Page 53 of Tailored for Them

“…Right. They’re polyamorous,” Susie stated. This nine-year-old had a healthier understanding of the different types of romantic relationship dynamics than most adults. Then Susie looked at me, “Is Nicole?”

“I’m not polyamorous. More like, ethically non-monogamous. Never wanted to settle down—until now, that is.” I huffed a laugh at that, running my fingers through my hair, “Nicole is the settle-down type.”

“The reason this surprises your mom and me,” Josh continued to explain to Susie, “Is that in the past, when Taylor found a monogamous person that they wanted to date, they agreed that they would be monogamous until Taylor formed a crush on someone else. When that happened, Taylor would let them know, and their relationship would end. Now, Taylor is saying theyjustwant to be with Nicole. That they don’t want to form a crush on someone else.”

Susie nodded. “…Okay.” Then she focused back on her puzzle. Josh and Courtney struggled not to laugh at the clear dismissal. How this revelation was such a non-issue in her mind. I shrugged and plopped back down in the chair.

“So. That’s what’s new with me,” I shrugged with my words, “What’s new with—”

“When did you decide this, T?” Courtney interrupted me while gently brushing her son’s hair back away from his face.Josh gave me a quick glance before focusing back on the puzzle with his daughter.

“I don’t know if it was one specific moment, if I’m being honest,” I shrugged, before plopping down on the floor to join in on the puzzle. “My feelings for her both snuck up on me and have been very present the whole time. It’s hard to explain.”

Courtney nodded, “Do you love her?”

At that, Susie lifted her eyes to meet mine, “Ooooo.”

I smiled, before looking back at Courtney and replying with a simple, “Yes…and it’s a little terrifying. But mostly exciting.”

“Damn,” Josh whistled with a single shake of his head, “Taylor Desmond is in love. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Wow,” I deadpanned, “Be more surprised, please.”

“Are you going to marry her?” Susie asked.

I puffed my cheeks with air, before dramatically exhaling it and shaking my head, “I don’t know. She wants to get married someday, so probably.”

“And you’re cool with that?” Josh asked as he quirked his lips at his puzzle piece.

I plucked it from his fingers, before handing it to Susie.

She immediately placed it in the proper spot.

“Yeah,” I found myself smiling at the thought of Nicole walking down an aisle toward me. Would she wear a white dress? Champagne? A suit? “Yeah, I’m cool with that.”

“I want to get married someday, too,” Susie chimed in. “How are you going to propose to Nicole?”

I tucked my lips between my teeth, narrowing my eyes at Susie Madey.

“That probably won’t happen for a while. First, I want to exploit your dad’s fame to win some extra points with her.” It was more than that, though, “Then, I want to tell her I love her.”

I rarely, if ever, introduced my partners to Courtney and Josh. Beck and Adam, sure. Even Logan and Eloise, on occasion,unless they were super into hockey and remembered Logan from his time in the NHL.

But this was different.

Because Nicole was different.

I wanted her to be part of my circles, even if she was scared to insert herself into them.

For years, I had seen my friends in loving, lasting partnerships. They found one person and established a life with them. Some got married; some had kids. Beck and Adam did neither of those things but still had a stronger, safer relationship than most married people I knew.

“I just want to give this a real chance,” I nodded, “Nicole is the first person I’ve had these big feelings for.” I stretched my back out before adjusting my seat on the floor. “I want to show Nicole that I’m ready to commit to her, if she feels the same way I do.”

“Not just hold her hand and kiss her?” Susie pressed with a raised blonde eyebrow.

“I mean, obviously holding hands and kissing will happen too.” I winked at her before she rolled her eyes and focused back on the puzzle with her dad and me.

Mumbling to herself, Susie muttered, “Kissing is sogross. There are so many germs in our mouths. Dad and I did an experiment where we swabbed the inside of our cheeks and grew the bacteria from them inside a petri dish.” Susie shuddered, emphasizing her disgust.

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