As we stepped off the ferry I immediately spotted my next date. Looking like two GQ models Sean and Owen stood confidently at the end of the river walk, looking incredibly sexy and relaxed. Sean wore a light gray suit with a purple shirt that contrasted beautifully, the top two buttons undone and no tie. Owen was his perfect counterpart in charcoal with a classic white shirt. A silver tie, that, on closer inspection, actually had a thread of pink in the pattern, completed his ensemble.
We walked straight toward them and they both smiled down at me, seeming to drink me in. Both of them left their attention focused entirely on me as they verbally greeted the boys.
Nate stepped in front of me and wrapped me up in a hug, the official end of our date. He pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Love you, Peanut. Have fun with Mr. B and the doc. We'll see you later."
I returned his embrace and then turned to Kota as Nate stepped back, slapping Sean on the back, a greeting and farewell in one.
"Happy Birthday, Ten," Kota whispered, his nose rubbing gently against mine. I returned his eskimo kiss and then he, too, was walking away, leaving me with the two beautiful men standing stoically before me.
Sean broke the stillness first, leaning in to me and pressing his lips to my cheek. He stayed close and breathed me in, then whispered, "You looking amazing, Birthday Girl. It's going to be damn near impossible to restrain myself from jumping you tonight." I laughed at his brazen statement, but it made his behavior a little more understandable. Sean was rarely so still unless he was fighting for control, which he didn't exercise very often.
Owen took my hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a formal kiss on my knuckles. "Happy Birthday, Miss Sorenson," he breathed out. With a wicked gleam in his eye he then turned my wrist and placed another, much more intimate, kiss on my palm and then one more on the inside of my wrist. I felt something low in my belly tighten and suddenly wished that we were somewhere much more intimate, just the three of us.
"Shall we?" Sean asked, some of the lightheartedness back in his voice now that he'd apparently adjusted to the sight of me. I slipped my hand into the crook of his offered elbow and felt Owen's hand settle at the small of my back as they both guided me toward the parking lot. I silently thanked Gabe for picking the perfect dress, I'd felt a bit over dressed with Nate and Kota, but now walking between these two I was immensely grateful.
Sean opened my car door for me while Owen made his way to the driver's seat and soon we were speeding smoothly off down the highway.
I threaded my fingers with Owen's as I relaxed back into the bucket seat. "Where are we going?" I asked.
"Does it matter?" Sean replied with a teasing lilt.
I looked over my shoulder at him and smiled. No. No it didn't.
"You'll see," Owen dodged.
By this point I'd learned not to push. When my boys wanted something to be a surprise there was little I could do to change their minds, especially Owen. The pouty lip didn't work on him.
It only took a few moments for me to realize where we were headed, anyway. My smile grew as we took the southbound exit and I realized we were headed toward Kinrosati's, the Italian restaurant we'd discovered six months previously. It was a happy accident that the three of us had wandered in on date night; a stop on the way back from an out of town adventure. The food was delicious and before the meal was over we'd already agreed that it would have to become a regular spot, though it was a bit out of the way.
When we returned a few weeks later the owner, a charming Italian we'd met briefly on our first visit, greeted us familiarly, welcoming us back, and our love for the place grew. The deal was really sealed, however, when we learned more about the restaurant's owner. Matteo Abbiati, the charming man we'd met, stopped to chat with us during his rounds and invited us to stay for a special dessert after closing. As we sampled his delicious tiramisu we learned the restaurant's name, Kinrosati's, was a combination of Kinder, Rosemont, and Abbiati, Matteo's last name with the last names of his two life partners, Andrea and Sasha.
We had unintentionally wandered into a poly safe haven. Apparently well known by the local poly community (and who knew there even was a local poly community?!) it was a discreet little gem right in our own backyard. Matteo had recognized us for the triad we were on our first visit, despite our general policy against outright PDA. He told us his suspicions were confirmed when all three of us returned and despite my holding Sean's hand on the way in we had sandwiched Owen between us when we sat which, he pointed out, twosomes just don't do.
Matteo told us the story of how he, Andrea, and Sasha had met and about their 33 years together so far. He invited us to come back often and we had. After that meal it had become 'our place'. We had mentioned it to the others, of course, but I hadn't gone with anyone but Sean and Owen. Even in the poly community nine partners was a bit extreme and I was afraid to lose the friend we'd found in Matteo. He'd given me no reason to believe he would judge us, but he seemed so happy with the parallels between our stories I didn't want to confuse the issue. Besides, most of my romantic date nights with the other boys were one on one and didn't require the same kind of discretion.
We pulled into the parking lot and once more Sean got my door. I slipped an arm around each of their waists and moved toward the entrance, their laced fingers bumping me occasionally from behind.
"My Friends!" Matteo greeted us enthusiastically with arms spread wide.
I slipped my arm from Sean's waist to offer him my hand, which he promptly kissed politely.
"Ahhh my dear Miss Sorenson. Am I to understand that today is your birthday?"
I grinned at him and nodded.
"Well then we must make it a special night, no? Come, come, your table is ready." He waived off the hostess and led us into the back of the restaurant himself. He headed straight to our favorite table, a corner booth that was almost entirely out of view of the rest of the dining room. I slipped into the booth first and Owen and Sean slid in on either side of me after shaking hands with Matteo.
"I have special birthday dinner planned for you," Matteo told me with a wink as a waiter dropped off a basket of bread and filled our water glasses. "Buon Appetito!"