18: CONFIRMATION

DELILAH

I had gotten over my nerves and come out of my room a little after the event had started. Taking note of how the guests were greeted to the way they were directed by what seemed like highly trained staff. Staff that had been well versed in their duties between Cole and their organizer.

While part of me felt a little underdressed due to the length of my dress, it made me feel more than a little relieved once I was inside the dining area. An area that had been transformed to open up to outdoor seating and an open floor ballroom complete with starlight and twinkle lights.

There was even a waterfall that had been somehow erected as a backdrop lit up in an angelic light. Making everything seem that more serene with the live band crooning a soft song in another language I barely recognized as Cantonese.

“Enjoying your night so far?” Cole asked with a sly grin, his eyes drinking in my outfit.

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted with a glance around. Realizing quickly that of the two of them, Seth was the one under obligations. Cole on the other hand was not only free of his duties quickly, but already indulging in the open bar. Something he pointed at in suggestion.

I bit my lip nervously but considering I had pretty much all I needed for my article, I decided it was hard to turn up my boss for a drink. Or my current lover for that matter. Relaxing into the seat next to him and glancing at his blue drink with curiosity. He slid it over with a grin and a small sigh. “You ladies are so much work. I suppose I’ll have to retrieve another one.”

I covered my mouth giggling, knowing he was teasing just from his tone and the way he wasn’t getting up. “I just wanted a taste.”

“Oh, you can have a taste any time,” Cole replied in a husky tone, winking at me as he leaned forward. His features intense, yet full of joy and warmth. It was that look. The simmering sizzling one that did strange things to my stomach and toes begin to curl involuntarily.

So what became a sip, was instead me finishing his drink. Hoping a few more drinks could help me not only have the courage to ask him how this works after I left in the morning; but what the hell had happened in Seth’s bedroom earlier.

It needed discussed before my brain exploded at the… implications.

I knew Cole and Seth’s history with a previous woman, and the repeated histories thereafter. I wasn’t about to be a repeat for those experiences. Was I… curious? Absolutely, but everything about this would be temporary. There was no way I was about to become another complication.

A distraction maybe but beyond that?

My goals in life were simple. Don’t have my mom invade my space, go to work, maybe enjoy going to the movies with some new friends I make along the way, and zero plans for kids or a family this late in my twenties pushing early thirties. I wanted my life back and to make choices for myself. To be able to travel where I wanted, wear and eat what I wanted; and not feel the consistent anxiety that there was someone hovering to judge my every move.

He gave me a quizzical look, getting up to escort me over to the bar. “Don’t go too fast. I still have plans for you later.”

“You’re not the only one. Enjoying yourselves?” Seth asked, also noting the drink he had likely just seen me drink.

A small look of concern on his features.

The comment made me open my mouth, and close it once more. At a loss for words. Shaking my head at both of them. As if this were yet again another very normal conversation. It was the instantaneous mirroring grins that finally clued me in, and also made the desire for a drink no longer a want. Instead, it was an intense need, on so many levels.

Neither man trailed too closely, ordering drinks beside me after I received mine. Then we all made our way over to a semi-secluded area as guests began to surround the catering tables for food. The conversation finally needing to be addressed. “So are you guys just being assholes, or am I fucking Seth tonight instead of you?” I asked, looking point-blank at Cole, gripping my drink and immediately taking a sip off the straw as I waited for an answer.

The grin on Cole’s face was immediate, as if he had been waiting for me to ask that. “It wasn’t exactly my plan. However, if you're really dying to compare though, I suppose I could wait until morning.” His words were cocky, flowing out like a spider spinning its web.

I grit my teeth, both aroused and tempted by the offer. Yet also appalled it was here and now we were having this conversation. Wondering how the hell my day had gotten here.

“We can talk about this later,” Seth said flatly, noting my discomfort and giving Cole a sharp look. “Why don't we get you some food to go with that and we can all talk later about… that.”

I thought about it. I really thought about it as they both got up. However, I just didn't have it in me. “I'll get food in a bit. It's been a long day. I'm just not hungry right now.” My tone was like steel. Cole looked confused, as if he might stay behind. But Seth grabbed his arm. Likely knowing that between this and the call with my mother had me rattled.

I wanted to be left alone for now, and Seth at least had the sense to know that as he pulled Cole towards food.

By the time they returned, my drink was empty as I stared at the couples dancing. Seth had a second plate of food for me, and Cole had another blue drink, sliding it towards me. It was a wordless, small comfort that made me want to cry as I picked up the potato roll on top and bit in. Discussions of us becoming a thruple lay at rest for the night.