CHAPTER 100: ANALISE (3)

"So, you expect your girlfriends to share you with each other, but also expect them to remain exclusive with you? But why? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining, I’m just curious."

"It’s simple biology. One man can impregnate multiple women, but one woman cannot carry the babies of multiple men at the same time. So men do not tolerate sharing a woman, but women can tolerate sharing a man. Assuming he can provide for all of them."

"Huh. Okay, I guess that makes sense."

"Also, full disclosure. If I decide to have a fling with someone, I won’t ask for permission from anyone. But, If I want to bring someone into my inner circle, I try to make sure she can get along with all my other girlfriends."

"Does that mean you’ll push me away if Madison or your other girlfriends don’t like me?"

"Madison is a special case. Because of what she did, she doesn’t have a say. So, as long as the two of you don’t turn out to be like fire and ice, then I’ll expect her to be the one to accommodate you. As for Miranda, she’s highly motivated to get along with all my girlfriends. Her mother is Aquitanian, so it’s in her DNA or something."

"Wait, Miranda? Like, the big bobbied slut Miranda? The one that had half the boys in school wrapped around her little finger, Miranda?"

"Yep, that one. Though, turns out she was a virgin, until she met me."

"No!" She sounded genuinely surprised.

Trish, the waitress, arrived with three plates. As she was setting them down, she asked, "Can I getcha anything else?"

They said no, and she left again in a rush.

Jack started eating, but Analise asked, "How do you know she was a virgin?"

"Blood," he replied between mouthfuls.

"Huh," was all she said.

They ate in silence for a few minutes before she asked, "What did you mean when you said you have no family? Like, you got disowned or something?"

"No. My parents died when I was ten, and they were orphans, so no next of kin. I got dumped into the foster care system and bounced around for a while. But in the end I got lucky and was placed with Fran and Jacob. They eventually adopted me, but then they, too, died. Jacob in a car crash, Fran to cancer."

She covered her mouth in horror as he told her about his bleak family history.

"That’s horrible!" she said, sounding distressed. "I had no idea."

"I don’t exactly go around advertising my past."

"No, I guess not. Still, I can’t imagine what that must be like. Is this why you want more than one girlfriend? Because you don’t have any family?"

"Maybe. It has definitely influenced my preference for meaningful relationships over pure sex. And maybe it’s the reason why I’m limiting myself to just a few girls, quality over quantity."

This was only partly true. The real reason he was limiting himself to Katie, Sam, and Analise was because they had all show an interest in him, prior to his soul strength increase. He was including Robin because he liked her enthusiasm, and because she was one of the girls he had asked out. He still wasn’t certain how much his extra soul strength was effecting the people he met, so he planned to limit himself to past connections for now.

Oh, who was he kidding? If Wendy and Vivian had turned out to be nice girls, he would have taken them back to his hotel room. The only reason he turned down the Yokorian chick was because she seemed maybe a little unstable. As for the military chick, he’d just had the encounter with the Yokorian chick and was still wary. Her comment to herself as he walked away helped convince him he’d made the right choice.

"I guess I can understand that." Then in a lighter tone, "And hey, you just said I’m quality, so no take-back’sies."

He chuckled, "Sure, you’re quality."

"So, you know those fan boys that were trying to crowd Berkheimer on Monday?" she asked.

"Yes, one of them was putting off serious young master vibes. All he needed to do to sell the role was yell, ’how dare you ignore me!’"

She laughed. "Oh, you’re right. And, speaking of young masters, did you read..."

They talked about what books and web novels they read and about chemistry. He learned that she did not understand the appeal of reverse-haram novels, preferred sci-fi over fantasy, and was having trouble deciding what specialty she wanted to pursue.

After finishing and paying their checks, they were walking out the door when Analise asked, "Did Trish give you her phone number?"

"Yep."

"Are you going to call her?"

"No. Why would I?" Trish was okay looking, but there was no spark, no sense of connection. She looked at him the way the Yokorian chick and the ROTC girl had looked at him.

"But, why not?" She sounded more curious than anything else.

"No spark. I’m just not interested."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense. Was that why you turned down the other four?"

"No, the first sounded maybe a little crazy, the second I think asked on impulse but might have regretted it afterword’s, and the last two turned out to be selfish or ideologically incompatible."

They walked in silence for a few minutes before she said, "A lot of boys have asked me out over the last few years. And out of all of them, you’re the only one that made me feel like you were talking to me, instead of my body. And out of all of them, you’re the only one I regretted rejecting. I’m not sure if I can be comfortable sharing you with two, let alone five, other girls. But I think I’m willing to give it a try."

"That’s great to hear, Analise. I look forward to seeing you more. Are we still on for this Saturday?"

"Yes! I want to see this Lake Valhalla you talked about."

"From the weather forecast, it looks like it will be warm, with clear skies, so bring a bathing suit and towel if you want."

"Hmm, I just might do that."