Chapter Thirty-Six Vivian
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: VIVIAN
A s I sat around the fire pit on the beach with a mocktail and a plate of seared striped bass, I seriously felt like the luckiest woman on the planet. While the food was nice, it was more about the company I was surrounded with. I mean, how many women could say they had three hot young men who knew exactly where a clit was and could also catch and cook their dinner?
Add in the fact that they’d each spent four to five hours alone with me over the past two days. While I’d originally wanted to dedicate a day to each of them, I had decided to err on the side of caution considering how pregnant I was. Instead, I’d given myself to Bennett on Friday evening and then Theo on Saturday morning, and finally Grayson on Saturday afternoon.
Spending that time alone with the guys made me realize how I needed to prioritize that in our relationship, especially after the baby came.
After taking a bite of fish, I moaned in delight. As our resident cook, Grayson had seared the fillets after Bennett and Theo had cleaned the fish. “Mm, this is delicious,” I complimented.
Grayson beamed. “I was a little worried since I hadn’t used bass in the recipe before.”
“It’s phenomenal. I’m going to ask you to do this at home sometime.”
“You got it, babe.”
When Theo cleared his throat, I turned to him with a smile. “And kudos to you and Bennett for catching this. I’m seriously impressed.
“It was nothing,” Bennett replied.
Tilting my head at him, I asked, “Will you take me fishing after the baby comes?”
He smiled. “Of course I will.”
“I can take you, too. I know how to fish now as well,” Theo added.
“Then I look forward to both of you taking me.”
“What did you and Grayson do today while we were on the boat?” Bennett asked.
“We attended a cooking class.”
It made perfect sense what Grayson picked for us. His love language was food since he’d grown up in his parents' Irish pub. While I’d fully expected him to pick a place with Irish fare, he had surprised me with an Italian one.
With his usual cocky smirk, Theo asked, “And just what culinary delight can our palettes be looking forward to?”
“Way to sound like an elitist prick,” Bennett teased.
“Just staying true to my roots,” Theo replied.
After swallowing a bite of the sautéed vegetables Grayson had prepared, I replied, “First, they taught us how to make fresh pasta.”
Bennett’s brows popped wide. “Like from dough where you crank it through a machine?”
“Just like that,” I mused.
“That sounds amazing,” he remarked.
As Grayson snorted, I shot him a look. “While it wasn’t too hard to prepare, it was just too time-consuming for me now. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like when the baby is here.”
“She whined so much about that damn pasta crank,” Grayson said.
Cocking my brows at him, I challenged, “Hey, what happens at the cooking class, stays at the cooking class. Remember?”
While Grayson ducked his head, Bennett said, “Oh no. Don’t be keeping secrets.”
Holding up his hands, Grayson replied, “I somehow fucked up my focaccia.”
Theo’s brows creased. “What the hell is that?”
“An Italian flatbread,” I replied.
“It ended up more like a cracker,” Grayson mused with a grin.
Theo and Bennett chuckled around their wine glasses. “I’ll help you make it next time,” I suggested.
Grayson winked. “I’d love that.”
After tossing back his remaining wine, Theo asked, “So, Viv, what has been your favorite date out of the three?”
With a groan, I replied, “It wasn’t a competition.”
“You had to have a favorite,” he insisted.
Bennett snorted. “Do you think she’s going to pick your sad excuse for a date over mine?”
“You did the same shit with her you do back home–dinner at a dive bar.”
With a scowl, Bennett challenged, “It was not the same thing. Not only did I take her to the historic Ritz Cafe, but we then club-hopped to listen to three or four bands.”
When Theo opened his mouth to argue, I shook my head at him. “I loved the date because it was representative of Bennett’s love of music, which is such a part of him”
Nodding, Bennett replied, 'Your date didn't even have anything to do with you.”
“But it did with Vivian,” Theo argued.
“That’s exactly right,” I chimed in.
To start our time together, Theo had taken me to the Martha’s Vineyard History Center. “I thought you might like it since the town was established by a Tudor heir.”
I hadn’t had the heart to argue in my nerdom that Charles was a Stuart, not a Tudor. Instead, I slid my arm into his and dragged him to every exhibit. After we’d finished at the history center, he took me to eat at the cafe. Then I’d been handed off to do the cooking lesson with Grayson.
“I enjoyed every moment of our dates. We should plan on doing them every other month at least.”
When the guys nodded enthusiastically, I grinned. “You guys are the best.”
“We know,” Theo replied with a smirk.
As Grayson rose out of his chair, he reached for my plate. When I jerked it back, he cocked his brows at me. “Sorry. I thought you were done.”
“The baby needs more,” I replied, with a wink.
“I’m on it.”
As he started over to the table, Theo suggested, “When you’re done, how about a moonlight walk on the beach?”
“That sounds so romantic,” I mused.
“It is until you’re finding sand in every crack and crevice on your body,” Grayson remarked.
As I snorted into my mocktail, Theo replied, “Just a walk. No funny business.” A knowing look passed between him and Theo that piqued my interest.
With a yawn, I said, “Unless you guys plan on carrying me, I’m too tired for a walk on the beach.”
“Did we wear you out today?” Grayson asked as he handed me another heaping plate of fish and veggies.
“And last night.”
“Would you settle for watching a romantic movie in the den?” Bennett suggested.
“Would you throw in a foot rub and some ice cream?” I asked.
He grinned. “Of course.”
“I am seriously the luckiest woman on earth.”