A Life Beyond Us novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: Yes, Both

Bridget read the photo of the ledger twice and kissed my phone.

"This is a gift from God," she said. "I'm going to frame this."

"Bring it back to the lady on Monday," I said.

"I'll bring it in a basket." She pulled on her coat.

"Is it still the plan to go to the dinner and let her talk?"

"It's the plan."

"Then I'll be at table four with a very large purse."

She looked at me, then at the two men sitting on opposite sides of the living room.

"I'm leaving for work now. Nobody do anything stupid."

The front door shut behind her.

It was almost nine and the house was quiet.

Tom had written the recording out on three pages of lined paper.

The pages lay on the coffee table where I had left them.

Hugh sat on the arm of the couch.

I stood in the middle of the room and looked at them.

I had been thinking about it since the motel, and I was done pretending I hadn't.

"Hugh," I said. "Come here."

He stood.

He walked across the rug until he was close enough that I had to tip my face up.

"I want to kiss you," I said. "I'm asking."

"Yes," he said at once, hoarse. "God. Yes."

"Tom."

Tom was on the other end of the couch, very still.

"Is that all right with you?" I asked him.

"I want to watch," Tom said. His voice had gone low. "If you'll let me."

"I'll let you."

I put my hand against Hugh's jaw, and his stubble rasped under my palm.

He closed his eyes.

I kissed him.

His mouth was gentler than Tom's, slow and careful.

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