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“Oh!” Lake began to dig back into the bag. There were more shirts all in pretty colors and lots of skirts and even pajamas. Lake held up the purple nightgown that saidprincess. “He loves the clothes he has on the best, but this is his favorite to sleep in.”

“I should have thought about that.”

“It’s okay.” Lake patted Jesse’s arm. He was feeling more little than normal when around someone other than his friends. “You’re new at this.”

“I am new. I hope I did okay.”

“Great!” Lake assured him.

“Maybe I could take you back to the store and we could make Zeb a friend?” Jesse asked.

“Would you like a friend?” Lake questioned Zeb. He grinned up at Jesse. “Zeb and I would like that.”

Jesse flashed a bright white smile. “Cool. It’s a date then.”

A date? Had Lake agreed to a date? Well, yes, he sort of had. “Can Zeb come?”

“Of course Zeb can come. Whatever makes you comfortable,” Jesse replied.

Lake nearly asked about Dom, Ezra, and Brandon but that would probably be too much for a date. But Jesse might have just used the word date and not meant for it to be like a date-date.

“I know you’re back to work tomorrow,” Jesse said. “What are your days off this week?”

They were really doing this? “Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.”

“Could I pick you up Tuesday? We could have lunch then go to the store.”

“I’m vegan,” Lake blurted out. For some reason his choices in food bothered a lot of people. They argued with Lake’s reasoning or tried to change his mind. Lake never forced his choices on anyone else or made them feel bad about what they chose to eat. Too bad other people didn’t have the same respect.

“I know. I have the perfect place in mind. There’ll be plenty for us to choose from,” Jesse said.

“Okay.” They were going on a date! Maybe. Lake thought it was a date. He was totally going to have to ask Dom. Maybe even get Dom to help pick out an outfit for him and Zeb.

Jesse’s watch beeped and he glanced at it. He groaned. “It’s getting late. How about I help you clean up in here and then walk you to your room?”

Lake looked at the toys they’d been playing with. He'd forgotten what they had been doing. “Sure.” He gave Zeb a quick hug before setting his new friend down. “I’ll be right back, Zeb.”

Jesse smiled at him before rising and offering Lake his hand up.

Lake accepted the help. It didn’t take long for the two of them to clean up the floor. Jesse put the containers of figurines back up as Lake tossed things into the toy box. The last thing Lake did was put up the stuffie guard after introducing each to Zeb. It took longer than Lake had expected but Jesse never hurried him. Jesse just held the stuffie and then put them back in place.

They left the boxed tea set on the small table so Lake could show Dom tomorrow.

With the room cleaned up, Lake hugged Zeb tight.

Jesse picked up the adoption certificate.

“I should hang that up in my room, so Zeb knows he’s wanted,” he mused.

“I’ll get you a frame tomorrow,” Jesse promised.

“Really?” Lake could buy it himself, but he liked that Jesse wanted to help. Zeb deserved the best.

“Yes, I’ll leave it at the front desk for when you get to work tomorrow,” Jesse said.

“Thanks!” Lake pushed up to his tiptoes and smacked a kiss on Jesse’s cheek.

Jesse froze and Lake was scared he’d crossed a line. He should have asked but he was so happy.