Page 46 of Off Limits Daddies
I move to the table, grateful for the distraction. For the next hour, I help with homework, set the table, and try to be present for my boys. After dinner, I help them with their baths and bedtime routine and read them two chapters of their current favorite book, doing all the character voices they love. When I finally kiss them goodnight and close their bedroom door, exhaustion crashes over me.
In my own room, I change into pajamas and sit on the edge of my bed. My phone rests on the nightstand, silent and accusatory. I should be relieved that they haven't contacted me. Instead, I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.
At 9:47 p.m., my phone finally buzzes.
My heart lurches. I stare at the screen, Jack's name glowing in the darkness. My hand trembles as I unlock the phone and read the message.
The three of us have a proposal for you. Meet us at my house tomorrow night at eight.
19
MIA
I stand on Jack's front porch at exactly eight o'clock, my hand raised to knock, my heart hammering so hard I'm surprised it doesn't crack a rib. The twins are on an overnight field trip with their school, sleeping in tents and roasting marshmallows while their mother is about to face three men who know she's been sleeping with all of them.
And now, I know they will tell me to choose between them. My heart sinks. I'm so not prepared to do that!
The door opens before my knuckles make contact. Jack stands there in jeans and a dark sweater, his hazel eyes unreadable. He looks tired, like he hasn't slept well in days. Join the club.
"Mia." He steps aside. "Come in." His expression gives nothing away and I feel even more uncertain and uncomfortable.
I walk past him into the foyer, my legs unsteady. The living room opens to my right, and I see Blake and Noah already there. Blake sits on the couch, his broad shoulders filling out a gray henley that shows off his muscular arms. Noah stands by the window,his hands in his pockets, wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
All three of them. Together. Waiting for me.
"Please, have a seat," Jack says, gesturing to the armchair across from the couch.
I sink into it, gripping the armrests.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Jack asks. "Water? Wine?"
"Wine." My voice comes out scratchy. "Definitely wine." Hell, I wonder if he has anything stronger? I have a feeling I'm going to need it. But I don't ask and concentrate on staying here, sitting in this chair instead of bolting like every muscle in my body is demanding.
He disappears into the kitchen while Blake and Noah watch me with expressions I can't quite read. Blake's brown eyes are warm but serious. Noah's green ones are unreadable.
Jack returns with a glass of red wine and hands it to me. Our fingers brush and electricity shoots up my arm. He settles into the other armchair, creating a triangle with Blake on the couch and Noah still standing.
I take a long sip of wine, needing the liquid courage. "So. You wanted to talk."
"We have a proposal," Blake says, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Something we've discussed and agreed on."
My stomach clenches. "Okay."
"We know this situation is ... difficult for you," Noah adds quietly.
I nod, not trusting my voice, but I feel a rush of heat climb up from my throat to cover my face. I resist the urge to start fanning myself.
Jack's gaze locks on mine. "We don't want to force you to choose."
I blink. "What?"
"We want to share you," Blake says simply. "All three of us. Together."
The wine glass nearly slips from my fingers. "I'm sorry, what?"
"We've talked about this extensively," Jack continues, his voice steady and businesslike, like he's presenting a proposal to the school board. "Competing for you will only make things more difficult. For you and for us."
"So you want to..." I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.
