He was right. I knew Stevie and Adam had a special bond, but I had difficulty articulating that. "I know what you're saying. I'm just not sure where to start."
"Well if he's grown up with you then I'm sure you have stories of them together."
I thought about it for a minute. "I guess I do. Adam started out as the annoying boy next door that sprayed us with his water hose. Then for a while there, he was the bully who stole our toys. At some point, he became our friend and the three of us hung out all the time. I'm not sure when he started looking at Stevie differently, but he definitely did. It took a while longer for her to return those looks, but when she did it was seamless, like they were made for each other. Through it all, they never made me feel like a third wheel. I already feel like Adam is my brother."
Rick listened intently, taking in my random babbling. He smiled when I finished. "I think you have your speech, Marley."
I smiled gratefully. He was right. It was so easy to talk to him and articulate all my crazy thoughts. "I guess I do. Thanks, Rick."
He stopped massaging my feet to answer the door when the deliveryman arrived. The amount of food Rick had ordered for just the two of us perplexed me. I helped Rick get it set up.
"Rick, are we having an orgy? You've ordered a ton of food."
He smiled slyly. "I didn't know what you would like so I got some variety. Have you ever had an orgy?"
The question shocked me into silence, but I knew he was being serious because he paused for my answer. "I'm not answering that. It's personal, and we said no personal questions."
"Actually, Marley, you said no personal questions, and it's fine-you don't have to answer it. I'll just assume the answer is yes."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Why would you assume that?"
"Well what else can I do if you refuse to answer it? I assume it because you're embarrassed and don't want me to know the answer so therefore, it must be yes, although you shouldn't be embarrassed no matter what the answer is. I'm not judging you. I'm just curious."
"You shouldn't assume. You know what they say about assuming."
Rick sighed cynically. "What are we, in grade school? I only assume because you've left me with no alternative."
I sat on the couch and grabbed a random container. "Have you ever had an orgy, Rick?"
"Not really," he replied, expertly using his chopsticks to eat some noodles.
"What the hell does that ambiguous response mean? At least, I flat out refused to answer, but you are being completely vague."
He smiled. "I've had a ménage a trois, but I don't think it's the same."
I gasped at his admission. "Two women?"
"Yes, two women."
I gulped. "When?"
"Look at you with the questions, Miss Nosy."
"Well, I'm just surprised since you're Mr Commitment and all."
"Marley, I was in a committed relationship. I was in college, and my girlfriend thought it would be a great birthday present for me."
I tilted my head. "And yet, you're not with her. She sounds like every guy's dream girl."
He laughed. "Not mine. I didn't enjoy it."
I almost choked on my Kung Pao chicken. "Rick, you don't have to lie to me. That's the beauty of what we have. You can tell me anything, and I won't judge you."
His eyes narrowed. "That works both ways, Marley."
I concentrated on my food so he wouldn't see my contrite expression. He made a good point.
"For the record, I'm not lying about it. It wasn't my thing. It felt … impersonal."
I was somewhat relieved by his answer, although I had no reason to be. I made my voice husky, "Maybe the girls weren't doing it right."
"Hey, I'm not saying I didn't get off. I am a guy, but it wasn't my preference."
"Well, I bet if I was there you would have had a better time."
He dropped his chopstick and actually looked irritated. He didn't seem shocked or aroused as I'd expected. "Marley, put aside your misguided perceptions for a second and trust me when I say this because I'm being completely honest-I wouldn't share you with anybody. No matter what gender they were."
The butterflies fluttered in my belly all at once then went completely still. He actually made me feel guilty about the flippant way I'd been talking. "I've never had an orgy, or been with more than one person at a time."
He nodded. "Thank you for telling me that."
"Did you think I had because I'm a slut?"
Rick sighed and his expression softened. "Don't call yourself that. I don't like it. I don't think that at all, Marley, but I can see it's how you perceive yourself. I only assumed an answer because you refused to give me one."
How did we get so off track here? "I don't think that either." I tried to sound haughty, but it came out weak and pathetic.
"Good, I'm glad we agree. For the record, I think nothing but good things about you. I see it every day, despite how you try to hide it. I know that you make sure Dillon takes his pills, and as neurotic as Dillon is, I'm sure he needs them. I know you're nervous about your sister's wedding because you want to make it the best day of her life. I know how you help Edna when she can't comprehend a concept." It shocked me how he figured out these things about me. Edna was an older lady that had returned late in life to the workforce. She had trouble with simple stuff like how to transfer a call or work the copy machine. She often called me for help and I would walk over to her desk. I'd had no idea Rick was aware of this too.
"Edna just needs help sometimes."
"Relax, Marley. I'm not going to fire her. I just wanted you to know how I saw you."
That relieved me because it was exactly what I'd been thinking. Rick knew me well, despite my attempts to remain private. He smiled at me reassuringly and held out a piece of his steak with the chopstick. I opened my mouth, accepting his offering. "You've got impressive chopstick skills."
"I got used to it. I lived in China for a year."
"Really? Did you like it?"
"Yes, I was there for work. I like to travel to new places. It's one of the benefits of my job. I think it makes a person … fulfilled. I'm going to England for my next job."
I looked away, not because I wasn't interested. We were having an intimate conversation about personalities and orgies and all sorts of stuff. I knew I had to keep my guard up. Rick would be leaving, and I was already a total mess.
"Have you travelled?" he asked me.
"No, I've never been out of the state actually." It was a sad statement, but an honest one.
"Do you want to?"
"Yes." I did, so badly, but it was difficult to explain this to him. Instead, I turned around the conversation asking him to describe all the countries he'd been to. There were many, and he kept me entertained with his stories. I could imagine them all in my head as I sat there, completely enthralled with his every word.
That was until we finished eating then I was enthralled by something else while I stared into his piercing green eyes and clung to his neck, screaming out his name.
* * * *
We spent the whole week like that. Rick would order us food and we'd chat, but I was very careful about revealing too much of myself. Afterwards, we'd make passionate love. He referred to me as ‘baby' and ‘sweetheart' and other terms of endearment when we were in the throes of passion. Something that usually turned me off, but coming from those sweet lips, it had the opposite effect. Everything with him felt different. It felt special.
Most nights, Rick insisted I ride with him to his place, since he was coming back to the office to work anyway. Truthfully, any ride he offered me was satisfying. If the weather became questionable, he'd follow me home. He didn't ask any more, he just did it. I didn't mind though. It made me feel closer to him, almost as much as the sex had. His stamina amazed me and I chastised myself for not working out more. It was difficult to keep up with him.
That Saturday, I was lying on top of him naked, feeling sated from our hours of intimacy. I traced his tattoo with my fingertip. "What does it mean? I know it's the infinity sign, but I have a feeling it means something to you."
"Why do you say that, Marley? Are you making an assumption?" he teased, taking my hand and kissing each of my fingers.
"Very funny, Rick. I guess I am because everything means something with you. You don't seem to be the kind of guy to get random tattoos."
He smiled, placing a strand of my hair behind my ear. "It's a remembrance tattoo."
"Of a girl? You can tell me," I encouraged, secretly hoping it wasn't. How could I continue to think it was sexy if it symbolised another girl?
"Not a girl. It was for my parents. My father was a history professor, and my mother was a math teacher. This sign kind of encompasses both of them, and the fact that they were intertwined." His voice changed when he talked about his parents. It became softer and it made me feel guilty for bringing it up.