Page 56 of Prelude of Love
“Yes, and once he found out you’re my husband, it scared him off,” Early said with a laugh.
Duke snorted, already reaching for the wine bottleto top off Early’s glass before it was empty. “Someone has to keep the unworthy vultures away.”
“Says the man who growled at three different people for looking at me funny last week,” Early teased.
“They were undressing you with their eyes.”
I couldn’t stop staring at how natural they were together. The casual touches, the inside jokes, the way Duke’s hand settled on Early’s shoulder when he shifted in his chair, all spoke of years of comfortable intimacy.
Early turned his attention to me. “Speaking of disasters, Melody told me you’ve had some fun ones with cooking.”
I groaned, annoyed that my mom had shared that little tidbit. “Where do I start? There was the time I tried making pancakes for my mom’s birthday. I mixed up the salt and sugar measurements.”
“That’s not so bad,” Duke said. I appreciated him trying to salvage my ego.
“I also somehow set the spatula on fire.”
Early’s giggles were infectious, while Duke’s deep chuckle felt like a victory.
“That’s nothing,” I continued, riding the high of their amusement. “Last year, I attempted to make Christmas cookies. The recipe said to chill the dough for an hour. But I’m impatient, so I put it in the freezer to speed things up.”
“Oh, no,” Early groaned, already grinning.
I grinned. “Oh, yes. I got distracted and forgot about it for three hours. When I remembered, it was a dough-shaped rock. By the time I dethawed it, the cookies came out looking like hockey pucks and tasting like sweetened cement.”
Early wiped tears from his eyes while Duke’s shoulders shook with mirth. I’d never understood the appeal of domestic bliss before. My hookups were fun and uncomplicated, just the way I liked them. But watching them together, seeing how their love filled every corner of the room, made me ache for something I had never been interested in before.
I wanted to be part of their easy intimacy, their shared jokes, their synchronized movements. The realization was almost disorienting. “It must be nice, having that kind of connection. In LA, everything’s superficial.”
“How so?” Early asked, his voice gentle with genuine interest.
“Everyone’s playing a part, you know? Even off camera.” I traced the rim of my glass. “The industry’s full of people who’ll smile to your face while plotting how to use you for their next big break. And guys my age? They’re either trying too hard to make it or so jaded they’ve already given up.”
Duke’s expression shifted. “That must get lonely.”
“It does.” The admission slipped out before I could stop it. “Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. The music, the acting, all of it. Butsometimes…” I shrugged, trying to maintain my usual carefree attitude. “Genuine connections are scarce.”
Early exchanged a look with Duke. “That’s why communication is so important. Being honest about what you want makes everything easier.”
Duke’s hand tightened on Early’s shoulder, but his voice was softer than before. “It’s about trust and respect.”
I tried not to get my hopes up too much. “And what if someone wanted to explore an attraction with you both? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”
Early’s excitement was almost palpable. “Then we’d discuss boundaries. Expectations. Make sure everyone’s on the same page.”
“I’m pretty straightforward about what I want.” I let my gaze drift between them. “Fun, no strings, and good times with attractive men who know what they’re doing.”
Duke’s chest rumbled with a low laugh. “At least you’re honest about it.”
“Always.” I did my best not to fidget with nerves. “What do you two want?”
Early was the first to answer. “We’re open to exploring possibilities with the right person.”
The tension in the room thickened as Duke added, “Someone who understands discretion and respects boundaries.”
“I can do that,” I said, heat building under myskin. “You don’t need to worry about me getting clingy or coming between you two.”
“You sound pretty confident about that.”
