Bharath shifted slightly, leaning forward, arms now resting on his knees. “We’ve been talking about how to tell her. And we realized… you might be the best person to help us figure that out.”

  Mia stared at them. “Wait. Back up. You want me to help you break this to Mom?”

  Sarah nodded. “It sounds crazy, I know. But you know her. Mari says you know how to read her moods better than anyone. You’re her favorite.”

  “I am not her favorite,” Mia said, heat rushing to her cheeks.

  “Please,” Marisol said, raising a brow. “She calls you her ‘future genius’ and once said I should ‘take notes’ from how intelligent you are.”

  “That was after you dyed your hair with Kool-Aid and skipped css to go to a punk show,” Mia muttered.

  “Details,” Marisol shrugged.

  “We need pictures,” whooped Sarah.

  Mia folded her arms, suddenly aware of how strange it was to be talking about their mother in the same breath as the trio curled up in front of her-the trio that had kissed, touched, and shared a man like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  “But seriously,” Marisol said. “We don’t want to blindside her. And we don’t want her to hate Bharath more than she does already.”

  “She doesn’t hate him,” Mia said automatically. “She’s… cautious. But I think she respects him now.”

  “Which is why this has to be handled delicately,” Bharath added. “I’m already skating on thin ice just by dating her daughter. Let alone… Sarah as well.”

  Mia looked from him to Sarah and Marisol again.

  She felt something unfurl in her chest.

  They’re including me.

  Not just in strategy.

  But in trust.

  In a private thing that could shake everything.

  And the truth was, she wanted to help. Desperately.

  Not just for Marisol.

  For Bharath. Because some part of her-the part that had been squeezing her thighs together all night and imagining what it would feel like to press her lips to the same skin they had-was quietly screaming: This is your in.

  If she helped them… she’d be close.

  Closer than ever.

  And maybe-maybe-if they saw how good she was at navigating all this, they’d start imagining what it would be like to have her in more than just a strategic role. They are even open to sharing him with each other.

  Maybe I could belong here too.

  “I’m in,” Mia said finally, voice a little breathless.

  Sarah’s eyes sparkled. “You are?”

  Mia nodded, her chest buzzing. “You’ll need someone who can soften the blow. Mom’s old-fashioned, but if she sees how happy Marisol is… and how honest you all are…” She trailed off, then looked up. “It could work.”

  Marisol smiled wide and proud. “That’s my baby sister.”

  Mia rolled her eyes. “I’m not a baby.”

  “Fine. Hot sister who’s smarter than me.”

  “Now you’re pandering.”

  But the warmth in the room thickened.

  Bharath leaned back, his expression fond. “Thank you, Mia. Seriously. This means a lot.”

  She looked at him-looked at how his arm was slung around Marisol, how Sarah had nestled into his other side-and something in her pulse kicked.

  She wondered-if she leaned in now… would he pull her close too?

  She didn’t move.

  But she thought about it.

  Mia tucked her legs under her, the hem of Marisol’s borrowed T-shirt barely grazing the tops of her thighs. Her gaze flicked to Bharath, then down to her p, then back to him again.

  Her voice came quieter this time. Not teasing. Not strategic.

  “Can I ask something… personal?”

  Bharath nodded, his expression open. “Always.”

  She hesitated for just a moment. “How is this fair?”

  Marisol cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean…” Mia gnced between the three of them. “You two are obviously in love with him. And you’re sharing him. But… he’s not sharing you. With anyone else. It’s kind of a one-way street, right?”

  Bharath’s shoulders stiffened immediately. “I’ve wondered that too,” he admitted, voice lower now. “A lot. I’ve always felt it’s... unequal. Sometimes I think I don’t deserve what they give me.”

  “Sometimes I feel like I tricked you both into this,” Bharath said, his voice barely audible. “I showed up-awkward, horny, lonely-and you two… god. You’re so out of my league it’s almost embarrassing. If you left me tomorrow, I’d get it.”

  Sarah turned toward him, face softening. “Oh, baby.”

  Marisol snorted. “Oh please. He’s doing it again. The martyr dialogue,” said Marisol exasperated.

  Sarah nodded. “Full performance. Sad eyes and everything.”

  “Hey,” Bharath said weakly.

  Marisol leaned in, eyes narrowed affectionately. “You think I gave you my heart, my body, my soul because you’re some charity case? I chose you. I choose you. Every single day. I could walk away if I wanted to. If you remember correctly I had to literally spell out the fact that I was interested in you. Don’t you remember even Tyrel, Ravi and Jorge and their Operation whatever to get us together? We even went to that frat party to encourage you to believe that I was interested in you. I was a cold, hard bitch before I fell in love with you. Now I feel free, loved and at peace with the world. You help me overcome my trust issues with people with your love.”

  Sarah folded her arms. “And do you think if I wanted some hot jock or sugar daddy, I couldn’t make that happen in five seconds ft?”

  “You could,” Mia murmured, genuinely. “You’re both... kind of insane.”

  “Exactly,” Sarah said. “But this idiot-” she poked Bharath’s arm “-makes me feel wanted and alive. Worshiped. Desired. Safe. No one’s ever done that and meant it. You know how I was before and what you have done for me. You saved me from myself Bharath. Mia, I would like you to know that I am what I am today because of Bharath and his love for me. And of course my bestie Mari as well.”

  Marisol gave Sarah a flying kiss.

  “It’s true,” Bharath said, gncing down at his hands. “You both are so beautiful! So intelligent! So amazing! You could have any man of your choosing. Yet you give me everything. And I-I don’t know if I could ever watch either of you with someone else. Just the thought…” His throat bobbed. “I’d lose my mind.”

  Marisol smiled. “We know.”

  He looked up at her, guilt etched into every line of his face.

  “And we love you more for it,” Sarah said gently, reaching across to take his hand.

  “That sounds like fear,” Mia said bluntly. “You’re scared to lose them. I get that. But that doesn’t mean it’s fair.”

  “Mia,” Sarah said gently, “fairness isn’t always symmetry.”

  “It is to me,” Mia said. “At least… it used to be.”

  She looked at Bharath, eyes locked. “But now I’m watching you. Watching them with you. And I’m thinking maybe-maybe I’ve had it backwards. Maybe it’s not about keeping power. Maybe it’s about giving it to someone who’s worth it.”

  “But doesn’t it bother you?” Mia asked, her voice threaded with genuine confusion. “Like… doesn’t it feel like you’re giving up something?”