Page 110 of Strictly Against Policy

“I know,” she said. “You’re the good boy who’s mine.”

I hummed happily as she pecked my lips. “That’s exactly who I am.”

I wanted to lean into her, to taste more of her mouth, when her phone pinged. She immediately pulled away to check it. “Looks like Mary and Eric are here.” She grabbed my hand like before and squeezed it. “Just so you know. They already like you a lot.”

I kissed the back of her hand. “I like them, too.”

“It’ll be fine, Jonathan. You don’t need to be nervous. It’s just Mary and Eric.”

“It’s not just Mary and Eric. They’re your best friends⁠—”

“Let’s just go enjoy ourselves and try not to think too much, alright?” said Lina. “You’d tell me the same if we went on a double date with Julie and Andy, or Shoua and Anthony, right?”

“Yeah,” I reluctantly answered. “They also like you a lot so . . . you’d have nothing to worry about.”

Lina smiled. “Good.”

The double date was meant to be simple. Dinner and then a movie. If we were still up for it at the end of everything, then maybe we’d stop by a creamery nearby for ice cream. Dinner was great, although Eric and I did fight a bit to cover the bill. After a light, friendly banter back and forth, Eric won.

I allowed him to cover for that but made sure to get the tickets for the movie tonight—only for Eric to one-up me by getting to the concession stand before me. All the while Lina and Mary giggled behind us, enjoying the show.

When they both needed a bathroom break after the rom-com we watched tonight, Eric and I were left alone. Although the hallway was bustling with people coming in and out of showing rooms, it was still quiet between the two of us. But only for a moment.

“Thank you,” said Eric gently, “for everything you’ve done for Lina. From helping her move, to looking after her to making sure she’s safe and protected.”

We looked at each other as he nodded slowly. His wife’s purse was on his shoulder and her cardigan draped across his forearm. I mirrored him with all of Lina’s belongings on my own shoulder and forearm as well. I nodded back.

“You don’t need to thank me, Eric. This is what I’m supposed to do. I’m her boyfriend. Those are things I should be doing for her,” I said.

Eric smiled softly. “We’re happy she waited to be with someone like you, Jonathan Lo.”

I couldn’t help grinning as my heart began to race. I shook my head. “I understand your sentiment. But if there’s anyone who should be happy, it should be me. She chose me. And because of that, I’ll do my best to always be there for her.”

Eric’s mouth pulled wide as a tender laugh bellowed out of him. “That’s exactly why my wife and I are happy you’re in her life. You’re a good man, Jonathan.”

“So are you, Eric. Thank you to you and your wife for looking after my girlfriend all these years,” I chuckled with him. “It makes me feel better she didn’t have to go through all of this entirely alone.”

“She’s practically a sister to us.” He nodded again. “We try our best. But with us living our own lives, we can’t always be there for her. Which is why we’re grateful for you.”

Unable to say anything back, I resorted to nodding. Before I could respond, Lina’s laugh made me realize she and her friend were standing in front of us. She came to my side and grabbed her jacket from my forearm.

“Why do you two look so serious?” she asked.

I shrugged, trying to buy myself time to answer, when Eric spoke up. “Guy talk,” he answered easily.

Mary raised a brow at her husband. “Guy talk?” she snorted. “What kind of guy talk?”

Eric shrugged, which I took as my cue to reply. “Guy talk,” I confirmed.

Lina and Mary glanced at each other as they put on their outerwear. Mary started giggling while Lina simply smiled. I offered my girlfriend my arm. She took it graciously.

“Ice cream, then?” asked Mary from Eric’s side as we both guided our women out of the theater.

“Sure,” answered Eric.

“Sounds good to me.” Lina turned to me. “How about you, Jonathan?”

“It’s fine with me,” I nodded.