Part I
Juniper was most of the way through slicing a carrot when Cory waltzed through the door. Cory carried a washcloth and was rubbing the side of his face that
didn't
have paint on it. Adjusting his glasses with the crook of his arm, Juniper slowed and looked. A crooked, closed-lipped smile came over his face.
"Has it been a good session?" Juniper asked.
"Yes!" the painter beamed, a blush coloring his cheeks. Juniper smiled wider and went back to chopping the carrot, julienne style for even cooking.
"Hey," Cory started. "You know how we have been talking about... well, we've been curious about polyamory?" Juniper stopped and looked up, face suddenly impassive.
"Yes?" Juniper said, knife hesitating.
"Well," Cory rubbed at the other side of his face. "You remember Evan... my ex?"
"I remember you telling me about him, yes."
"He'll be in town this week," Cory's eyes moved from the left to the right, "and I thought... maybe he could stay with us."
"All week?" Juniper said tonelessly.
"Would that be all right?"
"Would you..." Juniper gestured in a circle with the knife. "...with him?"
"Ideally," Cory said, his lower lip tight with nervousness, "I wouldn't want it to be
off
the table," Cory said, eyes wide and curious as Cory looked Juniper in the eye. Juniper nodded, cutting the rest of the carrot.