The Thing About Us: A MMF Bisexual Romance

by Jennifer Domenico

  “I care for you too.” She squeezes my hand. “A lot. More than I can put into words right now.”

  I pinch her chin. “I’ll take that.”

  Chapter 31 Ben

  After parting ways with Luc, I head up to the Executive Suite to see Jake. I’ve never initiated a meeting before, but this is the only way to accomplish what I want. I knock on his door.

  “Enter.”

  Straightening my shoulders, I walk in and smile. “Hi, Jake. Thanks for seeing me.”

  “Anytime.” He leans forward on his desk, folding his hands. “Please don’t tell me you came to give your resignation.”

  My eyes widen. “No. Definitely not. Why would you think that?”

  “Eh, a lot of account managers get big heads when they land a big deal.”

  I shake my head. “No, nothing like that.”

  “Okay. Please sit.”

  I take a seat then take a brief moment to compose myself. “I wanted to get your thoughts on a proposal I have.”

  His brow furrows. “A sales proposal?”

  “No. A personal one. Would you be open to allowing me to work out of the San Fran office for a few weeks?”

  “For the purpose of?”

  “It’s a city I’m interested in living in. As my career grows here, maybe it could be an option.”

  Jake studies my face for a few seconds that honestly feel like an hour. “I would think you’ve been informed of my bullshit radar by this point in your career. What’s really going on?”

  I clear my throat. “Okay, Jake, you’re right. I was just trying to keep my personal life out of this discussion, but I could use a change of scenery for a few weeks. Just to clear my head.”

  “Is this work related? Did you have a falling out with Luc or something?”

  “No, not at all. We’re good. It’s outside of here.”

  He studies my face and I hope he doesn’t call bullshit on me again. “We can do that, Ben. You can work out of San Fran. I’ll let Leah know to get your building access set up and book a visitor office. Two weeks good enough?”

  “Great. Thanks, Jake.”

  “You’re welcome.” I start to stand, but he raises his hand. “Since you’re here, I’ll tell you something.”

  “Yes?”

  “I have high expectations of you and your career here. Whatever’s going on in your life, take the two weeks to clear it out and then come back refreshed and ready. Bainbridge will take a lot of your energy, and if things keep going well, you could very well see a promotion before year end.”

  I nod, smiling. “Thank you, Jake. I plan to do exactly that. I won’t let you down.”

  “Good.”

  I exit his office and then head straight for Luc’s. I don’t want him to hear it from someone else. I knock on his door, peering inside.

  “Hey, Luc. Busy?”

  “Not for you. Come in.”

  I sit down in his chair and we just hold each other’s gaze for a moment. “I’m going to San Fran for two weeks.”

  He doesn’t react. “For?”

  “I asked Jake if I could work out of that office. I thought a change of environment might be good for me.”

  He nods. “It’s a great city.”

  “It is. Just two weeks.”

  “Great. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Of course. Uh, did Georgie mention Saturday’s plans?”

  “She did. Did you ask Kate?”

  “Not yet. On my way to her desk next.”

  “Let us know.”

  “I will.” I notice right away how neutral his reaction is to me. I know Georgie is responsible. On the one hand, I miss it so much, that tension that constantly pulls us together, but this is the right thing. This is what I need. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

  I stand to leave but hear his voice. “Ben?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re coming back, right?”

  “Absolutely. My life is here. I just need a break.”

  “I understand.” He smiles, and when he stands, my heart beats a little faster. Is he going to kiss me again? Fuck, I want him to. I wonder if there will ever be a time when I don’t. He pats my shoulder. “I only want infinite happiness for you, Ben. You know that, right?”

  “I do.”

  “Good.” He smiles, pulling his hand away. “Let us know about Saturday.”

  He turns back to his desk and I walk out slowly, shaking my head. What’s harder, loving Luc or trying to pretend I don’t?

  I head over to Finance. I hope she wants to go and I hope somehow, I can focus on her and a potential relationship. We hit it off before. Maybe we will again. I trust Georgie that she and Luc will do their best to neutralize our attraction in front of her. This is just friends going out to dinner. I'll know we can have a normal relationship.

  Kate’s sitting at her desk, with her head down, tapping a pencil on her bottom lip. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, studying the papers in front of her.

  “Kate?”

  She looks up and a huge smile spreads across her face. “Hi, Ben.”

  “Got a minute?”

  “Yeah.”

  I lean on the edge of her desk, ignoring the curious glances of her coworkers. “Luc and Georgie asked if we could join them for dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Oh? You want me to meet your friends?”

  “You already know Luc. You’re just meeting Georgie.”

  “Sounds great.”

  I smile. “Good. I’ll let them know we’re in and let you know the details later today.”

  “Okay.”

  I pinch her chin and wink before leaving and heading back to my desk. As I sit staring out the window, I let my thoughts wander. San Francisco will be a good change of pace. Even for just a couple of weeks to break the tension between us. It’ll give Georgie and Luc time to focus on themselves without worrying about me. It’ll be good.

  ∞∞∞

  On Saturday at six-thirty, I ring Kate’s doorbell and wait. She opens it and smiles, wearing a simple black dress and heels. She looks nice, classy. “Hi, Ben.”

  “Hi.” I kiss her cheek. “Ready?”

  “I am.” She locks the door behind her and we walk down to my car. “Oh, a Porsche. Nice.”

  “Thanks. It’s an older model so I got a good deal.”

  She just smiles as I open the passenger door for her. After I join her on the other side, I offer a smile, hoping I feel some kind of spark. Right now, nothing. What happened to me?

  “Did you have a good week?” she asks.

  “Um, yeah it was good. You?”

  “Busy. One of our girls is pregnant and had to go on bedrest so we’re short until we can get a temp.”

  “Ah, that’s rough.”

  She shrugs. “What are you gonna do?”

  “Right.”

  We drive through town to the restaurant and I feel my nerves kicking in. How do I make sure she doesn’t pick up on my feelings for Luc? Maybe I just need to accept I’m fucking gay. I don’t want Kate at all. I want Luc. All the fucking time. But then… fuck. Georgie.

  “You okay?”

  I glance at Kate. “Why?”

  “That was a long sigh.”

  “Oh. Um, nothing.” I smile. “I’m good. Just thinking about something at work.”

  “Okay.”

  I pull up to valet and step out handing my keys to the attendant. Kate joins me on the sidewalk and we enter the restaurant. I look around for a moment and see Luc waving in my direction. I smile and lead Kate by the arm to them. When we reach them, both Luc and Georgie stand.

  “Kate, you know Luc of course. This is Georgie.”

  Kate extends her hand and Georgie shakes it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” Georgie says.

  We all sit and I force myself to tear my eyes away from the two most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. Luc in his damn blue dress shirt that makes every gorgeous feature on his face pop, and Georgie,
stunning in a creamy dress with thin straps. Since I want to crawl across this table and kiss her bare shoulders, maybe I need to rethink the gay scenario.

  “Ben?”

  I realize Kate is speaking to me. “Yeah, sorry. What’s up?”

  “I asked if you’ve been here before?”

  “No. It was Georgie’s choice.”

  Georgie smiles. “We’ve brought clients here before so I knew the food is good.”

  Kate nods, low key studying Georgie as she reviews the menu. “What do you for work?”

  Georgie glances up. “Corporate Trainer for a financial company. You? Oh, you work with Ben, right?”

  “I work in the same company, but I’m in finance.”

  Georgie smiles and sips her water as Luc and I exchange glances. “Should we order a bottle of wine for the table?” Luc asks.

  I smile. “Great idea. You decide. You’re the one with the fancy taste in wine.”

  Georgie laughs. “Fancy taste in lots of things I’m learning. He had to explain to me what a Sous Vide is the other night.”

  I glance at Kate and she shrugs. “Yeah, don’t know what that is.”

  I laugh. “Me neither.”

  Luc chuckles. “A cooking method.”

  The server appears and Luc orders wine in his delicious accent, and I suddenly understand this is going to be a lot harder than I hoped. It’s like a rope tied around my neck pulling me toward them. Only sheer willpower is holding me in this chair right now.

  Once the server is gone, Kate smiles. “So how did you meet Luc, Georgie?”

  Georgie doesn’t miss a beat. “At a coffee shop.”

  She laughs softly. “So you can pick up men at coffee shops.”

  “I did the picking up,” Luc says, not smiling in his response.

  “Well, of course you would. Georgie is a beautiful woman. How long have you been dating?”

  Georgie and Luc exchange glances. “Um, a few weeks I guess.”

  “Oh. Cool.”

  The server drops off the wine and after meeting Luc’s approval, fills our glasses. We clink glasses and take a sip.

  “Do you know what day you’re going up to San Francisco?” Luc asks.

  “Monday, I think.”

  “You’re going to San Francisco?” Kate asks.

  “Oh, yeah just for two weeks.”

  “Why?”

  “Work.”

  “What kind of work?”

  My eyes meet Luc’s who looks appalled. He hates people who pry. “Kate, I asked to work out of the San Francisco office for two weeks just because I want to explore the city.”

  “Oh.” She nods. “Are you thinking about moving there or something?”

  “No.”

  She sips her wine without responding to me. “This is very good. Where did you learn so much about wine, Luc?”

  “It’s a hobby of mine. I enjoy a nice wine with a good dinner we’re about to have. Although, lately I’ve been drinking a lot of Jack.”

  “And tequila,” Georgie adds.

  “That too.”

  “Goes great with cake.” I shoot her a look as she just starts laughing. Kate looks confused. “Sorry, Kate, inside joke. I have this thing about cake lately.”

  She’s quiet for a moment, studying her wine glass. “Funny, you have inside jokes with Luc and Georgie.” That was legit jealousy in her tone.

  “That’s what happens when you have very close relationships with people,” Georgie says, clearly making a point. “Like I have with Ben and Luc.”

  Kate focuses on her wine glass, but slowly raises her eyes to meet Georgie’s. “It’s sort of weird to be that close to your boyfriend’s best friend, isn’t it?”

  “Why don’t you not worry about it. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Oh shit. Luc jumps into action, nuzzling Georgie’s neck and whispering something in her ear. She narrows her eyes, but nods.

  “May I suggest a subject change?” Luc adds with his charming accent.

  The server comes right on time and we order our food. I can tell Kate is still agitated, and I just want this night to end so I can get out of this situation. This is not going well.

  “Well, Ben, I just love San Fran. Maybe I can pop up on the weekend, and we can go out or something.”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  “I don’t know why you would do that, Benny, when you’re going there for a very specific reason.”

  “Benny?” Kate says, as though the word disgusts her.

  I close my eyes for a moment. Now Georgie’s just starting shit. “Yeah, that’s why I said maybe.”

  “I thought you said you were just going to check out the city?”

  I exhale slowly, but before I can speak, Georgie chimes in. “Alone. So he can check out the city alone.”

  “Why do you know so much about Ben’s trip and I just heard about it?”

  Georgie puts her fork down. “Because I’m one of his best friends and you’re not.”

  “You’re Luc’s girlfriend.”

  “And? What the fuck is it to you?”

  “Okay, ladies.” I raise my hand. “Let’s take a step back and cool things off.”

  Kate puts her napkin on the table. “I need to go freshen up.”

  “Bye,” Georgie says, eyes narrowed and claws figuratively out.

  Kate stomps off and I exhale slowly. “You promised, Georgie.”

  “She instigated it. She’s acting ridiculously possessive over you.” She grabs my hand. “That’s not going to work and you know it. You belong to us.”

  I pull my head back. “Belong?” My eyes shift to Luc. “Are you going to say something?”

  “Georgie’s right, mate. She’s embarrassingly clingy. You don’t need it.”

  Georgie, still holding my hand, leans closer. “Look at me, Ben.”

  “What?”

  “You can do better. You deserve better. Don’t let this bullshit with us make you settle for someone as a distraction who doesn’t deserve you. She’s pretty and seems nice enough, but a clingy jealous bitch is unacceptable for my Ben. How will we do our thing with that kind of situation?”

  “I know.”

  “Although you’re acting a bit jealous yourself, love. We promised Ben to guard our relationship.”

  Georgie frowns. “Luc’s right. I’m sorry. I just don’t like her for you.”

  “Can we just get through the rest of this and I’ll get her home?”

  “Promise me you’ll cut her loose. You’re miserable right now.”

  “I promise, Georgie.”

  She smiles, releasing my hand. When Kate returns, she seems to have composed herself. She sits down, but glares at me.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Perfect, Ben. Thank you for asking.”

  My eyebrow rises, and Luc just shakes his head. After we finish eating, I just want to get out of here, but the server comes over carrying a tray of desserts.

  “Ooh, look at the delicious cake,” Georgie says. “Is it chocolate?”

  The server nods. “Death by chocolate. Seven layers of cake and mousse. It’s perfect to share for two, maybe three.”

  “Oh, not four.” She looks straight at Kate. “Too bad.”

  Kate looks away and crosses her arms but remains silent.

  “We’ll take that to go,” Luc says. “Can you just bring the check please?”

  “Certainly, sir,” she says before walking off.

  We sit in tense silence for several minutes. “Mate?” I look up at Luc. “I’ll settle the tab. We can figure it out later.”

  I nod. “Yeah, thanks.”

  My eyes shift between him and Georgie before leading Kate by the arm out to valet. There’s an awkward silence between us until we’re in the car.

  “You could’ve stuck up for me in there.”

  I exhale, rolling my eyes. “I don’t really understand why you were so aggressive to Georgie. She’s a good friend of mine.”

  “
Yeah, I know. She flaunted that in my face a million times. She started it.”

  “That sounds very childish, Kate.”

  “Whatever. You should have defended me.”

  “In what way?”

  “In the way a man defends the woman he’s with.”

  “I’m not with you, Kate. We’re on a date. Only our second date. I don’t owe you an explanation of any aspect of my life. I had hoped you would hit it off with them because they are my life.” My own words hit me like a wall of bricks.

  She sits silent with her arms crossed until I pull up in front of her building. I’m just ready for her to leave.

  “You need to choose.”

  I turn my head to face her. “Choose what?”

  “Between me or them.”

  I pull my head back completely shocked. “Are you fucking serious?”

  “Yes. Georgie obviously doesn’t like me, so if you want to continue seeing me, you’ll have to choose, or at least understand that we can’t spend time with them.”

  My mouth falls open at the sheer audacity. “Sweetheart, you are delusional if you think this is a choice. Luc and Georgie will always be number one in my life, and any person I date will have to not only understand that but embrace it.” I reach across her and open her car door. “Do yourself a favor and forget about me. If you contact me, it won’t go well for you.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She looks at me for a moment as her face falls. I guess she thought she could pull off this power play, but she’s wrong. She steps out of the car, and I drive off as soon as the door is closed. Once I get around the corner, I pull over and rub my forehead. What a fucking disaster.

  Chapter 32 Luc

  “Do you think I should call him?”

  Georgie kicks off her heels. “No. Let him decide what to do next.” She leans her forehead on my chest. “I tried, Luc.”

  “Not very hard, darling.”

  “I went in wanting to like her, but she was a complete idiot. She was jealous of me right from the beginning and kept digging at me. She didn’t try either.”

  “True. Ben said the last he spoke to her she showed a possessive streak as well, but tonight it was full on.”

  “He can do better. Way better.”

  “Of course he can.” I rub her back. “I’m sure he knows you were just looking out for him as a friend.”