A Taste Of You

Chapter 3

"Are you ever gonna tell Alex that you're dating his husband's ex?" Aaron asks. He and Up are having an extended lunch together at Aaron's favorite restaurant like they're prone to doing every Wednesday afternoon – or whenever Aaron can escape his maddening corporate job for more than the assigned lunch period.

Up's work schedule is at least a lot more lenient about these things; which is lucky for him because he probably would have gotten docked for all his late lunches otherwise. It's also luck for Aaron because Up is always ready and willing to drop whatever he's doing as soon as Aaron texts that he has free time.

Although maybe he would have thought through agreeing so quickly if he had known this is what Aaron wants to talk about.

"Isn't it strange that Alex is married now?" Up asks back instead. "Alex has a husband. Before we're even 30. That's wild."

Aaron stares at him with exasperation and doesn't say anything; it seems he's not letting himself be distracted by Up's obvious segue.

"I'm not dating his husband's ex," Up sighs and answers blandly. They have been through this so many times before and he knows Aaron is just pressing the topic for the sake of pressing at this point.

"No, you just live together and he just happened to bake you your favorite cake for your birthday," Aaron comments.

"How do you even know about the cake?" Up eyes him warily.

"Oliver told me."

"Gossipping is nasty," Up retorts. "Kao always cooks and bakes and does whatever in his kitchen. It wasn't anything special. It just so happened it was my birthday when he made it. Also, for the umpteenth time, we're just flatmates. We have our separate bedrooms."

His friend rolls his eyes dramatically. "You say that, but do you ever actually sleep in your room?"

"Yes," Up answers automatically.

"And how many times has that been in the two months since you've moved into his place?" Aaron is quick to shoot back. "Is it even more than a handful?"

Up actually holds out one hand and starts ticking nights off in his head. "Yes!" he grins triumphantly, holding up his right hand, along with two fingers on his left.

Aaron rolls his eyes. "And for all these times, where did Kao sleep?"

"...shut up."

Aaron cackles with glee, knowing he managed the final word on the matter.

"You already know what the status is, why do we have to go through this every damn time?" Up grumbles.

Aaron shrugs. "Because your whole thing is ridiculous! And because Alex has been back from his honeymoon for a while and he still has no idea that something like this is going on between you and Kao."

"Well, we haven't seen much of him since his wedding," Up reasons.

"He regularly messages our group chat, though," Aaron counters.

"Yeah, mostly with funny memes!"

"And you can always message him first to tell him."

"What's to tell?"

Aaron groans. "How about that you're living with his husband's ex at least? He doesn't even know you moved out of your old place!"

"Oh." Up places his fork down; he supposes he'd want to know if any of his best friends moved homes. "I guess that is news. And, for the record, I got kicked out. I wouldn't be living with Kao otherwise."

"No you didn't," Aaron argues. "You just didn't pay attention to all the advanced notices telling you that you need to find another living situation."

"Maybe you should have offered up your place, huh?" Up huffs. "Ever think of that? What kind of friend are you!"