  Andy said they could swing it and asked where and when. I told him to bring a sheet or something for a picnic blanket and that I’d pick up some lunch, describing a little meeting spot easy to find. In the next 45 minutes I got a car over to a market, grabbed some French baguettes, brie, pate, olives, strawberries, chocolate macaroons, and wine, then stepped off to the bathroom to change. I put on my perfect cheerful and flirtatious picnicking getup, letting my hair down and brushing the soft curls lightly.

  Carefree and on time, I strolled with the paper sack in my arm up and over the hill, on the path to
where I’d described. There were two handsome men who spied me from where they sat lounging on an open blanket.

  Cash blushed and Andy spouted “Oh, shit!” He stood up and continued to gush over me, “Girl, I believe the city becomes you! Damn!” Andy pointed at me eyeing Cash as if to say ‘Look at what we got for a date here!’

  I grinned and was floating on air, setting up our little picnic in the sun, fully aware of how my legs were positioned on the blanket. I loved the feeling of being flirtatious with my two fellows, although this hadn’t sunk in yet, nor become official in ways beyond words so far. Here I was though, getting us closer to exploring that change.

  We savored our foods and sipped on our wine in this fresh sensation of our new day. Like magic, a sensual mood seeped in on our afternoon. The laughter and chatter was usual but there was something else growing here. Something that we hadn’t talked about. Something new that living apart hadn’t allowed us to face, and knowing that we were headed here, we all just sort of figured things would work out once we got here. Well now we were here, and none of us had any clue how things were going to go.

  Sure, some things had been touched on, mentioned, like both Cash and Andy divulging that with this whole venture, neither one of them had any interest in each other like that—it just didn’t bother them if the other was there. They were that close. Well, I didn’t have any idea how to handle the situation but here I was in my cherry dress feeling like I was figuring it out.

  “This is so great,” I sighed. “Just finally being here. I love this park, I love this city, and I love you guys, and I love our new place!”

  Cash asked, “Yeah, pretty sweet isn’t it? As sweet as life right now. I’m glad you like it, Holly. I was so worried you’d just hate it or something!” The sun’s light was turning from day to afternoon.

  “Let’s go home right now and soak up the place,” I suggested, “have some more wine.”

  “I’m game,” Andy said, looking rosy cheeked and more contented than I’d ever seen him, almost dreamy-eyed. It was hitting all of us. That we were here.

  *****

  Things began to heat up in the car ride with all three of us in the back. I was eating up what felt like the most fun night of my life, just the sheer overwhelming feeling of love and open possibilities was intoxicating.

  “What are we going to do tonight?” I said in the most tantalizing, smiling way, placing both hands on their legs boldly.

  They both floundered and barely made out, “I don’t know.” I guess they were waiting to see what I was going to do.

  Walking through our new ebony mahogany double-leaf doors leading to our 17-foot foyer, I felt like a princess of my castle. I strolled into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine, eyeing it and handing it to Cash, closely between our chests in an almost embrace, and near to his face asking if he’d like to open our first house bottle. He had this look of pleasure and contentment on his face, anticipation in there somewhere, wonder, and he only smiled.

  I was off to my bedroom, scoring the large master as the woman and with the most belongings and need for closet space, which I was now in no shortage of. I touched up my makeup just a bit, I don’t wear much, just a light bit of color, and took note of how wonderfully sweet and sultry my hair was turning out to be for the evening.

  I stepped out to our living room. The three of us stood for a toast which Andy proclaimed, “To us”, and we all agreed with saying so, “to us.”

  Andrew put on some light French music, sophisticated, relaxing, and romantic. We walked out to our 2500 square foot terrace and lounged, soaking up all of that good New York City vibe feeling. I decided not to be shy and sat on Cash’s lap. He blushed, but he was so happy that I did, so happy to be close. We were like high school kids on a first date or something! The guys were talking about how they were going to make their first millions and I was happy Holly, just enjoying a warm summer breeze at sunset amidst my darling life.

  After hopping up to visit the girl’s room, I returned and this time sat on Andrew’s lap. What a sweetheart, I love him so much. This whole new idea of getting closer to him was really quite touching and I felt thankful. He hugged me and kept me close. We all felt grateful, truly on top of the world. I let them chat and occasionally softly ran my hand on his face, exploring his sweet cheek and chin, or caressing and holding his hand.

  “I love you guys,” I said sappily against a pinking sky. Andy tightened his squeeze.

  Cash spoke. “Holly, you’re the sweetest thing. You’re the best, babe.”

  Our first night went on this way with gushing and chatting and loving and squeezing. The three of us were just basking in the glory of what we had formed after all these years without even knowing it, or trying. We could have gone on as friends, or moved on to seek out other things in life, but instead we took something so rich with goodness that we’d cultivated and lived in and allowed it to blossom. We were in awe of the fact that we were even here and all of us were just loving every minute of it and each other.

  In the morning I made breakfast for us all and we lounged around in robes, talking about how to decorate the place. We were gifted with an exquisite all-white suite that was quite elegant and sexy, but I had blues and golds dancing around in my dreamy head.

  We thought to take it up a notch and fancy up the place. Andrew said he’d have someone come over and show us some options, a designer friend of his. He was busy, though, in getting in with this law firm and so was off to work right away, but looking sexy as hell doing it. Cash was into the thick of it right away, too, down to take on the world. It wasn’t long before the random calls would come in where he’d just hoot and yell all of a sudden and then saunter over, grinning, to announce a multi-million dollar deal. The boys were rolling in success in no time and I was all about town just as quick.

  It didn’t take long for me to discover a few favorite cafes, but what I really loved was that New York is filled with so many choices. Things always felt new to me if I looked hard enough or went exploring in a different direction. I kept myself on a pretty keen schedule between jogging, shopping, Pilates, shopping, and other forms of working out and shopping.

  And then there was mom. One of the best parts about moving to the city was that mother lived here and I had only seen her on visits for the last three years since she moved for work. We would meet up quite regularly for lunch, tea, gallery perusing, openings and events, and you name it. It was great fun all except she flat out refused to go shopping with me, something about putting her time in already in years past.

  The best part was that she eventually did stop pestering and prodding me about Cash and Andy. I made the mistake early on of being honest with her and she pretty much flipped out. But after some time, she came to see the idea as more casual as I did, and what might almost be called acceptance seeped in. It was a good thing because I couldn’t stand choosing if I had to.

  In that way we had all been blessed to have all of our parents come to terms with our decision. We joked that they all probably figured it was a phase that would blow up eventually, but we knew we had something more special.

  It wasn’t long before Cash proclaimed we were going out for a celebration dinner and said he’d have a car around that evening at 7. It was about 11 in the morning when I’d gotten that message and so off I went to shop for something new and special to wear. We were going to one of the city’s finest restaurants and hotspots, Restaurant Daniel.

  My jaw dropped in the dressing room when I put on this one gown, a Carolina Herrera silk tuxedo gown. The all-black gown was pure silk, a sleeveless halter, accented with satin lapels and trim, and featured a train at the back hem. Divine, and exactly what I was looking for.

  *****

  We would all be arriving separately but I had a feeling the guys would have already arrived. To my surprise I was told no one had. I was escorted to our table, which was nestled in an obviously specially reserved spot, a quite sophisticated and sexy Venetian tented enc
lave. I sat happily and started a glass of wine, admiring the fresh flowers for only a few moments in anticipation before hearing the familiar suave voice of Cash ring out before it neared. Both men entered our little tented area.

  I rose to kiss them, “Quite the table, hotshot,” I said as I greeted Cash.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” he said and pulled my hand up to half twirl me to each side to admire my gown. “You look like you own the town, and I feel like we’re starting to!” he said, full of himself just slightly.

  Andy just stood smiling waiting for a turn to greet me properly. He kissed me on the cheek and whispered into my ear, “You look fucking hot.”

  “You are a sweetheart,” I replied almost bashfully before regaining confidence, “and one of the luckiest,” and touched his chin and smiled.

  I have to admit I knew I was a knockout, the lipstick didn’t hurt either. We had the most decadent feast and loved our table. It was on that first night there that we decided that would be one of ‘our spots’, and since then it surely has been. It wasn’t just the fine food that made it so memorable, though. Something about how ecstatic Cash was to have landed this deal, coupled with Andrew’s latest win gave them a surge allowing them to throw back and indulge. That and the wine gave way to our most sensual evening yet as a triad.

  The conversation teetered between business, comedy and sex all night.

  “You know what I’m wondering,” Andy said swirling wine in his glass. “Who gets the first kiss?” This was completely off topic which went perfectly along with how our conversations were going. I put my head in my hands with elbows on the table and gazed dreamily at the thought of it. He glanced at Cash and back at me and back at his wine.