Page 111 of Love Unlimited

Then it would be easier if I presented as feminine, right?

For getting through this weekend? Definitely. And I don’t know how much attention you want to attract during a wedding with hundreds of people. But in the long run– he stopped to stroke Ash’s hand where it was resting on their thigh –you mean a lot to him. And I don’t think he wants to pretend with his family that you’re something that you’re not.

So will he have to come out? I couldn’t quite figure that part out.

He’s been trying to tell them for years that he’s asexual. That’s definitely beyond his parents comprehension, though his siblings are good about it. His parents’ idea was that even if he wasn’t sexually attracted to anyone, it didn’t matter for getting married and having kids. Eventually, after they kept bugging him about it and “just happening” to invite over eligible young women for dinner, he started making up names of girlfriends. And yes, he only named girls. So, yeah, he’s going to have to come out to them as panromantic at some point. Until he found you, I don’t think it occurred to him that he’d ever even have a romantic relationship.

I’m glad he found me. Ash yawned again as they signed.

Dustin wondered if they’d also had trouble sleeping last night without Zhong in their bed. He squeezed their knee. I’m glad he found you, too. It felt good to be able to say it. It was true on so many levels. Not just because Ash was perfect for Zhong, but because he got to enjoy a little piece of them too.

Ash beamed up at him. I feel like I should still let him decide when he’s ready to come out, though.

I think he’s already said he’s OK with you doing it now. Like I said, he made up all those girlfriends to get them off his back about being single, not to avoid coming out. I think there’s something to be said for getting it over with while there are a million things going on and guests to deal with. My guess is that Zhong’s hoping that coming out and introducing you will get lost in all the other details. But if you represent as nonbinary or male, that’s also five hundred people who might have difficult questions for you or his family members.

He could see Ash considering that while they ate a few more bites. What would you do?

Me, personally? If I were Zhong’s genderqueer partner? I’d probably wait. I hate being in the spotlight and I don’t like questions.

I think that’s what I’m going to do, too. I don’t mind the spotlight, but I don’t want to take any attention away from his sister. And I’m still me no matter what I wear. I just wanted to know that I was making the right decision.

I don’t know if there’s a “right” decision, but I think you’re making a very good one for you. And you can change your mind later.

Are you going to tell his parents about your relationship with him? I mean, not at the wedding, but ever?

Dustin considered while they waited at a stoplight. After a few more blocks, they’d be on the highway. I’ll let Zhong decide that. My guess is that he’ll tell his siblings at some point. Chu Hua always thought we were dating when we were in college, even when she knew I was dating someone else. And Mei Lin visited us once at my house and said we were a cute couple. His older brother is so much older that I don’t really know him. But I think his sisters would consider it weird, but not flip out about it.

Are you going to tell your parents?

Dustin shook his head emphatically. Nope. They know I broke up with Alan. I think they know I’m seeing Landon now. But really, we’re just not close enough for it to matter. Unless it was important to you that they know, I suppose. What about your mother?

Oh, she’s been getting the updates all along! She wants us to be a foursome.

Dustin was so surprised that the car jerked into the bike lane before he corrected. Really? You told her?

Yeah. She knew I had a crush on Landon before I met Zhong. And she knows all about the four of us now. I send her pictures sometimes and she asks about everyone. She thinks you work too hard, by the way.

Dustin laughed. He’d never expected that kind of easy acceptance. On the other hand, he’d never been close enough with his parents to share anything important. So what exactly have you told her about our relationship? Now he was dying to know.

Just that there are three pairs of couples, and that I’m attracted to you and Landon. And that we’re pretty much in a four way poly relationship already, but we’re taking some parts of it slower than others.

Ash said it so nonchalantly, like it was nothing.

Is that how you think of us?

Ash turned more to face him, twisting in their seatbelt. It is. The funny thing was I never expected it. I’m not sure how much Zhong told you about my past relationships, but I’ve been in a few poly relationships before and I thought I couldn’t do it again. There’s just too much of a chance of being left out and too much drama. But with the three of you… I feel like it could really work. I think this is something different.

Everything in Dustin’s body went hot and cold. Did this mean what he thought it did? Because for him, it wasn’t just about how cute Ash was any more. It was about the four of them being something together—and the way that more intimacy and acknowledgment might tighten those bonds. What is it that makes this different? he asked, daring to hope.

It’s you and Zhong, first of all. What the two of you have together is breathtaking. I don’t even have words for it. I’ve been the third with established couples, and usually there’s this sense of walking in late to the conversation and never being able to catch up. But I think with you two, your foundation is incredibly strong, but you actually each feel more stable with another partner. You both need someone to pour all of your attention into, but at the same time, you’re so deeply in love with each other that it’s beautiful to see.

A warm pulse spread through Dustin’s whole body. Yeah? I think… that’s the best way someone’s ever explained it. I just feel lucky that you and Landon were both open to us being so important to each other. None of my exes have appreciated him being around.

Ash popped the last bite of sandwich into their mouth. Well, clearly you were dating the wrong people!

Dustin laughed. Clearly.

I’ve been talking about it–their words were broken by a yawn that they turned into an adorable little stretch in their seat–with Zhong, too.