“Where?”
“In a pharmacy bag in the kitchen.”
I poured three shot glasses of whiskey and one of blue juice. Bringing them all out into the living room on a silver tray, I set them down on the coffee table. Interrupting Flynn and Bre in their celebration, I distributed the drinks.
We raised a glass together, all laughing. It was a strange but wonderful arrangement, with three traditionally alpha males in cooperation. Bre was at the center of our quartet, the delight of our eyes. I was thrilled that both Bre and my best friend Dex would be joining me in the greatest adventure of my life—parenthood. And I would put up with Flynn because he was important to Bre, and also because he was growing on me. A jealous shit is what he called himself, but I could see the foundation of his solitary heart beginning to crack. We were all in this together, for better or for worse, for rich or for poor. I found myself in love with everyone in my apartment, including the unborn baby that rightfully belonged to all of us.
EPILOGUE
MILLIE
Bre ghosted me for a while, but that was okay. The last time I talked to her, I got the feeling that she had a lot on her plate. I had moved to Dublin to help a professor with his research. I worked for the University of Chicago as an assistant to a professor of medieval studies. He was doing some archeological work, and I was doing the literature review.
That meant that a lot of my time was spent in libraries or going around to look at the architecture of various buildings. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but what I really liked doing was hanging out with friends on nights and weekends.
Ireland was wonderful. I really enjoyed all the men that I met, although none of them were exactly what I was looking for. They were friendly and helpful, sometimes strong and commanding, but I wanted someone a little bit more intellectual. In fact, I wanted a few someones.
I didn’t tell Bre, but I was also interested in the polyamorous lifestyle. From what little she told me, her situation sounded ideal. I knew she was interested in Flynn, her employer. And I had met Connor once at the club and knew he was cute. The only man that I hadn’t met was Dex, but Bre told me he was a doctor.
I was basically salivating over what she had. A doctor, a professor, and a businessman, all equally well respected in their own fields. She had the best of all three worlds, and enough love to last a lifetime.
I texted her occasionally. Sometimes when I was sitting at a café with friends, or when I was particularly frustrated with a certain resource, I picked up my phone. I heard about little Seanan’s trip to the emergency room, and about Flynn’s parents’ visit.
We talked occasionally, but I was still surprised when she invited me over.
“It’s been a long time,” she said over the phone.
I was in my own apartment, much less swanky than her digs. “It has been,” I agreed.
“You should come over.”
“I know you’re busy,” I replied.
“Stop,” she insisted. “I can’t be too busy for my best friend.”
“All right, if you send a car,” I laughed.
“I will,” she promised.
The next day, she sent Flynn’s driver to pick me up. It was a long black car that was polished until it reflected like a mirror. I felt super fancy as I stepped inside, allowing the coach to whisk me away to Breanna’s mansion.
She wasn’t working as a nanny anymore. She wasn’t Seanan’s mother, but she had stepped into that role. I knew she cared about the little girl more than anything, as much as the infant growing in her belly.
When I pulled up, Bre met me in the driveway. She wore upscale maternity clothes, a flowing ensemble that spoke of wealth and comfort. I gave her a hug, feeling the relaxation in her bones. She was at peace, and happier than I had ever seen her before.
She took me on a tour of the grounds. Seanan came outside, and together, we walked down to the pond. The little girl picked up some stones to throw into the water. Bre and I continued chatting.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around very much,” Bre said.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I assured her. “You have so much going on right now. How’s the baby?”
She was nearing her seventh or eighth month and looked well-rounded in the belly. I’d never had children, so I couldn’t imagine what she was going through.
“It’s doing fine.”
“Do you know the sex?” I asked.
“We’re waiting. We all decided that we want to be surprised.”