the common sense to respond in a socially acceptable manner. But my frown turns to an out and out smile when I see Knox’s car in our driveway. He’s home earlier than usual. Saturday is typically the busiest day of the week for him at the gallery.
Pulling my Mercedes in next to his beloved ’78 Bronco, I’m out of the door and heading to our backyard entrance when the sound of laughter floats on the breeze, and my boyfriend’s voice is heard mingled with feminine giggles. I peek my head around the corner of the house, and my grin broadens as my gaze falls on Knox with the stunning Avery.
We didn’t talk about our mutual attraction to the beauty last night at all, but it was between us as we slept. We both loved the touch of a woman, but we’d never entertained anything more than the occasional hookup, not like our mutual friends who lived in Chicago. When we’d heard Clara committed to not just her new boyfriend but also to her ex-husband, we’d had a good laugh over it. Not that it wasn’t a brilliant idea, especially for two bisexual men like Knox and me, but it was the best scenario for Jack and Bodhi, who loved each other as well as Clara. But we knew it was a hard sell to find a girl we could give as much love to as we do with one another.
And it played through our minds last night even though we hadn’t articulated it. But it’s how well I know Knox. We both want her, and the fact I’ve only been in her presence for less than twenty minutes doesn’t negate our chemistry. And because my man once told me to just feel and not overthink, there’s something special about her.
My eyes remain on Knox as he pulls a box from Avery’s dainty hands. As though he can sense my stare, he twists his body to mine. “Hey, hon,” he calls out, and from the first time his lips touched mine, it’s what he’s called me. “Get your sexy ass over here and help us. This girl has the most shit. Even more than you and I do.”
I can always count on Knox to soften any situation with his humor. And it’s one of the many things I love about him. The list is too long when it comes to Knox because he just gets me.
“On my way.” I didn’t have any classes to teach today but had a lot of admin work. I’d dressed in a relaxed pair of jeans and a button-up shirt, sans the tie. When my voice floats over to where Avery and Knox both stand, her head turns, and our eyes meet—her emerald greens squeezing my heart. It’s simple beauty. She’s absolutely elegant.
As I approach them, sludging through a new coating of snow, my pulse begins to thump. I’ve never been really great with girls to begin with, and especially not ones I’m attracted to. The few girls I’d dated shared my love for science, but she’s out of my league on most days, especially after our little run-in.
“Hey there, Rowan,” she casually greets, not hesitating to hand me a box.
I’d normally do something with my hands like rake them through my hair or squeeze at the nape of my neck—all nervous habits of mine—but I can’t do that with the heavy box I’m now carrying into her home.
“Where are the movers?” See, I’m so out of touch with people that I don’t even say hello.
Knox, even with the box in his hands, leans over and gives me a welcoming kiss. “Hey, hon. I missed you today.”
Again, this is what Knox always says to me, and with his words, I believe I’m the most important person in his life. After the years of bullying, he understands how I need constant reinforcement.
As always, I relax into his touch, giving him a little wink because I’ve always been off about public displays of affection. “The movers are still here,” he explains, “but I thought I’d help, too.” He gives me a head jut, silently telling me to acknowledge Avery. But what I witness in her reaction to us is certainly not one of disgust. She gives me a genuine smile, and her face flushes with a cute cherry red blush.
“Hello, Avery. Once again, I want to apologize for yesterday. I hope your heart is back to its normal rhythm after your near cardiac arrest.”
This gives her pause, and