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“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Every party needs a committee, so I volunteered to spearhead this one I told your friend Ezra I would, so I really had no choice The proble I had to recruit my new mom friends They’re very enthusiastic, by the way All you have to do is win”

“What if we don’t?” I’d asked, thoroughly bemused

“Then we’ll call it a second-place party”

I’d pursed my lips and snorted “Ash, I appreciate it, but that’s not necessary”

“But I told Ez—”

“Ezra doesn’t remember what he ate for breakfast half the tiot you’d mentioned a party five minutes after you said it…and it’s been a couple of weeks”

“I didn’t forget I always stand by h So that’s what I’htly as he pulled out his cell “Chinese or Thai?”

“Thai”

So…yeah This was my life now A series of food compromises and conversations about everyday details with my boyfriend…my secret boyfriend

Ash and I didn’t put a label on us I think ere both wary of assigning a naain At least I was I was good boyfriend uilt crept in and I couldn’t stand lying anymore I didn’t want to fuck this up the way I had every other relationship I’d ever been in, though I wanted to be better for Ash And he made that so easy

He had this theory that talking about food was a sure way to engage anyone in lighthearted banter His words, not mine

We texted on our lunch breaks, chatted about our respective days, and voted on dinner ideas like an old ht or rice boith veggies? That kind of thing We took turns picking up takeout or buying groceries, then met at my place after work, school, or practice

Once ere together, it was even better Conversation flowed and ebbed easily We were good at being quiet and at sensing when to push the books aside and get naked At my place, we had all the privacy we needed and multiple rooms and surfaces at our disposal And we used every one of theainst the wall in the entry andhim in my space