“That’s not what I asked.”
He grins. “I know. But do you really want to know the answer to that?”
“Yes, I want honesty always. No matter how ugly the truth is. I’d pick that every time. I’m a lawyer; I just want the facts, not the bullshit.” And I’m prepared for the answer.
“Okay, we have slept with the same women before—”
“Together?” I press.
He winces and rubs his thumb along my jawline. “Okay, yes, we have. We didn’t touch each other, because that would be weird, but we fucked the same chick, yes.”
“And thatwasn’tweird?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral. I don’t want him to think I’m judging him, because then he won’t tell me anything ever again.
But low-key, Iamjudging him a little. But not in a grossed-out way. More in a “how does that work?” way. I think anyone would be curious.
“Not really,” he replies with a shrug. “But we haven’t done that shit in a long time, and it was a one-time thing—we haven’t done it since. You’re also the first person I’ve ever admitted that to.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise.
We continue our walk and then head back to the car. When he drops me home, he walks me to the door, and doesn’t try to come inside. In fact, I offer him coffee, but he declines and says he better get back to the clubhouse.
He does kiss me, though, a gentle, sweet kiss, and then he leaves.
Sitting down on my couch, I pick up the phone and call Cara to recap the date.
“How was it?” she asks without even saying hello. “Is Atlas in or is he out?”
“Oh, he’s in,” I reply, unable to stop smiling.
He’s so in.
Atlas: Good morning. Plans tonight?
After texting me when he got home from the date, we’ve both been messaging back and forth for the last few days.
Natalie: I’m going out to eat with Cara and Decker. Want to come?
Normally that would be a big step, but we’ve already all hung out together, and everyone knows everyone.
Atlas: Tell me when and where and I’ll be there.
Atlas: Can Aries and CJ come too?
Natalie: Of course they can.
I send Cara a text giving her a heads-up.
Natalie: Atlas is coming to dinner with Aries and CJ.
Cara: My my, already coming to the family events.
Natalie: Only because he already knows you all.
Any other man and it would have been kept very separate from my family until we have been seeing each other for a few months at least, and until we decided to be official with each other.
But Atlas is different.
And that seems to be the theme here.