"You look fantastic—but you always do," Karla says as we hug.
"Look who finally decided to show up," Valentina teases, sliding into the booth.
Anat pulls me into another hug, warm and grounding. Beth and Valerie follow, and soon the table fills. James drops into the seat beside me just as Karla heads for the stage.
I link my arm through James's and lace my fingers with Anat's.
This—this closeness—is what I love most about us. But it's also earned.
"Hello everyone! Tonight, I would like to serenade you with some of my newest songs. So get your drinks, grab a seat, and be prepared to be enchanted!" Karla announces, eliciting applauses, whistles, and table slaps from the lively crowd at the bustling dive bar. The crowd is an impressive mix for a Wednesday night.
The crowd settles. Glasses clink. Laughter fades.
The first note lands—soft, aching.
The room quiets.
Karla's voice follows. Low. Smooth. Unhurried. Not demanding.
Just… free.
Something in my chest tightens.
Love shouldn't feel like a cage.
My thoughts drift—uninvited.
To him.
Mr. Silence. The way he looks at me. The way he doesn't.
Karla sings about love without ownership. Without jealousy. Without needing to hold on.
I don't catch every word. I don't need to. I feel it.
The kind of love that lets go. The kind of love I chose.
And somehow—it still hurts.
His voice dips, deepens.
And suddenly, I see him clearly. The control. The restraint. The quiet dominance in everything he does.
He doesn't understand this kind of love.
And I don't know if I want him to. It's enough that I get to love him. Loving him—even if he never chooses me.
The last note fades.
The room erupts—applause, whistles, laughter.
I don't join in.
"So," Anat nudges, turning to me and James. "What's new?"
"I met a new couple. Older husband, gorgeous young wife. Great couple. He likes to watch me go all out on her. It's sexy and erotic," James replies.
We're both on the edge of our seats, eyes open wide, and leaning forward.
"More details!" I demand.
"She loves it when I just ramp into her. We go at it for hours, and he watches from the side while masturbating."
"That's a great loving husband right there," Anat remarks, and I nod.
Their attention zoom onto me. My cheeks redden. "I met someone…" I hesitate. "I love him."
"Mr. Silence?" Anat asks excitedly.
"Who's Mr. Silence?" James looks curious.
I bite my lower lip. "He's... the most elegant man I've ever met. Ten years older than me... I think he's the man from romance novels."
"Oh boy," Anat interjects.
"Tall, dark, handsome, wealthy, an alpha male with a perfectly strong masculine body...." I add but trail off, too afraid to add the rest.
"Monogamous, egotistic, possessive, great in bed, and shallow," Anat finishes.
"No, he's not like that. He is tender, loving, and kind. Generous. A man of few words, but he's decisive and confident, so he's action-oriented. When I look into his eyes, I feel like..."
"Shit... you have a soul connection with him," Anat looks at me worriedly.
I nod shyly.
"Monogamous is the biggest problem," James remarks.
"I know." I swallow. "It doesn't matter. It's casual for him. He… loves someone else."
Valentina appears out of nowhere, sliding into the booth. "Who got a new lover!"
Anat raises my hand, while James raises his.
Anat raises my hand like she's announcing a winner.
"This one."
"Ohhh," Karla calls out as he walks over, grinning. "That sounds messy."
"How is he in bed?" Valentina asks immediately.
"He's monogamous," Anat answers.
Everyone gasps.
"Oh, you naughty, naughty girl. You're in for a ride!" Valentina reprimands while patting me emphatically.
Valentina is sixty-two years old with forty years of experiences in the poly life. She and Beth are our mentors in these matters.
"It's not going anywhere," I say quickly. "It's over."
Beth smiles, calm and knowing. "We'll see."