MILLIE
I didn’t leave Caleb’s apartment all weekend long. On Saturday, cold rain tapped against the windows as we slept in together. We played card games and Caleb told me more about his family and his childhood in Houston. He showed me how he made his beloved morning coffee, and most importantly, we never once worried about the world beyond those walls. We didn’t stop to question how it might affect our working relationship or our roles at the university. When Caleb opened his eyes to meet mine Sunday morning, nothing stopped him from kissing me and taking more.
I only left our bubble once Sunday afternoon. As Caleb took a shower, I stepped outside in my slippers and a coat from his front hall closet. The world was still damp and icy from the rain, but I wanted to make one phone call in private.
“Hello, beautiful,” Vladimir greeted me from the other end.
“Hey, how’s the conference going?”
“Good,” he answered, “but it’s even better hearing your voice.”
I carried on with the pretense for a few moments, curious to hear how he was doing. Though I loved my time with Caleb, it didn’t change how I felt about Vlad. It didn’t keep me from hoping he was okay or recalling how good it felt to be with him.
“I’ll be coming back Tuesday night,” he reminded me. “I was thinking that we could spend Wednesday together before the university opens.”
“I’d love that,” I replied eagerly, “but Vlad, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“I’m listening.”
I sighed. “I’ve decided I want to explore a relationship with Caleb Harrow. I think you’ve met him once.”
“The astronomy professor that you’re working with?”
“Don’t judge me too harshly,” I insisted playfully. “I know it’s such a cliché, a woman and her sort-of-boss.”
Vlad’s laugh rumbled through the phone line. “No, no, I don’t blame him. I couldn’t imagine keeping myself composed with you in my office all day.”
“I know you said you were open to being non-monogamous,” I continued, “but I didn’t want to do anything behind your back. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t trust me.”
“Well, can I still see you Wednesday?”
“Of course.”
“Then, we are more than fine,” he assured me. “I’ll always trust you, Millie. I don’t doubt that.”
“Thank you,” I said softly. “You know, when you say things like that, it makes me regret that you’re hundreds of miles away.”
“I do know, beautiful, but we can make up for it and more on Wednesday.”
We talked for a few more minutes before I wished Vlad well. As the mist picked up again, I headed back inside and finished my Sunday with Caleb. I never hid that I called Vlad. Caleb knew before I called him what I was going to do, but even in a relationship like ours, we all deserved a certain level of privacy.
“Are things going well in New York?” Caleb said as we fixed dinner together.
“From what it sounds like, I think so,” I replied. “There’s been a lot of interest in his group, other investors and all that. I didn’t dwell too much on the jargon he used, but Vlad sounded confident, excited even.”
“Good for him,” Caleb offered politely. “Now, tell me, do you want wine or tea with your pasta?”
I smiled. “Why not both?”
There was no reason I couldn’t have two drink glasses sitting with me at the kitchen table, and there was no real reason I couldn’t have both of these professors. With our feet brushing together under together and our bodies curled up against each other on the couch, I knew I could build a life shared with Caleb and Vlad. I didn’t doubt that this could work.
My only worry was that one of the men might change their minds.
Based on the way I found Caleb, I wasn’t positive that his agreement to share me had been absolute. He was in a fragile place, alone and eager to be with me. As Monday rolled around, I know I couldn’t leave without being sure. I fixed my coffee that morning, stirring my salted caramel creamer as Caleb finished packing in the bedroom. I went to go find him, and as I sipped my coffee, I couldn’t help but notice the afterglow of our morning sex still lingered on his face. Caleb was looking like a far different man than the one I found Friday.
“You’ve got everything?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he agreed, glancing over the black suitcase. “The funeral home is sending my brother’s ashes down today. I’ll be there to pick him tomorrow before the funeral.”