Page 52 of Prelude of Love
“Eager to nail down the details?” He laughed at my attempt to change the subject. “How’s seven?”
“Seven’s perfect since I don’t have rehearsals tomorrow.” I tried to keep my tone casual, but hisknowing look told me I wasn’t fooling anyone. “Should I bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
My stomach flipped at the thought of being alone with the husbands at their house. “I can manage that. Can I have your number so you can text me your address?”
“Real smooth,” Early teased, holding his hand out.
I made a profile for him before passing him my phone to enter his number. When he returned it, the time made me groan. “Shit, I need to get to rehearsal.”
“Can’t keep Rook waiting.” He stood with me, his expression fond. “We’ll see you tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” I gathered my things, trying to ignore how my heart raced at the prospect. “Thanks for the invitation.”
As I headed for the door, Early called after me. “Try not to spend all day thinking about it!” His laughter followed me outside.
Walking to Hurly-burly, I couldn’t shake the weird flutter in my chest. It was supposed to be a hot threesome with an attractive married couple. No strings, no complications. That was my whole thing.
So why did I keep imagining what it would be like to wake up sandwiched between them?
I forced myself to ignore such dangerous thoughts. It was only dinner with two incredibly sexy men whowere married to each other and seemed interested in me. And I’d get to fuck and be fucked by, if I was lucky.
My phone buzzed with a text from Early with his address, followed by a winking emoji. I saved it, already counting the hours until seven.
Everything was fine. I could handle dinner without getting attached. I was Chance fucking Prince, who didn’t do relationships.
But if that was true, why did the thought of sitting across from Duke and Early make my chest tight in ways that had nothing to do with sex?
Chapter Fourteen
DUKE
I stood in the kitchen,chopping vegetables while Early flitted around me like an excited hummingbird. He hummed Chance’s latest song under his breath, making me want to grab him and kiss the smug smile off his face.
“The roast is coming along perfectly.” He peeked in the oven for the fifth time in ten minutes. “And these potatoes will be amazing once they’re done. You always make the best mashed potatoes.”
“They’re nothing special.” I focused on dicing carrots, though my knife work wasn’t as steady as usual.
“Mm-hmm.” His knowing tone made me chop harder. “And you definitely didn’t spend twenty minutes picking out the perfect wine earlier.”
“It’s called being a good host.”
“And you constantly checking your watch has nothing to do with counting down until seven o’clock?”
I set the knife down with more force than necessary. “I’m making sure everything will be ready on time.”
Early wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, pressing his cheek between my shoulder blades. “Remember when Bolton came over for dinner that first time? You were just as nervous back then.”
I sighed at the memory. “That was different.”
“Was it?” Early’s fingers traced patterns on my stomach. “Because you were tense until he got here. Then it turned into three amazing years.”
“Bolton was different,” I insisted, though the words felt hollow. “He lived and worked here in Sunnyside. Chance is passing through for his movie.”
“Yeah, and Bolton was only supposed to be a fun weekend.” Early’s laugh vibrated against my back. “Yet that turned into years of happiness until he moved to Wintervale.”
I turned in his arms, meeting his knowing gaze. “Are you suggesting we could have Chance for years? It’s impossible when he’ll go back to LA when filming wraps.”
