His mind is focused on the morning newspaper he insists on having delivered, and the smell of coffee wafts in the kitchen.
“Ro, hon?” I ask over by the sink. He peers above the front page of the local news section to give me his full attention.
“Yeah?” he asks. I pour his coffee in a favorite mug, and with the creamer held between my arms and side, I deposit our coffee on the table in front of him and then grab the container of creamer.
“What is it with our new neighbor, and what is it you want?” I’m direct because I don’t have time to dawdle, not when it’s obvious we both want Avery. His eyes swing over to the picture of our good friends, Clara and Bodhi, with their new partner, Jack, holding their son, Declan.
He points at it as if it’s his answer. “We both love women, but I’m content with you. Always have been. So I’ve never entertained what Clara and Bodhi share with their new man. Although, I’ll admit, I’ve never felt the tinge of lust and chemistry as I do with Avery. And after how we used her as a muse in our bed a couple of nights ago, I’d certainly entertain more. But only if we’re on the same page.”
I bring my coffee to my lips, taking a long sip to let Ro’s words sink in. “I can’t put my finger on it. The little bit of mystery I’m unable to put into words may be the very reason I want her.”
He takes a second to mull over my words, and I know what he looks like when his beautiful and wonderful mind is deep in thought. “You’re right, sweetheart. I’m not sure what it is about her, but a woman hasn’t turned me on like this for a long time.” He stops for a moment, taking a sip of his own coffee. “So, what is it you propose?”
“I think it’s time to continue to drop hints to our beautiful neighbor.” I’d explained to him last night about our conversation from the previous morning. “Let’s pursue her. She already knows we’re bisexual. See how she responds, and we can gauge her from there. Let’s say by the holiday party, if she hasn’t responded to our hints, we’ll make it as clear as day what we want from her.”
“And what is it you want, Knox?”
I point back at the picture of our college friends, now in a very committed triad. “I want that with her and you.”
A smirk pulls from his lips. “Me, too, but in all of that, we need to figure out what she wants, too. We can’t make this decision without her being a part of it.”
Ro reaches for my hands, bringing them to his lips and dropping a kiss onto them. I never thought I’d want someone like I want this man in front of me. But when the right person pops into your life, like Avery, you know. And both Ro and I know she’s the one we never knew we wanted, but now we can’t stop thinking about.
6
Rowan
It’s nearly six before I pull into our driveway. Knox’s Bronco is in front of the garage since we’ll never be able to park in it. For the past three days, it’s become our habit to walk to the front of the house in an attempt to catch a view of our neighbor. We never walk into the house via our front door, so I retrace my steps, opening the gate to our backyard, entering through the door we never seem to lock while we’re awake.
Instantly, I’m hit with female laughter. Two distinct feminine voices. The deep jet-black hair of Whitney is the first one I see. It’s not long until Avery pushes her face around her sister’s and rewards me with the most precious smile.
“Hello, ladies,” I begin, not looking either in the eyes. It’s unsettling to come home to company if I’ve not prepared myself, but at the same time, I don’t feel these emotions wash over me, not when Avery is in the room.
But I’m still me, and I need a chance to compose myself. “Yo, boy genius,” Whitney addresses me. I guess I can accept this nickname, though I’ve never been keen on them, except for Knox calling me Ro.
“Yo, emo girl,” I retort with my unusual quick-witted humor, and both Avery and Knox burst out in laughter.
“He’s got you there, little sis,” Avery retorts, and even Whitney is laughing.
“Score one for the boy genius,” Whitney sneaks in. “That was a good one.”
Knox has a beer in his hand for me, and he pulls me into an embrace, dropping a kiss on my lips. “Do you have a nickname for this one, too?” I ask, pointing at my man.
“Yeah, he’s Robin Hood since he came to the rescue with wine for Ave the other night.”
Avery lifts her wineglass, showing she’s partaking in what I think may be one of her favorite activities. “And are you still grounded, emo girl?” I ask again.
“You’re on a roll tonight, hon,” Knox praises.
“Well, fuck, score two for the doctor of paleontology,” Whitney concedes, a grin taking over her face, heavy with dark eyeliner.
“So, to what do I attribute this surprise?” I ask, pointing at Avery while purposely avoiding Whitney.
“Ah, you sting me, boy genius, but it’s a good thing your boyfriend has tempted me with food and my sister with wine,” she offers. And Avery has not had much of a chance to get a word in edgewise with her chatty sister.
“Knox offered to cook for us.” Avery finally speaks, and her tone instantly calms me.
Knox’s arms swing around my shoulders. “Yeah, I’m making a simple pasta tonight. And thought I’d tempt Avery without the thought of cooking.”
Simple for Knox in the kitchen isn’t simple at all. “What kind of pasta, sweetheart?” And my stomach starts complaining now that I think about how I skipped lunch today.
He must interpret my thought process. “It’s seriously the easiest dish, my creamy pasta pepperoni, so I can spend more time hanging out with all of you.”
And although I enjoy the ribbing with Avery’s sister, I wish it was simply the three of us.
Avery pushes her bowl of pasta away. “Hell, that was good. I think I may be coming over here for dinner every night.” I’m about to say it sounds like a plan when she turns her attention to Whitney. “Do you still have homework to do?” Ave lets out a small snort when her sister rolls her eyes. “Okay, so with the roll of your eyes, I’d say you do. March your small little ass home and start on it now that you’ve been fed.”
She stands, giving a little bow. “I bid you adieu, boy genius and Robin Hood. I’ll see you at our next dinner date.” She turns on her heels and is gone, and we’re left with Avery all to ourselves.
“Sorry about her teenage angst.”
Knox waves her off. “Nah, she’s funny. Of course, I don’t have to live with her emo self.”
Her demeanor changes as she pulls a lock of her straight dark mocha hair from in front of her emerald eyes. “She can be difficult, but then again, she’s the most important person in the world to me. Her father has had her for two years and pretty much let her raise herself. She’s responsible for a sixteen-year-old, but she shouldn’t have to worry about if her father paid rent or bought groceries.”
She’s opening up to us, and I’m hanging on whatever information she gives. “That’s rough,” Knox begins. “But there’s no doubt in my mind you’d do anything for her.”