“Of course,” I said. “You’re my friend.”

  She looked at me, crumpling her brow as if she was looking at a puppy. “Why do you have to be so sweet?”

  She stood abruptly, grabbing her purse.

  “Amber, I’d like to see you—”

  She was already backing away. “I have to go.”

  She turned and walked quickly toward the exit. She didn’t look back.

  I watched the door shut behind her, wondering how long she’d keep running from the things she really wanted.

  Chapter twenty-three

  Election day saw a massive turnout, with many people who’d never voted before. Almost everyone considered the results a foregone conclusion, and there was a mood of celebration.

  It helped that Christmas was only a few weeks away. Main Street was festooned with red bows and Christmas music played in all the shops, adding to the jollity.

  That evening, Murphy’s bar had its customary viewing party for the election results, so that was where everybody went.

  I could see my breath in the air as we walked up the steps, wondering if Amber would be there.

  We’d all been discussing her since the debate three nights ago.

  There was general agreement that her brittle defenses had fallen away, but opinions varied on what to do about it.

  According to Sofia, I should just go caveman and pound on Amber’s door, declare my uncontrollable passion for her, and crush her in my arms.

  Caroline urged a more patient approach, saying that Amber was probably questioning her fundamental beliefs, so we should give her space to sort things out and come to us on her own time.

  I fell somewhere in the middle, but, in any case, I was pretty sure we’d be seeing Amber tonight.

  The bar hummed with nervous energy as people clustered around tables, sipping drinks and checking their phones.

  Mrs. Donovan and her supporters occupied one side of the room while Spittleberg’s team held court near the pool tables.

  But the partisan tension was softened by the plastic mistletoe and candy canes— and the bartender, who was dressed, very unconvincingly, as Santa Claus.

  I was leaning back against the bar with Warren — the big redbearded viking who’d been helping us since our fight against the corrupt council — and a couple other guys.

  I was keeping an eye on the big TV’s that were tuned into the local channel covering the election results.

  Caroline and Sofia sat on stools nearby, gabbing about something that had Sofia gesturing dramatically with her wine glass.

  Kate stood across the room with one of our campaign organizers, probably talking about plans for the future.

  My attention kept drifting to the Spittleberg section, where I could see Doug holding his beer and talking obnoxiously loud.

  No sign of Amber. Maybe she decided to stay away.

  Eventually, Warren and his pals grabbed an empty table, leaving me alone at the bar with my beer.

  The bartender was busy at the other end, his Santa beard hanging below his mouth. Caroline and Sofia were still lost in their conversation.

  Gazing up at the TV screen, I raised the bottle to my lips. A soft presence appeared beside me, and a gentle hand brushed my arm.

  Amber stood there looking up at me, her blonde hair shining. She held a beer in one hand and wore jeans and a sweater.

  Her pretty eyebrows were scrunched into a look of playful sarcasm. “Hey, my favorite frenemy!” She smiled.

  “Hey, buddy,” I said, squeezing her shoulder. “I was wondering if you’d show up.”

  “And miss seeing your face when your side loses?”

  I laughed. “You seem pretty confident.”

  “Of course I’m confident. We’ve got the better candidate, the better plan, and, honestly, better hair.”

  She tossed her blonde locks dramatically, then took an ostentatious sip of her beer.

  I pointed at the bottle in her hand. “By the way, how many of those have you had, young lady?”

  Her mouth popped open as if she was shocked. “This is my first! Why?”

  “I’m a little concerned,” I said with mock seriousness. “I’ve witnessed you drunk at two separate public events.”

  Amber rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t worry. That’s not happening tonight.”

  “Famous last words.”

  She let out a laugh, raising one hand. “Don’t even start! The guy with more wives than an African chieftain.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty great,” I said, breaking into a big smile.

  Amber looked away, crossing her arms, but her weight shifted towards me. We were standing close, comfortable together, oblivious to the rest of the bar.

  “You’re right, though,” I added. “Three is a lot. I think I have just one slot left. Just one more wife and that’s it.”

  Amber’s head turned towards me slightly, her eyes cast down. Then she looked away, but inched her way closer. I leaned back, putting my hand on the bar behind her.

  She eased into that cozy spot against me, like a boat coming into a harbor, and my arm closed around her shoulder protectively.

  “One more slot, and we all think it should be you,” I said casually, as if it was no big deal. “You’d be the final wife.”

  She laughed, and I could see that she was totally at ease next to me. “I’m way too high-maintenance for your little commune.”

  “Are you, though?” I looked down, studying her face. “You seem pretty low-maintenance tonight.”

  I felt her lean closer. “Do we get to go camping?” She asked suddenly, looking up at me.

  “Camping?”

  “Yeah. I love camping. Would you take all the wives on camping trips?”

  “I love camping, too. It’s a great idea. We’d get a five-person tent. Make a fire. That would be cozy.”

  “I know, right? Marshmallows around the campfire with all your wives?”

  I chuckled. “Sofia might take some convincing. Actually, she would be the most high maintenance.”

  Amber shrugged. “Well, her loss.”

  My pulse was pumping with excitement now.

  Amber might have been ‘just joking,’ but she was still imagining herself in my harem. Surely we would not be having this talk if she hadn’t already halfway made up her mind.

  An announcement from the televisions drew us out of our fantasy. The votes were almost counted. Results were coming up.

  Amber turned and glanced towards the Spittleberg section, where Doug and her other colleagues and co-campaigners were huddled around their tables.

  They were conspicuously not looking at us, but they had the air of having just been watching us, before we looked at them.

  Amber turned her attention back to me. Her cheeks were flushed, but she didn’t budge. She didn’t seem to care anymore.

  “What are you doing cozying up to the enemy, anyway?” I said, giving her a squeeze.

  Her breath caught at my grip, her cheeks flushing a deeper red. “I like it better here with you.”

  The TV volume suddenly increased. The Santa Claus bartender stood behind the counter pointing the remote.

  The chatter in the bar died down as everyone listened to the local reporter on screen. “The votes have been counted for today’s special election for Riverdale mayor and city council. The results are in.”

  Amber tensed slightly against me, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, she seemed to nestle closer, as if seeking comfort.

  “In the mayoral race, with all precincts reporting, Donovan has won decisively with 68% of the vote, defeating Spittleberg who received 18%.”

  Spittleberg’s share was shockingly low, but it was because the normally low turnout was massive this time, and people were furious about the corruption.

  Cheers erupted from our side while Spittleberg’s supporters sat in silence.

  Caroline appeared behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist in celebration. “We did it!”

  But I was watching Amber, who had gone very still against me. She stared into space with a strange look in her eye.

  The anchor continued, “For the remaining council seats, the pro-Donovan slate has swept five of the six seats, with only incumbent councilman Robert Hayes retaining his position.”

  More cheers from our side. The Spittleberg campaign looked as if Armageddon was about to begin.

  I gently placed my hand on Amber’s shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry…”

  She suddenly turned in my arms, hooking her hands around my neck, her brown eyes gazing up at me, vulnerable.

  “Are you?” she whispered, standing on tiptoe but stopping just short of my lips. “Really sorry?”

  For a few heartbeats, we stayed frozen like that, her breath warm against my mouth, her eyes wide with the magnitude of what we were about to do.

  Then her hands hooked around my neck, and we kissed.

  Her lips were unbelievably soft. The kiss deepened, and I felt her fingers threading through my hair.

  My hands held the small of her back, holding her close, and she pressed her whole body against me.

  I stopped and looked at her, but her eyes remained closed, her mouth upturned towards me, hungry for more.

  I felt eyes on us. Glancing across the bar, I saw Doug and a few others gaping.

  Amber’s eyes opened, and she smiled.

  I put my mouth against her ear. “People are watching us…”

  She gave me a mischievous look. “My coworkers.”

  “Yeah… I’ve never been a big public kisser.”

  “Me neither.”

  She looked over her shoulder at Doug and the others, watching them with a humorous twinkle in her eye.

  Then she looked back at me, grinning. “But I don’t care anymore.”

  With one defiant glance over her shoulder, she took my hand and led me to a brick pillar that offered more privacy.

  “Better?” she asked, leaning back against the pillar.

  “Much better,” I said, my arms tightening around her waist.

  We shared deeper kisses as the celebration clamored around us, and Amber’s coworkers quietly departed.

  The evening ended perfectly, with Amber in my arms even as Caroline stood and talked with us.

  At one point, Sofia and Kate came up too. My three girlfriends stood around as Amber stood there in my arms— blushing like crazy, but clearly comfortable with it nevertheless.

  The implications seemed pretty clear.

  It felt like we’d passed a milestone, that Amber was now clearly signalling her desire to try something with us.

  Even so, we didn’t talk about it that night. I felt like everything was perfect the way it had happened— so naturally.

  So I said goodnight, and Amber clung to me, clearly not wanting the night to end. And, finally, we parted ways, knowing ‘the talk’ would be coming.

  Chapter twenty-four

  The next morning, the doorbell rang while I was taking my first sips of coffee, and Caroline was sitting at the table still in her nightgown.

  Caroline looked up with a mischievous expression. “I wonder who that could possibly be?”

  “Amber?” I suggested, heading for the door.

  When I opened it, the young blonde stood on the porch, hands shoved deep in her coat pockets, her hair slightly tousled by the December wind.

  She looked nervous but determined, like she’d made up her mind about something difficult.

  “Hey,” she said softly. “Can we talk?”

  “Of course. Come in.”

  As I turned in towards the hallway, Amber was suddenly at my side, her arms wrapping around my waist.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I just... needed to see you. After last night—”

  Caroline appeared in the hallway, carrying her coffee mug. “Amber! What a nice surprise.”

  “Hi, Caroline.” Amber’s cheeks were already pink from the cold, but I could see the flush deepening as she looked between us.

  She loosened her grip on me, but her hands still rested on my chest. “Sorry for just showing up like this…”

  “Don’t be silly,” Caroline said in a sultry voice. “You’re always welcome here.”

  Amber nodded, then turned back to me, her fists grabbing my shirt. She rose up on her toes to press her lips to mine. The kiss was soft but deliberate, lasting just long enough to make her intentions clear.

  When she pulled back, her eyes flicked nervously to Caroline, as if checking for a reaction.

  Caroline just smiled over her coffee mug. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”

  Amber said quickly, “No, actually, I think... I think we should all talk together. This involves you too.”

  We moved into the living room, Caroline settling into her usual armchair while Amber and I took the couch. Amber perched on the edge, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

  “So,” she began, then stopped, laughing nervously. “God, I don’t even know how to start this conversation.”

  “Just say what’s on your mind,” I encouraged.

  She took a deep breath. “Last night, when I kissed you... that wasn’t because I drank too much. I only had one beer.”

  “I know. You meant it.”

  Her gaze moved to Caroline, then she turned to me. “When you said there was one more slot, you were serious, weren’t you?”

  “Completely serious.”

  “And you, Caroline, you’re really okay with this? Sharing him with a brat like me?”

  Caroline’s smile was radiant. “Honey, I suggested it a long time ago. Ryan makes us all happy. There’s enough love here for everyone.”

  Amber’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I was worried you’d see me as competition.”

  “The only thing I see is a young woman who’s finally ready to follow her heart instead of everyone else’s expectations.”

  Caroline stood up, the folds of her nightgown draping her baby bump. Her hand caressed it and she smiled at Amber. “I can’t wait to see you all swollen with his baby.”

  She kissed the top of my head as she passed, then squeezed Amber’s shoulder. “We’re going to take such good care of you.”

  After Caroline left, Amber gave a wide-eyed look, then fell against me giggling.

  “What?” I asked.

  She looked at me. “She talks like I’m gonna be some kind of baby making machine.”

  “Aren’t you?” I smirked.

  Amber swatted me, fighting a smile. “Ryan!” But then she fell back against me. “Well, yeah, I guess I am,” she breathed, her fingers touching my jaw.

  Our lips crashed together, and Amber moaned into my mouth, passionately making out with me.

  Some time later, she reluctantly stood, straightening her clothes. “I have some things to take care of.”

  I took her hand. “You know Kate and Sofia will want to meet with you too, right? All of us together.”

  Amber’s eyes widened slightly. “Like... officially?”

  “Think of it as a welcome party. They’ll want to make sure you feel comfortable with everything.”

  She bit her lip nervously. “Will they grill me? Ask me hard questions?”

  “They’ll probably just want to hug you and start planning baby names,” I said, making her laugh.

  “Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “When?”

  “Come over tonight. Sofia’s cooking.”

  “Sure, I can come, but I’ll be a little late. I have to work.”

  “On a Saturday?”

  She nodded. “I’ve got some showings, and I have to go into the office…” She made an ick face.

  “Oh, baby, that’s tough,” I said, giving her hand a sympathetic kiss.

  Her other hand caressed my head. “It’s okay. I really don’t care anymore. I’m ready to deal with it.”

  Chapter twenty-five

  Amber returned to Caroline’s house in the evening, still dressed in her work clothes— a black blazer and stretchy black slacks, with her fall coat overtop.

  One arm hung at her side, holding her work case, and her shoulders were slumped. Wisps of hair had escaped from her pony tail, and her eyes looked tired.

  “Hey,” she said, managing a tired smile. “I came right over. Hope I’m not too late.”

  “Never too late,” I said, pulling her into a hug and taking her bag.

  She leaned against my chest with a happy sigh, putting her arms around me. For a moment, she just held on, as if drawing strength from the contact.

  “Rough day?” I asked.

  “The worst,” she said, her voice muffled against my shirt. “But I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

  Sofia appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her dark hair was loose around her shoulders, and her curves filled out a simple sweater—a striking contrast to Amber’s slim silhouette.

  “Amber!” Sofia exclaimed, her eyes glowing with warmth.

  As soon as I helped Amber out of her coat, Sofia pulled her into an embrace.

  Amber’s eyes widened for a moment, then she melted into the older woman’s arms with a soft sigh.

  “How are you, mi amor?” Sofia studied Amber’s face with concern. “Ryan told me everything about your colleagues, how they treat you.”

  “I’m fine,” Amber said, smiling shyly at the attention. “Really.”

  “Ayyy, no! You don’t look fine.” Sofia’s eyebrows scrunched with indignation. “They shouldn’t treat you like that.”

  Caroline appeared at the top of the stairs, radiant with the glow of her pregnancy.

  A loose sweater hung about her like a cape, but it still couldn’t hide her swollen breasts and rounded belly.

  The fabric of her leggings hugged her fuller thighs and a rounder backside. Amazingly, even though her butt had grown bigger, her cheeks were still incredibly round and perky.

  One hand on the railing, the other on her belly, she came down the stairs slowly, smiling at Amber.

  “Hey, Amber!” Caroline called, making her way down slowly, one hand on the railing, the other on her belly. “Welcome home.”

  The word ‘home’ made Amber’s eyes widen. She watched Caroline descend, her gaze lingering on the obvious signs of pregnancy.