Page 94 of Love Unlimited

They each carried in a load, and by the time Zhong was done putting away the laundry detergent, Ash and Lena were unpacking groceries in the kitchen.

Ash spun to face him. Lena says you have a present for us!

Zhong made sure his face was stern, because he knew that would feed into the excitement for both of them. I have a present when you’re done putting away all the groceries.

And a sticker, Ash pointed out.

And a sticker, Zhong agreed, when Dustin comes downstairs. I’ll remind him. Ash had informed him recently that stickers were only Zhong’s job at his apartment, not at Dustin’s house. He thought it was charming.

When the groceries were successfully put away, he pulled out a wrapped package. One of the things he’d learned from Ash was that the price wasn’t important, but the presentation was. He’d invested recently in some reusable cloth gift bags on Etsy since he was using them so often.

This one was a print pattern of a pink squid hugging a cuddly teddy bear. More Ash’s thing than Lena’s, but they both watched it avidly. He handed it over. Who’s going to unwrap it?

Ash can, Lena said immediately. Of course, she was too grown up to open the present that she couldn’t take her eyes off of.

Let’s do it together. Ash bumped her hip. That’s your side and this is my side.

They each put a finger in the drawstring opening and pulled it apart. Ash didn’t seem to be able to wait any longer though, and practically buried their head inside trying to pull it out.

Ooooh! A rock painting kit! I’m gonna have a pet rock!

Zhong laughed. It was one of those art kits from the discount rack at the drugstore, but Ash was just as enchanted as he’d expected. Ash raced over to the coffee table, already pulling out the pieces.

He turned to Lena. I thought you could paint some rocks for your terrariums, he explained. If we need more rocks we can get them from the garden.

Now Lena was excited, too. Thank you, she told him sincerely. Then she stepped up and gave him a shy kiss on the cheek.

The fireflies in his chest fluttered around brighter than ever.

He looked up to find Dustin watching the two of them from the foot of the stairs. Lena hadn’t noticed him yet, so he didn’t say anything in case it made her more uncomfortable. She ran across the living room and started sorting through the rocks with Ash.

The thing was, now Zhong was feeling a little nervous too. He was used to everything being so easy between him and Dustin. So easy that it didn’t need a conversation. For years, Dustin had always been the one moaning over his relationships and stressing about whether he was doing the right thing.

Now Zhong had to do it, too. Not just with Ash, who was already enough to figure out, but with Dustin and maybe Lena, too. And he was pretty sure about what everyone else would say about that kiss, but he wasn’t certain.

Dustin caught his eye. I see you got a kiss from my girlfriend, he teased.

Good. If Dustin was joking, that meant it was mostly OK.

Dustin sat down on the couch and motioned Zhong over to him.

Zhong went eagerly. I hope that’s OK, he signed as he walked. She liked the present.

Dustin took a moment to watch Lena, a soft smile on her face. She was responsibly spreading out a couple sheets of newspaper on the coffee table. When she finished, she looked up at both of them for approval. Good girl, Dustin told her.

Thank you, Zhong added.

She settled onto the floor, cross-legged with her skirt pooling in her lap. Ash was kneeling next to her, their t-shirt riding up to show a hint of skin at their back. They both leaned over the table, the treasures they were pulling out of the box hidden behind their bent heads.

It’s not weird is it? Zhong asked. If I give her presents like that? He was pretty sure, but he wanted to be certain.

I don’t think so. I think it would bother me if it was anyone but you, but you don’t count.

What? Zhong feigned shock. I don’t count?

Of course you count. Dork.

Just not as… well, I’m not sure what. But it feels like… I mean, we’re family, right? It feels like family.