Nina placed two printed pages beside Agreement Draft 1 before anyone ordered dinner. Thea sat opposite her in a navy blouse and silver earrings, while I occupied the deliberately neutral chair between them. Nobody touched the waiting document until Nina finished arranging every page and uncapped her pen.
"My answer concerning formal non-monogamy with Thea is yes," Nina said, meeting her eyes instead of mine.
Thea inhaled carefully, then left both hands visible upon the table without reaching for reassurance. Her restraint protected Nina's decision from becoming an invitation to celebrate before every condition appeared.
"Please tell me what your yes means before I answer anything," Thea said, keeping her voice level.
Nina began with the reason most likely to disappear beneath everyone's fear. She wanted Kofi in her life, but she also wanted her independent connection with Thea to survive whatever romantic label followed.
