But no matter how much I wanted to be househunting instead of looking at rentals, I wasn’t going to say anything about ityet. I wasn’t ready to rock the boat. With Ryan and me getting closer to Dareand my relationship with Ryan getting more comfortable, I didn’t want to makeeither of them uncomfortable.
Buying meant “serious” to me, and while Iknew that Ryan wanted our relationship to work, it would have probably soundedtoo soon—and then there was Dare. If we bought, would Dare feel left out? Ididn’t think so, but when I put myself in his shoes and thought about himbuying something with Ryan, I didn’t like it.
But there wasn’t anything I could do aboutit now. We weren’t ready to buy, emotionally or planning-wise, but we needed tomove. Dare was right, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable until it was safe for himto leave our place on his own. He’d thought Ryan had been silly andoverprotective as he’d walked Dare down to his car that morning, but I’d feltrelieved, and that meant it was time to get out.
As I started to dial the numbers listed onthe ad again, Sean’s head came around the doorway. “Hey—oh, sorry about that.”His voice immediately dropped once he saw the phone in my hand.
Setting down the handset, I shook my head.“It hadn’t connected yet. What do you need?”
He nodded and walked through the doorway.“I had a few things to go over with you for the meetings later today. Oh, andthe Babcocks had to reschedule their meeting and want to do it Friday insteadof this afternoon. Evidently, the grandkids came into town unexpectedly, butyou’ve got that time blocked off on your calendar.”
I shook my head again. “I’m going to beleaving early on Friday. See what time works for them next week. It’s just anannual review, so nothing that can’t wait a few days.”
Sean’s head tilted, and he gave me acurious look. “Plans for the weekend?”
I debated what to tell him. I knew if Isaid anything odd at all, it would get around to the rest of the office, butnot saying anything would look strange as well. “No, just looking at a newplace to rent.”
He nodded and gave me an uninterestedsmile. “That’s fun.”
Just when I thought I’d escaped any morequestions, I could see his mind start to whirl. “Looking for something to sharewith your boyfriend?”
Yep, he’d heard something the other day.
There was no good way to answer that. Ididn’t want my business all over the office, and I knew Dare and Ryanunderstood that. However, I was looking for a new place to share with myboyfriend, just not the way he meant.
“I’ve been in the same place for years andit’s entirely too small. I’m hoping to get something with a yard and morespace.” Not a yes and not a no. Hopefully that would work.
He nodded, glancing at the screen. “Is thatone you want to see?”
Finally, an easy one.
“Yeah, it’s not too big but has a lot ofprivacy and the commute won’t be much longer. I’m going to see if they can letme look at it on Friday. If not, I have some others I want to look at and a fewapartments on the list as well.” Once the decision had been made to move and Iknew that Ryan wanted to stay with me, there had been no reason to dawdle. Itwas finding something we both liked that Dare agreed was safe that was thehardest part.
“Looks good.” I could see the moment I gotshoved to thetoo boring to worry about being nosypile, and I mentallysighed with relief. “Is your calendar up to date for next week? I want to givethem a few options.”
I started to nod, but then I thought aboutit. “Let me see. I know there might be a few nights I can’t stay late next week,and I don’t know if I put them on the calendar.”
And that had him giving me the look again.
Just because I had a life didn’t mean itwas interesting. It was one of those moments I wanted to be a Jedi. I’d wave myhand in front of his face and tell him I was not interesting and he needed tostop being curious.
This is not the drama you’re looking for.
As I pulled up the calendar on thecomputer, I stopped volunteering information. He didn’t need to know why Iwasn’t staying late. It wasn’t his business if I wanted to make sure I was homeon the nights Dare didn’t need to work.
Sean watched with the same nosy expressionas I blocked off a few evenings. By the time I was done, and he’d headed out tocall back the Babcocks, I knew he was going to start paying more attention tome. Aside from being frustrated, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
I wasn’t in the closet, so I knew the firmwouldn’t have a problem with me having a boyfriend or partner—but two might bepushing it.
****
I’d probably waited until the last minuteto bring up the subject, but I figured better late than never. “So has anyonethought about how we’re going to describe our relationship?”
Dare and Ryan stopped arguing about if sushiwas worse or better than just regular cooked fish because it was raw andglanced back at me. Dare was driving us over to see the hot tub house, and as westopped at the light, it’d occurred to me we might need to get some of ourstory straight.
Well, clearly not straight.
“What do you mean?” Ryan’s gaze bouncedback and forth between us before he thought through what I’d said. “Oh. Do youmean about the three of us or about us being gay or about you and me beingtogether and wanting the house?”
