It’s usually hard for me to sleep in, after so many years of getting started early in the day. That morning, it was not a problem. The bed was so warm and comfy and my bunnies were so snuggly that even the thought of getting up to go work out never even entered my mind. Well, O.K., it did, but only for the most fleeting of moments. The idea that replaced it was much better- staying in bed and getting a workout. Or, maybe, just enjoying the moment as it was. After all, both of the girls were sleeping peacefully, tired from the night’s activities. It would be selfish to wake them up just because I was in the mood, right?

I must have drifted off again, waking up once more when Angela tried to slide out from under my arm without disturbing me.

“G’morning,” I mumbled quietly, trying not to wake Emmy up.

“Morning,” Angela whispered in reply.

“M’gon sleep a bit longer,” Emmy said, not really waking up, just rolling over to a more comfortable position.

Amused, I gave Emmy a kiss, then slipped out of bed with Angela. I had no intention of going out for a run or even a light workout in the home gym, but I did need to use the bathroom and take a shower before facing the day, even if that just meant walking to the local bakery for breakfast pastries.

“Thanks for last night,” Angela said as we showered. “You and Emmy- I just sometimes feel, I don’t know…”

“We want you to feel loved,” I said as I shampooed her thick, dark hair. “Because you are.”

Angela leaned back into me, reaching around behind her to wrap an arm around my middle to pull me in tight. “Sometimes it seems like this is all a dream, you know? Like it can’t be real. I’m just going to wake up and find out none of this really happened.”

“It really is happening, baby,” I said, wrapping my arms around her upper chest. “You are going to wake up, and Emmy and I are going to be right next to you in bed.”

Angela turned around in my arms to face me, again pulling me in tight, but this time for a kiss. “I’m going to miss you so much when you go back to Los Angeles tomorrow,” she said when we parted. “I hate the idea of you being there by yourself.”

“I hate the idea of Emmy being here by herself even more,” I said, giving Angela another kiss.

“She’s not,” Angela countered. “She has Jackson and Lee, and Jen, to keep her company, and also Luisa and Mia. This house is full of people. The apartment in LA? It’s empty.”

“That may be true,” I conceded. “But none of those people will make sure she gets to bed at a reasonable hour, or make sure she remembers to eat, or, especially, tell her she’s loved.”

“I suppose not,” Angela agreed.

After our shower and our familiar game of drying each other off, Angela and I got dressed for the day. I’d made no plans, but the weather looked nice and clear and sunny, so I wanted to go out and do something fun.

When we emerged from the dressing room, Emmy was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?” she asked, her voice still sleepy.

“Almost ten,” I said, checking my watch.

Angela crossed over to the bed and leaned down to give Emmy a good-morning kiss. “It’s a beautiful day outside. Wanna go to the Empire State Building today?”

Emmy pulled Angela down for another kiss. “What time? When do we have to go?”

“If you guys want to go to the Empire State Building, I’ll get us reservations. I’ll see what I can get,” I said, also kissing Emmy. “Now get up, Sleeping Beauty, so we can grab a late breakfast.”

“You are a horrible taskmaster, Beast!” Emmy replied with a laugh as she climbed out of bed.

“The beatings will continue until you love me!” I growled in my best Robby Benson impersonation.

Angela watched this exchange with puzzlement, wondering what the heck we were talking about.

“You must have Leah show you her beastly side,” Emmy told her. “She keeps it hidden most of the time, but when it comes out to play…” With that, Emmy sashayed past us and into the bathroom.

“Beastly side?” Angela asked me.

“It’s- Well, I was gonna say ‘it’s complicated’, but it’s really not. It’s just a sort of game Emmy and I play.”

“Um, like a sex game?” Angela asked, sounding intrigued.

“Sorta,” I said. “But not just sex. Sometimes just in private moments like just now.”

“Sleeping Beauty and the Beast weren’t the same story,” Angela said, her brow still wrinkled. She was so adorable, the way her face showed her every emotion.

“No, they weren’t, and that’s part of the joke,” I said with a shrug. “I think it actually all started when we went to see the Disney movie about Rapunzel.”

Still frowning with confusion, Angela said, “It’s true, you can be very Beastly.”

For whatever reason, this reminded me of the talks I’d said we needed to have, but never got around to. I plopped my butt heavily on the side of the bed, and patted next to me to indicate that Angela should sit.

She opted to sit sideways on my lap instead, but that was O.K. with me.

“Ange,” I said. “You know I said we needed to talk?”

She nodded, looking a bit apprehensive.

“Well, there are a lot of things about our life that really are kind of like a fairy tale, and you really should know them. Some are good, some are bad, but it isn’t fair to bring you into our life without you knowing- without you having all the details that might have some very real impact on your life. Will have some impact,” I corrected.

“Like what?” she asked, her big, blue eyes wide.

I reached up and smoothed out the worry furrows from her forehead and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Emmy needs to be here for this conversation,” I said. “But I don’t want you to worry about one thing. Emmy and I do love you very much, and we want you to be happy, and with us. That’s the most important part.”

“I am happy,” Angela said. “You two have made me so happy I can’t even believe it. I just- sometimes, when I’m all alone, and I think about you and Emmy and how my life has completely turned around, I just sometimes dance with myself, you know? Just a happy little dance, that’s all, to, like, celebrate, you know?”

“Turned around?” I asked.

“I know now I wasn’t happy with Antonio,” Angela said, the smile vanishing from her face. “I thought I was, but now, looking back, I know I wasn’t, even before he got arrested. He was- um, he wasn’t mean to me, and he never hit me or anything like that, but I don’t think he really respected me, either. I think I was… Something he thought he deserved, I guess. Like, I was his property, more than I was a partner, you understand?” she asked, but I just nodded to let her know I did, but didn’t want to interrupt her train of thought.

“I see you and Emmy, and you both love and trust each other. You’re O.K. with her coming to New York without you, and she has no problem you going to Los Angeles or San Jose without her. You don’t, I don’t know, feel a need to keep an eye on each other, you know? And here I am, and neither of you is jealous, or anything,” Angela said, leaning her forehead against mine. “You guys are so… So perfect. I still just can’t believe how lucky I am to have met you.”

“We’re lucky you came into our lives, too,” I said, nuzzling behind her ear. “We’re grateful to Antonio for getting arrested.”

That got the laugh I was hoping for, and by the time Emmy finished in the shower she found us making out like teenagers on the bed. We hadn’t gotten to the ‘remove clothes’ stage, but certainly the ‘grope’ stage was well underway.

“Should I get dressed, or are you two planning on getting naked, too?” Emmy asked, her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face.

“No, no, we’ll be good,” Angela said, extricating herself and sitting up. “I really do want to go see the Empire State Building.”

While Angela went into the dressing room to ‘help Emmy get dressed’, I got out my phone and looked into tickets for the three of us. I saw that the sunset time slot was available for the VIP tour, so I went ahead and bought them, figuring it was a stroke of luck.

Still, that left us with many hours to kill before it was time for the tour. I briefly toyed with the idea of a double shot of elevated views with a Rockefeller Observatory tour, but thought that might be too much. Slumping back on the pillows against the headboard, I realized that I didn’t need to entertain Emmy and Angela. They were perfectly capable of making their own choices and picking out what they wanted to do. I had my contribution taken care of- the rest of the day could be left in their hands.

When they emerged from the dressing room, I said as much. Emmy got a thoughtful look on her face and pulled out her phone. She made a call, and when the person on the other end answered, Emmy introduced herself and said that she’d like to book a table for three that evening at eight. Satisfied, Emmy thanked the person, then hung up.

“We will have dinner at Per Se tonight,” she announced. “That takes care of that.”

“Per Se?” Angela asked.

“You will love it,” Emmy said. “Do you remember the restaurant in Chicago? Per Se is a lot like that.”

“Oh. My. God!” Angela said, covering her mouth with her hands. “That was the best dinner I ever had in my life!”

“And tonight you will have another just as delicious,” Emmy said.

“So that just leaves us with, um,” I said and checked my watch. “Five hours or so to kill.”

“Shopping,” Emmy declared. “We must visit some designer boutiques,” she said, looking right at me as if to dare me to complain. I held my hands up in surrender, knowing that this was a thing that Emmy enjoyed, and I’d hate to spoil it for her.

Angela had a concerned look on her face, and I think I knew why.

“Em,” I said, indicating that she should sit on the bed with me for a moment. When she did, a puzzled look on her face, I explained. “Angela is going through the same process I did, back when we first got together. Do you remember how awkward I felt every time you spent money on me?”

Glancing at Angela and seeing the look on her face convinced me I’d hit the nail on the head. “I think Angela has some of the same concerns I did. She likes the things you buy her, and likes that you want to get her nice things, but she feels, I dunno, maybe a bit guilty about accepting them?” I suggested, again looking for confirmation from Angela, who nodded slightly. “Also, there might be a little bit of, well, maybe some stigma about feeling as if you’re buying her love. She doesn’t want to feel like a ‘kept woman’,” I said, making air quotes. “I know you don’t mean it that way, and she knows it too, but there’s the whole social construct around this sort of wealth disparity. We both know better, but a lot of people might look at this and think she’s just in it for the money.”

“Is this true?” Emmy asked Angela, her voice sad.

“It- like Leah said, I know you don’t mean it that way, and… Well, if I start wearing a, I don’t know, Cartier watch or something, people are going to guess that you guys bought it for me, and they’ll think just what Leah said. That I’m only with you two because of your money,” Angela said, not meeting Emmy’s eyes. Angela’s shoulders were slumped, and her normally cheerful voice was sorrowful. “I don’t know what to do!” she wailed softly, if such a thing is possible.

Emmy stood up and embraced Angela, holding her gently while she cried. I did the same, wrapping the two in my arms. Neither Emmy nor I said anything, just silently supported Angela while she got it out of her system.

When Angela’s tears finally ran dry, I said, “Angela, we know it’s not true. You know it’s not true. People are going to say a lot of mean things about the three of us, once everybody figures out our relationship, you know that, right? I hate to break it to you, but that’s probably going to start tomorrow.”

“What do you mean?” Angela asked, sniffling.

“The last time we ate at the restaurant we’re going to tonight, we took Luisa. Paparazzi pictures of the three of us were all over the tabloid websites the next day with the headline “Who is Emmy and Leah’s new plaything?”

“Are you serious?” Angela asked. When I pursed my lips and nodded, she got a disbelieving look on her face. “Luisa? They thought you guys and her?”

“That is how it works with the tabloid media,” Emmy confirmed. “All they need is a photo, and they make up the rest.”

“But this time, it’ll be true,” I said. “You really are in a relationship with Emmy and me. The tabloids didn’t follow up on the Luisa story because they quickly figured out it was bullshit. But with you, they’ll find out who you are, and they’ll post some of your sexy Instagram pictures, call you ‘South American Beauty’, which is absolutely true. They won’t play the gold-digger angle, because they won’t care. They’ll play the angle that Emmy and I are wild lesbian sex fiends who’ve found some hot new babe to fill our bed, and you’re hot, alright.”

“You warned me this would happen sooner or later,” Angela said, and I just nodded in agreement. “I said that I didn’t care. I… I still don’t care, but I wish it didn’t have to happen like this.”

“We do not have to go out tonight,” Emmy said. “You do not have to face this yet if you do not want to.”

Angela took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “No, I want to go out tonight. If this is going to happen, it might as well be tonight. I want you two very much, and I’m not going to let something like this take me away from you.”

“Does this mean that we can go to the Cartier boutique?” Emmy asked, her hopes rising.

“I want you to understand something,” Angela told Emmy. “You can buy me a Cartier watch, but you can’t buy my love.” Seeing Emmy’s puzzled expression, Angela added, “I already gave it to you for free.”

Emmy’s sweet, musical laugh filled the room as the tension in the air eased. “I am so very pleased that you feel this way,” she said. “Leah is a terrible shopper. I love to buy her clothes, beautiful clothes, but she just wants to wear the same old jeans and sweatshirts. You, you can be my partner in crime. Together, we can convince Leah to try on, and perhaps even buy, beautiful dresses, skirts, perhaps even some nice shoes. While we do this, we can pick out a few things for ourselves.”

“Maybe I’ll just relax here while you guys go shopping,” I said with a groan, flopping onto the bed again.

“Oh, no, there is no escaping this torture,” Emmy laughed as she and Angela took my hands and pulled me upright.

True to Emmy’s word, she had Wally drop us off at the Cartier boutique on Fifth Avenue for our first stop. As the big sedan pulled up in front and the doorman came to open the car door, I gave Angela’s hand a squeeze.

“We know the truth,” I said. “That’s what matters.”

She squeezed my hand back and gave me a grateful smile. “Please don’t let Emmy buy me anything too expensive,” she whispered. “I have an idea.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I said, wondering what this idea might be.

On the sidewalk, Angela shot a quick selfie with the famous storefront behind her, making sure that Emmy and I weren’t in the shot. I figured it was for her socials, and the whole ‘selling the lifestyle’ thing.

Emmy led the way into the store in her typical imperious fashion, and of course, everyone in the store recognized her instantly. When a well-dressed young man approached and asked if he could help us, Emmy told him that we wanted to see watches for our friend, indicating Angela, and he should ask her what she wanted.

To the guy’s credit, he didn’t blink at Angela’s fast-fashion outfit, despite the fact that it was indicative of a lower economic status than most of the rest of the shoppers in the store.

“Miss, you’d like to look at watches? Do you have any preferences? Round, oval, square?” he asked Angela, devoting his full attention to her. I was impressed at the guy’s professionalism. Once Emmy had indicated that Angela was the customer, the sales guy’s whole focus shifted away from the famous celebrity to the unknown, not as well-dressed person standing next to her. I’d noticed him giving me a quick once-over, and picked out that he’d spotted my Patek Phillippe, reassuring him that I was among the moneyed class as well. Angela, though, had none of the indicators.

As Angela and the salesman got into their discussion, I pulled Emmy aside a little bit. “Let Angela pick out the watch,” I said in a low voice. “Maybe help her find something that looks good- you have excellent taste for that kind of thing, but let her have the final say.”

“Of course,” Emmy said, looking surprised I’d even bother to say it. “We are buying a watch for her, and so it must be the one that she would want to wear.”

Satisfied, I said, “Thanks. It means a lot to her.”

The two of us followed Angela and the salesman into the elevator and went up to the third floor, where the sales guy led Angela to a display of women’s watches. The two discussed several models, Angela trying them on before dismissing them, finally deciding on a pretty mid-sized round model with a classy stainless case and pink leather strap.

Emmy and I voiced our approval, and really, it was perfect for Angela. It was feminine, but not dainty at all, with a classic elegance. It looked great on her, and I could tell that she absolutely loved it.

“I adore that on you!” Emmy said, holding Angela’s wrist for inspection. "The color- I would not have thought to look for a watch quite so… pink, but on you, it is perfect,” she said.

I nodded to the sales guy, giving him a silent thanks for finding the right watch for Angela. Really, it was perfect for her.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, ladies?” he asked.

“No, I think that is all for today,” Emmy replied. “But you have been very, very helpful. I am afraid I did not catch your name- I would like to be able to ask for you the next time we visit. Do you have a card?”

This was exactly the right thing to say to make the guy’s day, and he had a business card with his name on it in her hand so fast it almost seemed like a magic trick.

“Thank you, Hunter,” Emmy said. Then, as if it just occurred to her, she asked, “Are repairs done on site? My pearl necklace really needs to be restored.”

“Yes, our atelier is on the fourth floor,” Hunter replied. “Your necklace, is it Cartier?”

“Yes, but it is old. I think my great grandmother bought it almost a hundred years ago,” Emmy replied.

“Please, bring it in. Our experts will evaluate it and let you know what can be done to restore it to like-new condition,” Hunter said, obviously understanding that repeat customers are the best, and old money best of all.

“I shall have to do that,” Emmy replied. Of course, she’d had the necklace fixed after the alley attack in San Francisco, but she’d complained that one of the pearls had gotten lost and it felt a bit too snug, so she never wore it anymore. Maybe replacing the one and adding two more would make the whole thing that much more comfortable, I thought, wondering if I should send it to New York when I got home to LA. That might make a nice surprise for Emmy…

Satisfied we were done shopping for the day, Hunter ushered us into a small room to pay for the watch. The first time I’d seen this sort of thing I’d thought it funny that they wanted to keep the filthy business of money changing hands out of sight of the genteel customers in the main areas, but I guess from a practical standpoint it made sense, too. I mean, I wouldn’t want the whole shop to know I’d just spent two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a necklace for my girlfriend, as an example. Emmy paid, while Angela looked both very happy with her new watch, but a bit sheepish that Emmy just dropped over six grand on a fashion accessory for her, too.

Figuring we could just walk down Fifth Avenue to whatever boutique might be next, I didn’t bother texting Wally to come get us.

As we exited, Angela snapped a picture of her wrist with the watch on it with the storefront in the background, presumably for the socials again.

“Are you two hungry? Emmy asked. “There is a good restaurant in Armani, which is only a few blocks away.”

“Sounds good,” I agreed as she led us north.

“Ange, that watch really is perfect for you,” I said, catching her gazing at her wrist. Then, quietly, I asked, “Are you O.K. with everything?”

“Yes,” she replied. “It’s perfect. It’s all perfect,” she said. “I wanted to kiss you and Emmy so bad in there, I just about exploded. I want to kiss you right here, right now, in the middle of the sidewalk. I can’t wait until we get home.”

I gave her a companionable pat on the back. “I’m glad you like it. Just remember what I said about the panties Emmy bought you. To her, you just needed a pretty watch, so she bought you one. I’m not saying it doesn’t mean anything to her- far from it. It’s just that the price of the watch was totally immaterial. She got it because she wanted you to have a nice watch, and it really does look great on you. End of story.”

“I know,” Angela said. “I get it. But I’ve never had anything as nice in my life before. Ever. I feel like you guys are just giving me so much, and I…”

“Emmy and I are both happy to do it,” I said. “You make us happy.”

“It is true,” Emmy said, looking back over her shoulder at us. “The look of pleasure on your face when you selected that pretty pink watch made my day that much brighter. It was worth every penny to see that smile.”