Nilla had never felt more like a coward and a lion at the same time. She stood in front of the mirror in a deep navy blouse and soft slacks, nerves buzzing beneath her skin. The restaurant she chose was quiet, intimate—somewhere neutral. Somewhere safe.
James arrived first, sharp in a button-down, his expression curious. Then Theo, five minutes later, dressed with casual precision and a knowing look in his eyes. She had told them it was important. She hadn't told them why. Not until they sat down. She didn't let them order.
"Before we eat," she said softly, "I need to say something."
James's eyes narrowed slightly in concern. Theo gave her his full attention.
"I invited you both here because I care about you. Deeply. And that's the problem."
A silence dropped like a stone.
She continued. "These last few months have been… amazing and confusing. You're both important to me. You've both shown me respect and care and understanding I never thought I'd get again. I've felt things I wasn't ready for and things I didn't expect."
She took a shaky breath.
"But I can't choose between you. Not now. Maybe not ever."
James and Theo didn't move.
"You both deserve more than to be someone's question mark. You shouldn't have to wait around while I try to untangle the knots in my heart. I respect you too much for that. So if either of you—both of you—decide to walk away, I will understand. No drama. No guilt."
James leaned back first, eyes thoughtful. "That's… honest. More honest than most people ever are."
Theo nodded slowly. "You told the truth even though it cost you something. That matters."
She looked between them, throat tight. "I'm not asking anyone to stay in limbo. But I had to be fair. To you. To myself."
James's smile was small but real. "You've grown a lot, Nilla."
Theo glanced at James, then at her. "We'll think about what we want, too. And when we figure it out, we'll let you know."
She swallowed hard, trying not to cry.
They ordered dinner after that. It wasn't awkward, not really—just… different. Real.
By the time they left the restaurant, all three stood outside in the soft evening breeze, a fragile peace between them.
James turned to Theo, a little grin playing on his lips. "Drink?"
Theo arched a brow. "Is that a challenge or a peace offering?"
"Both," James replied.
Theo looked at Nilla. "We'll take good care of each other."
She laughed through her tears. "Try not to kill each other."
They both offered small, sincere smiles before walking off together into the night.
The bar was quiet, dimly lit, the kind of place where secrets clung to the wood grain of the counter and old jazz hummed in the corners.
James ordered two whiskeys without asking. Theo didn't protest. They sat at the end of the bar, two men who might've been enemies in another story, but in this one—well, things were complicated.
James took the first sip and said, "So… this is weird, right?"
Theo gave a short laugh. "Weird's one word for it."
Silence settled between them for a beat, comfortable in its discomfort.
"She really got under your skin too, huh?" James finally asked, twirling the glass in his hand.
Theo nodded, slowly. "Yeah. She did. Still does."
James studied him, no hostility in his gaze—just curiosity and something else. "I didn't think I'd like you. You're basically the guy I was afraid she'd meet after me."
Theo smirked. "And I thought you'd be a smug jackass."
They both chuckled.
"To be fair," James added, "I used to be one."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "Used to be?"
"Okay," James said with a grin, "still working on it."
Another pause. Another sip of whiskey.
James set his glass down and looked at Theo seriously. "You love her."
It wasn't a question.
Theo nodded again. "You do too."
James sighed. "Yeah."
They both looked straight ahead, then back at their glasses.
"Funny thing," James said quietly, "I thought I was the only one who could love her right. Then I met her again and realized… she didn't need saving. She just needed space. And you gave that to her when I couldn't."
Theo's voice was soft but firm. "I gave it to her because I learned what love looked like when it wasn't about possession."
Their eyes met again. Not challengers now, but comrades in some strange, emotional campaign.
"Do you think she'll choose?" James asked.
Theo shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. She might choose herself."
"I hope she does," James said. "She deserves everything. And I want to be the kind of man who can be part of that, not a detour."
Theo raised his glass. "To that."
They clinked glasses gently. A beat.
"You know," James said with a grin, "if this were a rom-com, we'd end up best friends."
Theo chuckled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"But drinks now and then?" James offered.
Theo nodded. "As long as it doesn't involve karaoke."
"Oh no," James said with mock horror, "now it's mandatory."
They both laughed, a quiet thread of camaraderie forming between them—born from love, loss, and the shared understanding that real men root for the woman they love, even if it might not be them.