The thing is, Peter is kind of ridiculously in love with Neal. It's not like it's a big revelation – Peter realized he was in love with Neal's mind somewhere around the second year of chasing him, and Elle knew after the fifth month (she's always had a better grasp of Peter's emotions than Peter).

And it's not that she wasn't jealous at first (she's an understanding wife, not a saint), especially after she saw a picture of Neal (it's totally not fair that someone so good looking should also be a genius), but Peter was with her, and Neal was a conman on the run. Elle's not one to dwell on problems that don't exist.

Then Neal was in jail, Peter moved on to different criminals, and Elle had other things to worry about. But then – well, then everything changed, and now Peter and Neal spend almost every waking minute together (and when they're not together, half the time Peter is tracking him through his anklet, which Elle finds a little adorable, but mostly annoying).

The thing is, she's also a bit in love with Neal. She'd gotten to know Neal well when Peter was hunting him since Peter likes to bounce ideas and thoughts off her, and she's always willing to provide a willing ear. But even when he wasn't talking about Neal, when he came home and made a conscious effort to talk about normal things, her day, the annoying neighbor, the constant, minute details that make up a life, there was always an undercurrent of Neal Neal Neal in his conversation. When she saw a picture of him it was all over for her (Elle's not ashamed to admit she's a bit shallow, but, to be fair, she did fall in love with his mind first).

So she and Peter are both in love with Neal, and it's obvious to everyone that Neal's in love with Peter (he's not in love with Elle yet, but he adores her like crazy, and she knows her own appeal. She'll give him another month before he gives in to her charms), but for men who are so intelligent, they can be very stupid. Neither one of them are ever going to make a move, even though Peter and her have been dancing around the topic of inviting Neal to join them since he first came over to their house. She tries to arrange fun, non work-related get togethers between the three of them (lunch was a stroke of genius but really, they can be so oblivious. Although she admires Neal's palette, trying dicey food is why she has a staff, and also why it's good to be boss), but somehow it always connects to one of their cases. Elle's not one to give up though (she can't, considering that Peter couldn't even ask her out to Italian food, and Neal, despite his carefree personality, is in the business of denying himself things that he really wants).

The point is Elle has plans for the future. The only foreseeable problem is Kate, but she's far away right now, and Elle has time to make Neal love them more (she doesn't believe that nonsense, though, about Kate not loving Neal even though Peter does, probably because he really wants it to be true. But Elle knows, regardless of everything else, you don't visit someone in jail every week for almost four years if you don't love him).

So Elle's got plans, starting with a date tonight. She's dolled herself up, set out Peter's sharpest suit (the one that makes her want to jump him), and Neal always looks good. Of course, the boys aren't exactly aware that they're going on a date which is a prelude to a threesome, but that's ok. She doesn't think they'll complain too much.