24

We sat side by side at one end of the infinity pool, our feet dunked in the water. His arm wrapped around me and I leaned against his chest. Being together felt good, peaceful even.

I needed it to be clear, needed to be sure. “So, we’re together, right? Like, as in, the girlfriend boyfriend type?”

He laughed softly before kissing my temple. “Yes, we are the girlfriend boyfriend type.”

“Okay. I’m just making sure,” I said, laughing a little bit.

“What?”

“I won’t call you by your first name. I apologize to your parents or whoever named you, but your name sounds like the word liege”

He laughed heartily at my statement. “You think I haven’t heard that before? You’re probably the hundred thousandth person to say that.” I elbowed him lightly in the stomach. “Alright, alright. What are you thinking of calling me?”

I thought for a moment. “How about Lee? As in L-E-E. If I use L-E-I, it sounds like a female name. Also, if you're not around, Manang calls you Leon.”