Then it’s Monday again. I lounge in my pajamas and sleep, then when I’m feeling better, head to the tea shop to hang out while Tilly works. I update her on the entire saga, and by the time I’m done, a few customers are also listening raptly.
“So what are you gonna do?” she asks, cleaning out a strainer. “Move in with them?”
My mouth falls open. “I don’t even know what kind of relationship we have now.” Certainly nothing I could describe with a traditional label.
“Well, if you plan on trying for another baby…” She waggles a brow.
I cover my mouth. “What?! That’s not on the agenda. I’m just trying to get through the next few days.”
Tilly shrugs and moves on to serving a customer, and I end up stepping in to help when a rush comes in, even though I’m not supposed to be there and I’m not even getting paid.
The thought of trying to get pregnant again hadn’t even crossed my mind. I simply figured it was all over now. But maybe someday I can still help them get what they wanted.
Around three o’clock, I get a text from Mangelli.
Hey babe. Can I come see you?
It’s so casual, as if we’re dating, that I don’t know what to say at first.
Sure. I’m just sitting around.
I’d love to sit around with you.
I hop up onto my knees on the couch.
Then come on over.
He shows up not twenty minutes later, smiling like a huge dork.
“Sorry, I’m kind of sweaty,” Mangelli says, flopping down on the cushions beside me. “Last class of the day played basketball, and I always get too into it.”
I wonder if being a satyr gives him an advantage at basketball.
He puts an arm around me and brings me in against his side as he asks me about my day. It’s so easy to chat with him, an hour passes in no time at all. But a loud ringing interrupts us, and I cover my ears.
“Sorry,” he says, pulling out his phone as it blasts a ringtone. “It’s Bennett. He must be getting off work.” He taps the screen and answers. “Howdy. I’m at Bree’s house.”
I can’t hear what Bennett’s saying, but Mangelli turns to me and asks, “Can Bennett join us?”
“Of course.”
Bennett arrives a little while later, and we all curl up in front of a cooking show. It’s not long before Jack gets off work, too, and also decides to come over.
“I’ll cook!” Bennett says. “Maybe Jack can pick stuff up on the way over.”
When Jack arrives, I’m not sure how to greet him. I stick out a hand to shake, and he gives it a perplexed look. Then he takes my hand, encircles it with both of his palms, and lowers his head until the tip of his nose is touching my knuckles.
“It’s good to see you again,” he says in a quiet voice, like he’s trying not to scare off an animal. Then he releases me and gives me something I haven’t seen from him before: a tentative smile. “I brought food.”
We all sit and chat amiably while Bennett cooks. When I offer to help, he shoos me away. My apartment is small for four full-grown adults, but they don’t seem to mind.
I learn about what Jack does for work—upper management at a shipping and logistics firm—and it’s clear he takes his job seriously. Mangelli whines that Jack works too much.
“Guess someone has to bring home the bacon,” Mangelli says with a sigh. “Not like I’m getting a promotion anytime soon.”
Jack rubs his shoulder. “What you do is still valuable. We need someone who’s good with kids.”
My heart softens watching them. Jack clearly loves his husbands and values each of their contributions.
