"Since forever," she agreed. "I couldn't turn around without tripping over both of them. If you ever saw one, the other was never far away. Half the time they'd eat dinner at our house,and Riley's the other half. Mom never knew how many people to cook for." She laughed softly.
"You'd say they're inseparable?" When she gestured, I held up the lights to make sure they were fastened above the door and not in anyone's way.
"I’d say so. Why?" She glanced back at me before fastening the lights in place and adjusting them before climbing back off the ladder.
"They both seem interested in getting to know me better," I said slowly.
"As in dating?" She crossed her arms and leaned against the side of the café.
"I guess so." I chewed my lip and shrugged. "Have they ever been interested in the same girl at the same time?"
"This is probably a conversation you should have with them," she said. "Are you worried you'll cause trouble between them?"
"The thought crossed my mind. I don't want to be the reason they stop being friends." I came here to Aurora Hollow to find myself, not make trouble. If Riley and Connor had a falling out, it would affect the whole town and their business. I'd leave before that happened. What was I thinking, getting involved in their business deeper than the occasional tagalong on a tour?
"I don't think anything or anyone could stop those two from being friends." She toyed with a silver ring on her finger. "I can't remember the last time either of them was in a relationship, but I've seen them both go home with the same woman. That might be something to think about. Whether you want to be dating two men at the same time." She didn't seem to be judging.
"Would you?" I asked.
She blinked at me a couple of times. "Date more than one guy at a time? I've never thought about it, but why not? If everyone agrees and everyone's happy, where's the harm? Three holes and two hands, remember?" She grinned.
I returned her smile. "I remember."
Yes, Riley and Connor took turns with me, but they seemed to be as into each other as they were into me. They seemed comfortable with each other. Like being together was nothing new for them.
"You could build yourself a harem," Whitney said. "Why not have three or four boyfriends?"
"That sounds like a handful, literally and figuratively," I said.
The image of Josiah and the way he looked at me popped into my head. Even if he was interested, where would he fit into things? Would the other two be able to put their animosity aside and accept him? That might be a hurdle bigger than the mountain itself.
"True, but imagine all the orgasms." Whitney sighed. "I'd be lucky if I'd be able to walk after the first night or two."
Her words hit home, but not in the way she intended. Shuffling along behind her wasn't too strenuous, but if we had too many more lights to put up, I was going to have regrets later.
“Are you okay?" She must have seen the expression on my face. "I just meant all that dick would be a lot, but in a good way.”
"I know," I said quickly. "It would. I…" I adjusted my ponytail.
"Don't like dick?" she asked, her expression deadpan.
"What? No. I like dick," I said quickly. "I have ERA, it makes being mobile difficult sometimes." I quickly explained, not wanting to make a fuss, but wanting her to understand my reaction.
"Oh," she said slowly and thoughtfully. "That explains why you look uncomfortable sometimes." Her eyes widened. "Oh, shit, I shouldn't have asked you to help me do this. I'm sorry, I had no idea." She started to take the string of lights from my hands.
I drew them away from her. "It's fine. I want to help. If it becomes too much, I'll say so."
"Would you though?" She gave me a sidelong, disbelieving look. "I know first-hand how stubborn people can be. They'd prefer to push through than admit they're struggling."
She wasn't pulling any punches.
"Okay, I've done it a few times," I admitted. "I'm trying to get better at pacing myself. This is fine though, I can do this."
People all over town had been talking about the fall festival for the last week. Everyone was so excited. I wanted to be a part of that.
"Promise me you'll tell me if it gets too much." She looked at me like I was one of her students, who better do what the teacher says.
"I will," I assured her. "As long as you promise not to treat me like I'm fragile. I'm not going to break into a million pieces just because I'm standing up." It was my turn to give her a firm look.
