“I think it’s possible,” he says, evading my eyes, perusing the view.
“Seriously?”
He meets my eyes.
“Yes.”
The sun curls up between his lashes.
“I think what we feel is real. And it’s a form of love. It’s unconventional and wild. You can have feelings for three men if there are no boundaries and no commitments. And a man who loves you…”
He stops, observing my reaction.
His eyes dip to my lips, and I feel like he is talking about himself.
“Can share you with another man…” he continues.
I wait to hear more.
He only smiles.
“But… I sense a ‘but’ coming,” I say.
“But… There comes a time when your heart wants one man and one man only. And at that time, that man will want you to be exclusive with him.”
His smile is bittersweet, and I have a feeling he is talking about himself again.
“It’s just a different form of love, and I’m not saying one is better than the other. I think they’re different stories. I also think true love changes a person. What seems natural at one moment might feel strange down the road. And the other way around. At any rate… I think…”
I hang onto his every word.
“I think we’re all ready for whatever is about to happen. When the time comes, if it comes, I will still consider myself a lucky man.”
“Please don’t say that.”
He laughs, a smile brightening his eyes.
“It’s the story I have to tell myself, cariño… The only way I can protect myself.”
His eyes go to the house.
“He’s minutes behind us. We can go and––“
I slide my hand over his.
“I want to tell you something.”
He moves his eyes to me.
“I may never say this to you again,” I continue.
His smile fades.
“Did you feel what I had felt last night on that boat? When you had pushed me up against that wall?”
His eyes go vacant, darkening a little. I almost expect him to deny what we both witnessed.
“Yes. Yes, I did.”