“Not for long he doesn’t,” Otter says, flexing his arms against his chest. My mouth goes instantly dry.
“Annnnd that’s my cue to leave,” Isaiah says, slowly taking a step backward. “Bear, it’s been… how I normally expect conversations with you to be like. It’s good to know nothing changes. I wish you two the happiest of weird married-dad sex. I’m leaving.”
“Bye,” I say. “Have a nice life or whatever.”
“So that’s a no, then, to the three-way—”
“Leave,” Otter barks.
Isaiah Serna exits the premises rather quickly.
And that’s when I realize the bar is absolutely silent. I look around. People are staring at us.
“That wasn’t what you thought it was,” I say loudly so everyone can hear. “I’m not having an affair, and we’re not weird. We’re role-playing.”
That doesn’t seem to make things better.
“Oh, that’s right. Just watch the dinner theater. I mean, that’s what the gays are good for, right? We’re only here for your entertainment. Well, let me tell you something. You can suck my mmph.”
There’s a hand over my mouth.
I look up at Otter.
He sighs.
I smile behind his hand.
His lips quirk. “Isaiah? Really?”
I shrug.
“You didn’t have to take off your wedding ring,” he says, dropping his hand.
“It’s part of the experience,” I remind him. “Speaking of, why are you being familiar with me? You’re not doing it right!”
“Aren’t we a little past—”
“Otter!”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. Ahem. Hello. Is this seat taken?”
I bat my eyelashes at him.
He chokes on a laugh. “Or maybe not. I think I’ll go sit elsewhere. You look like you have something in your eye.”
I punch him in the arm. “Sit down.”
He does, asking the bartender for a beer. “So,” he says, sounding amused. “What brings you out to a place like this?”
“I’m a lounge singer,” I tell him. “This is where I lounge. And sing.”
He groans. “Seriously? I told you that—”
“This is fantasy. That means I get to be whoever I want.”
“Fine,” he says. “Then I get to do the same.”
“Fine.” Because the internet said I had to respect my partner’s wishes too. Which was stupid because this whole thing was my idea.
