#clemmings

Luke’s theory is entirely plausible. You’ve never been the best at either of those things and it’s cost you dearly in the romance department in the past. No end of your potential dates have ended up with someone else because you've been; either oblivious to their attraction towards you, or too nervous to encourage them or ask them out yourself. The fact that you’ve always had a secret,  underlying attraction towards Luke, may have also played a part in those missed opportunities, but you refuse to dwell too much on that. “Well, I…”

“Just fucking ask him out, or I’m going to do it for you.” Luke interrupts as he stops outside the coffee shop doors. “I mean, what’s the worst than can happen?”

“Umm, I could embarrass myself spectacularly because his most likely reply will be ‘oh, this is awkward, I’m kind of more interested in your dumb, lanky friend!’” You reply quickly. “Then we’d have to find a new place to buy coffee every morning and that would suck.”

Luke chuckles, holding your shoulders and gently forcing you to look him in the eye. “The worst that can happen in this scenario, is that you’ll go on a date with a cute guy. Even if you don’t get along all that well, I’ll call you with a fake emergency, you leave and you never have to see him again.”

Despite the warmth and kindness in Luke’s voice, you’re a little annoyed that he’s entirely missing the point. “Can’t we just leave this alone and continue to admire him from a distance, it wouldn’t be fair to make him choose between us anyway.”

For a moment, you expect Luke to argue but he simply pouts. “Fine, be dateless, you can’t say I haven’t tried!”

You slap Luke playfully on the arm before you reach past him to open the door. As you step inside the cosy little cafe, familiar nervous butterflies spring to life in your tummy. They multiply when the pretty barista looks up from the counter at the sound of the tinkling bell above the door. His handsome face lights up in a beaming smile as his green eyes meet yours. “Good morning!” He chirps, far too happily for this ungodly hour, in your opinion. “What can I get for you both today?”

It’s hard not to notice that sparkle in the barista’s eyes as he speaks. Maybe your best friend is right, perhaps Michael, does have a bit of a thing for you. 

Thankfully the cafe is empty this morning, it’s still pretty early. You and Luke often try and beat the morning rush, it seems you’ve managed it today.

“We’ll have our usual please, Mike!” Luke responds, his tone unashamedly flirtatious, as always. “It’s okay if I call you that, right?”

The blonde man glances over at Luke, that sparkle of what you hoped was attraction, remaining firmly in place as his eyes land on your friend. “Sure.” He giggles. “I think it’s only fair that I finally get to put names to the faces of my two favourite customers in return, though.”

The sound of his little laugh only serves to make you fall even harder for this almost-stranger. As you watch him, his gaze drifts back to you and you subconsciously walk closer to the counter as you shyly tell him your name. “And you can just call him, idiot.” You add, jabbing your thumb in Luke’s general direction.

“Or you could call me your very favourite customer!” Your best friend interjects. “Because let’s face it, I’m a fucking delight to be around, especially this early in the morning. But if you want the boring answer, you’d probably better just stick to Luke.”

“I guess I should stick to your actual names.” Michael smirks, raising his eyebrows flirtatiously at each of you in turn. “At least for now…”

If Luke hadn’t tried so hard on numerous occasions to convince you that Michael was attracted to you, there wouldn’t be a single doubt in your mind that the barista was crushing on your best friend. As it turns out, you’re beginning to get incredibly confused as to who actually wants who at this point.

“For now?” Luke questions, leaning across the counter a little, intentionally brushing Michael’s fingertips with his own. “What would you like to call us, Mike?” He asks, his tone becoming so flirtatious and teasing that you struggle to know whether you should be more aroused or embarrassed. 

Michael’s cheeks turn a pretty pink as he unwittingly allows his gaze to drift to Luke’s lips. “That would be telling…” He replies eventually, his tone as low and seductive as Luke’s.

“Okay…” You mutter awkwardly, “I think I should leave you two love birds, to it.”

Your words startle the men back to reality as they turn to you in unison, both of them babbling embarrassed apologies.

“It’s fine!” You insist, although your tone is definitely higher than you’d have liked. “You don’t have to apologise for being attracted to each other!” The words have left your mouth before you have a chance to stop them.

Michael awkwardly scratches the back of his neck, glancing between you and Luke with an almost guilty expression on his beautiful face. “Well I… Actually…”

“It’s okay!” Luke interrupts. “You don’t have to explain yourself, I know it’s not me you’re interested in, I just…”

“Are you kidding?” You laugh, there’s no way you’re allowing Luke to chicken out on this. If you can’t have either of these cute guys, they may as well have each other. “The sexual tension between you two is enough to make anyone blush, like - You need to hook up or something.”

Surprising both of you, Michael lets out a tiny nervous laugh. “I actually thought you two were a couple.” He admits shyly. “That’s why I never said anything but…”

“It’s fine!” You interject, “You’re not the first person to think that but he’s available, and he thinks you’re super hot, so you should definitely go out.”

“No way!” Luke screeches at you. “It’s the two of you that should be going out, Michael clearly wants you more than me…”

Michael swallows hard as he looks between you and Luke again. “Since we’re sharing, I think you’re both hot. I couldn’t decide who I was more jealous of when I thought you were a couple.” He giggles anxiously. “I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble between you, though. You two obviously have some unspoken ’thing’ going on.”

You automatically glance towards Luke, he meets your gaze instantly and an awkward silence stretches between the two of you. Your hidden feelings for Luke bubble closer to the surface than they ever have before. As much as you want to admit that you’re attracted to him, your feelings for Michael don’t seem to be going anywhere either.

“This is crazy.” Luke sighs, shaking his head, but there’s a ghost of a smile playing on his lips as he drops his gaze to the ground. “I can’t believe all three of us have been crushing on each other and no one has had the guts to make the first move.” 

It takes a moment to process Luke’s words. The two beautiful men that you’ve secretly been carrying a torch for, not only like you back, but are attracted to each other as well.

“Maybe that’s how it was always meant to be.” Michael shrugs, interrupting your thoughts. “If you two had already been a couple or if I’d asked one of you out, maybe we’d have missed out on something even more special.” His tone is a little hesitant like he’s hinting towards something that he’s not sure you and Luke will approve of.

“You’re right.” Luke agrees, his tiny smile widening until it lights up his whole face. “There’s an easy solution to this, it’s just a little out of the ordinary, that’s all.” He takes a deep calming breath. “Okay, I’m just gonna do this.”

Even though you’re pretty sure you know what your best friend is going to say, there’s a part of you that’s incredibly nervous to hear it.

Luke turns to you, his blue eyes soft but sparkling with the kind of happiness you haven’t seen in them for a very long time. “Will you both go on a date with me on Friday night?” He asks, looking between the two of you hopefully.

Both you and Michael reply with an enthusiastic yes. You’re pretty sure that your smile rivals the brightness of those on the faces of your two biggest crushes. 

“I really thought you were gonna ask us out separately.” Michael giggles, sounding quite relieved that that’s not the case. “I think this is a much better solution. I’ve never been on a three-way date before. I’m excited for it.”

“Me too.” You grin, still in shock of the whole situation. “We definitely need to eat somewhere cheap if just one of us is paying.” 

Michael and Luke both laugh, regarding you fondly before sharing a soft moment of eye contact with each other. “We can figure that out.” Luke promises, “First thing’s first, though.” He pulls out his phone from his coat pocket. “We need your number, Mike.”

Michael takes Luke’s phone and types in his number before handing it back. You notice the way that their fingers brush as the phone is passed between them. Both men blush a little and you grow even more fond of them, if that’s at all possible. As much as you’d admired them both separately, together they’re on a whole other level and you can’t believe how lucky you are to be going on a date with them both.

“Okay.” Luke grins after a moment. “I’ve set up a group chat, we’ll arrange all the details later, yeah?”

You nod, taking out your own phone to add michael’s number to your contacts from the group chat. “I definitely think a coffee date is out of the question.” You giggle, hoping that your jokes aren’t coming across as too lame.

“Definitely!” Michael agrees before a slightly guilty expression takes over his face. “Shit, speaking of coffees, I really should make yours!” He turns his back to you and Luke as he busies himself making your drinks. 

“Our date is pretty cute, huh?” You stage whisper, not hiding the fact that you’re checking out Michael’s ass. You always enjoy the days that he wears skinny jeans. 

“Both of my dates are the hottest, I’ve ever had.” Luke agrees, also blatantly admiring Michael before turning his attention back to you. “I really think that Mike was right - this all happened for a reason and Friday will be more than worth the wait.”

Every fiber of your being seems to be glowing with excitement and you can’t help but agree with your dorky date. This feels incredibly ‘right’ and you can’t wait to see how it turns out.