“Nachos,” I agreed.
Sophie hooked her pinky finger around mine and walked me back to the dining room where she sat me down back into my original seat at the table. Daniel was in the kitchen, nachos already in the oven.
“Won’t be long,” he said.
Sophie poured me a glass of water from the tap and joined me at the table. Daniel came after her and sat down, and she immediately angled her body toward his and dropped her feet into his lap. There wasn’t much to say except everything, and when Daniel started to rub Sophie’s feet—unsolicited—I turned my attention toward my water.
Less than a minute later, the timer over the stove went off. Daniel untangled himself from Sophie’s legs and went into the kitchen. He returned with a baking sheet full of chips, layered edge to edge with cheese and diced onions and chopped jalapenos. I didn’t have time to process what a weird thing it wasfor them to have those items ready to go in the fridge unless they made a habit of late-night nachos, which was entirely possible.
Sophie spread a towel on the table and Daniel set down the tray. He went back for plates and salsa, distributing everything before sliding back into his seat. Sophie wasted no time digging in, and it was maybe the only part of their relationship I wouldn’t need an invitation for. The nachos were simple, greasy, and perfect. It took no time at all for the cheese to do its job and by the time the three of us had silently—save for the occasional moan and groan of approval—worked through the whole meal, I felt far more myself than I had at the threshold of their bedroom.
“That was a great idea, Sophie.” I glanced at Daniel. “Thank you for cooking them.”
“It was no work at all.”
“But thank you,” I repeated.
“You’re welcome, Finn,” he said softly.
“Do you think you want to have that conversation tonight or…”
“Maybe some of it tonight,” I said. “Like the dynamic you’re hoping for.”
Sophie huffed out a laugh and leaned back in her chair. I realized she hadn’t touched her wine since she’d brought me out of the bedroom, but I’d put back the whole glass of water like I’d never tasted anything better.
“I told you before, unfortunately there may be some trial and error.”
“Are you wanting someone to be with both of you, like, only as a unit of three?” I asked, trying to clarify the intent of my question. “Or, like, you and someone and Daniel and someone, and maybe that someone and the two of you at the same time?”
“I think in a perfect world, the latter,” she said.
“We aren’t talking aboutsomeone,” Daniel corrected, shaking his head. “Right here and now, we’re talking about you.”
“Four relationships, then?” I asked, looking at Sophie. “Me and Daniel, you and Daniel, me and you, and the three of us together.”
She blew out a breath and shrugged one shoulder. “Math is not my preferred communication style. I think numbers are more your speed.”
“But that’s what you want.”
Sophie pursed her lips and lobbed the question back at me, “What doyouwant?”
That was more of a loaded question than she could ever understand. A question I didn’t even think I had the answer to, though with every day between me and Neil and Annette, I was getting closer to it.
“Everything,” I answered her honestly. “I’m a middle child. I’m a little bit needy and I’m a whole lot selfish.”
“You’re generous,” Daniel interrupted. “And you’re kind.”
I flashed him a smile. “I contain multitudes.”
“Here’s what I want,” Daniel said, shoving his hair back from his face before speaking. “I want to take you on a date, and I want to bring you back here, and I want to watch you fuck Sophie until she screams. I want you to take her on a date, and I want the two of you to get a hotel room and send me pictures of it. I want the three of us to watch a movie together and see how bendable our legs are.”
“Now who’s the greedy one,” I teased.
Daniel rolled his eyes at me. “The point being, I want all of us to be whatever we want to be.”
“I’m attracted to you,” Sophie said, interrupting. “Daniel is obviously attracted to you, and you to him. I think you find me attractive as well.”
“So much,” I whispered.