Triple the Love

Jack - Part One

Corey

My stomach felt like a tight knot of anticipation and anxiety. I drove along the narrow dirt path, headed toward Jack’s cozy little cottage at the back of the vineyard. The view was incredible, but I couldn’t really enjoy it. The sun was already dipping below the horizon and even though the warm, golden glow highlighted the grapevines, I was still far too tense to take much notice. I had been on edge all week as I had waited for this moment. Tonight was the night I was going to propose we take our friendship to the next level. I was ready to start dating. Jack and I had been friends for so long, but both of us had been playing with fire as we flirted and teased at the possibilities of something more. I spotted his cottage up ahead and took a deep breath. This was it. My moment had arrived, and now all I had to do was navigate things and hope it wouldn’t all blow up in my face. I parked my car next to Jack’s before I got out. The smell was a welcoming distraction, and I took another deep breath as I tried to calm myself. I looked around and took a moment to appreciate my surroundings. The rows upon rows of grapevines that stretched out so far, I couldn’t quite see the end. The faint rustling of the leaves as the evening breeze caressed my face. It was so peaceful, and yet, my nerves were still shot to s**t.

“Here we go,” I whispered as I spotted Jack standing on his little porch. A soft, inviting smile played on his lips as he watched me approach. Jack was devilishly handsome in a way that made my skin tingle with excitement. He was wearing a lovely button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of jeans that fitted him perfectly. His brown hair was a bit messy, and his green eyes sparkled with affection. It was then that I noticed he had set up a table on the porch, complete with a few candles and a bottle of wine. It was intimate, cozy, and exactly the kind of setting that made my heart race just a little bit faster. Did Jack know that I was here to take things to the next level?

"Hey, boy,” Jack greeted me warmly and the term ‘boy’ made my heart skip a beat. He immediately pulled me into his arms for a hug and, as always, it felt so natural and cozy. I just wanted to stay in his arms, pressed up against him, as I breathed in his scent.

“Hey,” I greeted when we pulled apart. I made a point of looking around as I smiled. “This looks amazing,” Jack grinned as he looked at the spread he had laid out.

“Well, I thought it would be nice to enjoy a meal out here, instead of pizza and beer,” he remarked, and I laughed as my nerves settled slightly. “Take a seat,” Jack suggested, and I nodded as I slid onto one of the wooden chairs. The spread in front of me smelled delicious, and my mouth watered as I took a good look at what was on offer. It looked like a salad. Fresh greens, roasted beets, goat cheese and walnuts.

“This looks and smells so good,” I remarked casually as Jack carefully poured us each a glass of wine.

“And I hope it will taste good too,” Jack said as he sat down across from me. He lifted his glass and held it out to me. I quickly – and carefully – clinked my glass against his before I took a tentative sip. As always, the wine was smooth and rich, but light and delicious.

“It’s good,” I remarked, referring to the wine. Jack immediately looked proud as he puffed out his chest and smiled.

“Thank you, I believe this year’s harvest is going to be something special,” he said as he dished up for each of us from the bowl. The conversation was light and easy as we ate. My stomach protested as I ate, but that was only because of the nerves. The food was perfect, the wine was great, and the conversation was comfortable. Yet, my nerves were right beneath the surface. When Jack went back into his place to get the main course, I fiddled with the soft tablecloth while I waited. I wasn’t even sure why I was nervous in the first place. I already knew that Jack was into me. He had never hidden his interest and while we had become good friends, that attraction had never gone away. Of course, I had to admit to myself that I was worried about what he would think. What he might say and what he would question. Jack wasn’t a fool. He knew all about Hank. When Jack returned with two plates and set down one in front of me, my stomach rumbled loudly. Beautifully roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables.

“Oh, this looks so good,” I said as I picked up my knife and fork. Jack and his vineyard were known not only for their terrific wine but for their amazing pasta dishes. I was surprised that Jack hadn’t made pasta, but it didn’t matter. It looked and smelled amazing. As we ate, Jack told me about the harvest. He told me about his sister, and I patiently listened as I tried to build up the courage to talk to him about our situation.

“I’m sure she will feel a lot more settled once she has her practice up and running,” Jack said, and I nodded. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have. My mind was filled with potential scenarios. Jack could reject me. He could accept the idea. Or he could surprise me and tell me he is already with someone else. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself, so when we finished eating, I set down my knife and fork and took a deep breath. I couldn’t wait any longer. It was now or never.