directly beside where we’re talking. The look on his face is hard to interpret, but it's clear he heard everything we said.
I don't know if he's sad or mad or just having a bad day, but something is definitely going on behind those twitching eyes of his.
Chapter Eighteen
Carly
“We’ll be counting down the days until you return.” Max is holding me so tight I can’t take a full breath. But I don’t loosen my grip on him either. Max brings so much fun and happiness to our family on a daily basis. I hope I’m not depressed or lonely without his sweet smile or childlike laugh.
As soon as Max releases me, I turn and fall into Noah’s arms. Tears are streaming down both cheeks, and the smallest strings of regret are pulling at my heart. Maybe I shouldn’t go. I’m going to miss these two men more than I can even imagine.
“Shh, shh, sweetheart.” Noah’s deep voice soothes my anxiety as he gently sways us both. “You’ll have a great time and we’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”
I nod against his shoulder and let out a quiet sob.
“I can promise we’ll both be thinking of you every minute you’re not with us.”
“I know.” I rest my cheek on his shoulder and press my lips to his neck. “But I’m gonna be lonely without you guys.”
“You have a lot of friends to keep you company. By the time you remember to miss us, you’ll be on your way home.”
“No.” I wrap my arms around his chest and squeeze. “I’ll miss you every night. I hate sleeping alone.”
Max steps into my back and brushes my hair aside to kiss my shoulder. “You better be sleeping alone.”
I let out a choked laugh. “You know what I mean. Maybe you guys should come.”
“Sweetheart.” Noah places his finger under my chin and lifts it up so I’m facing him. “You deserve to have some time with your friends. Max and I have each other. We want you to have fun and not worry about a thing.”
“I love you guys.”
Noah kisses my mouth while Max whispers into my ear. “We love you too, beautiful Carly.”
“And you promise you’ll be waiting for me when I get home?”
Noah rubs his nose against mine. “We promise, sweetheart. We’ll both be right here waiting for you.”
~**~
These annual training events are always fun, and this time is no exception. I’ve attended several, but in the past, I've never had somebody waiting for me at home. That definitely changes my outlook when I'm out with the girls.
We’ve had several different trainings this week and this morning we did some short-term color treatments for a bridal party. The bride is some indie rock chick, and we all had a great time with her and her friends.
It was one of the most fun days I've had so far. But it also made me a little sad to be surrounded by wedding talk. With my unorthodox relationship, I know I'll never have the big white wedding that I dreamed of as a little girl.
Max and Noah have both mentioned the idea of marriage, but it would have to be to one or the other of them. Someone would be left out in order for it to be legal. I just can't bear the thought.
Noah argues that since more people have been introduced to Max as my boyfriend and Noah as his best friend, it makes sense for me to marry Max. But I could never do that. Noah is such an important part of both of our lives that neither one of us would feel comfortable with leaving him out, even if it was only on paper.
Truthfully, that's okay with me. I’ve come to accept that my relationship comes with some sacrifices. And I’m happy to make those to be with them. But it does hit home when I'm at a wedding or working on a bridal party like this morning.
Cami snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Hello in there. Are you with us?”
“Sorry, yeah. Just zoned out there for minute.”
“What? We’re at one of the chicest bars in the city, guys are sending drinks to us left and right, and I did your hair so you look amazing. Why do you
I don't know if he's sad or mad or just having a bad day, but something is definitely going on behind those twitching eyes of his.
Chapter Eighteen
Carly
“We’ll be counting down the days until you return.” Max is holding me so tight I can’t take a full breath. But I don’t loosen my grip on him either. Max brings so much fun and happiness to our family on a daily basis. I hope I’m not depressed or lonely without his sweet smile or childlike laugh.
As soon as Max releases me, I turn and fall into Noah’s arms. Tears are streaming down both cheeks, and the smallest strings of regret are pulling at my heart. Maybe I shouldn’t go. I’m going to miss these two men more than I can even imagine.
“Shh, shh, sweetheart.” Noah’s deep voice soothes my anxiety as he gently sways us both. “You’ll have a great time and we’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”
I nod against his shoulder and let out a quiet sob.
“I can promise we’ll both be thinking of you every minute you’re not with us.”
“I know.” I rest my cheek on his shoulder and press my lips to his neck. “But I’m gonna be lonely without you guys.”
“You have a lot of friends to keep you company. By the time you remember to miss us, you’ll be on your way home.”
“No.” I wrap my arms around his chest and squeeze. “I’ll miss you every night. I hate sleeping alone.”
Max steps into my back and brushes my hair aside to kiss my shoulder. “You better be sleeping alone.”
I let out a choked laugh. “You know what I mean. Maybe you guys should come.”
“Sweetheart.” Noah places his finger under my chin and lifts it up so I’m facing him. “You deserve to have some time with your friends. Max and I have each other. We want you to have fun and not worry about a thing.”
“I love you guys.”
Noah kisses my mouth while Max whispers into my ear. “We love you too, beautiful Carly.”
“And you promise you’ll be waiting for me when I get home?”
Noah rubs his nose against mine. “We promise, sweetheart. We’ll both be right here waiting for you.”
~**~
These annual training events are always fun, and this time is no exception. I’ve attended several, but in the past, I've never had somebody waiting for me at home. That definitely changes my outlook when I'm out with the girls.
We’ve had several different trainings this week and this morning we did some short-term color treatments for a bridal party. The bride is some indie rock chick, and we all had a great time with her and her friends.
It was one of the most fun days I've had so far. But it also made me a little sad to be surrounded by wedding talk. With my unorthodox relationship, I know I'll never have the big white wedding that I dreamed of as a little girl.
Max and Noah have both mentioned the idea of marriage, but it would have to be to one or the other of them. Someone would be left out in order for it to be legal. I just can't bear the thought.
Noah argues that since more people have been introduced to Max as my boyfriend and Noah as his best friend, it makes sense for me to marry Max. But I could never do that. Noah is such an important part of both of our lives that neither one of us would feel comfortable with leaving him out, even if it was only on paper.
Truthfully, that's okay with me. I’ve come to accept that my relationship comes with some sacrifices. And I’m happy to make those to be with them. But it does hit home when I'm at a wedding or working on a bridal party like this morning.
Cami snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Hello in there. Are you with us?”
“Sorry, yeah. Just zoned out there for minute.”
“What? We’re at one of the chicest bars in the city, guys are sending drinks to us left and right, and I did your hair so you look amazing. Why do you
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