Page 22

F amily dinners in my house looked nothing like this. At Kai’s, even with just his parents, it’s worlds apart. His younger siblings are out for the night, so it’s just the six of us around their massive dining table, feeling both intimate and grand all at once.

Silas pulls out a chair for me, his hand warm against my back as he guides me to sit. He gently scoots me in before taking the seat on my right, Kai slipping into the chair on my left. I feel cocooned between them.

We settle in, and I catch a warm smile from Kai’s mom, Vivian, across the table, her gaze flickering between us like she’s piecing together an image she didn’t know she’d been hoping for. There doesn’t seem to be any judgment, no masks to wear, just a simple togetherness that feels, unexpectedly, like home.

The rich, tangy aroma of tamarind broth mixed with fresh vegetables fills the air as Kai’s Uncle Ali ladles steaming Sinigang into wide bowls. He serves Vivian first before filling the rest of our bowls.

Vivian flashes him a warm smile, brushing her hair behind her ear. “As always, Ali, this smells incredible.”

Kai leans toward me. “You’re in for a treat. Uncle Ali makes the best Filipino food, hands down.”

“My grandparents were immigrants, coming over from the Philippians when my father was just a boy. Being able to cook the food of my family, and Kai’s, brings me peace.”

Kai leans in. “Yes, I’m adopted. My mother was Filipino and too young for children, my father was a deadbeat. I’m thankful Ali, Mom, and Dad found me.”

I glance at the bowl placed in front of me. The brothy soup is filled with tender pork, radishes, okra, green beans, and eggplant. It’s the kind of meal that seems to warm you before you even take a bite.

“This looks amazing, Ali. Thank you,” I say.

“Try it first, then tell me.”

Kai nudges me gently. “You’ve got to add a little fish sauce and calamansi juice. Trust me—it’s the secret weapon.”

He’s already reaching for the tiny bowl of sliced calamansi halves in the center of the table, squeezing one into his bowl. I follow his lead, mimicking his actions as Vivian pours herself a glass of wine.

The front door clicks open, and Vivian’s head lifts, her face lighting up.

“That must be Dean.”

A tall man with curly hair enters, greeting Vivian by brushing her red hair aside and pressing a kiss to her ear. He reaches out to Ali, giving him an affectionate nudge on the elbow that is both intimate and natural.

A pang of warmth tugs at my heart, thinking of my guys and the little gestures they share.

“Hey! I’m sorry for being late, Mahal.”

My eyes flick to Kai, noticing that he’s given me the same nickname and all he does is give my thigh a gentle squeeze like it’s no big deal.

Vivian waves her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. We just sat down.”

Kai clears his throat, glancing between us. “You’ve met Silas already, but this is Sable.”

Dean’s eyes settle on me, assessing but warm. He leans over to extend his hand across the table. “Wilson, right? I believe I’ve met your dad once or twice. He was a good man.”

I know that he’s lying, as he clearly knows more about my parents than what he is telling me. He was one of those in the photo from whatever secret Syndicate club that was around at AGU when our parents went there.

My smile is polite as I nod. “Thank you.”

Dean returns to his seat next to Ali, and the room falls into an easy rhythm, everyone digging in. It feels… comforting in a way I didn’t expect.

“So, Sable,” Vivian begins after a few bites, “Kai tells me you’re quite the scholar and an artist on top of that?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, nodding. “I’m studying Art History. Right now, I’m working on my portfolio for senior year.”

“Vivian,” she corrects gently, a smile pulling at her lips. “We don’t do ‘ma’am’ around here.”

“Right. Vivian.” The warmth in her eyes puts me at ease as she nods approvingly, and I smile back, feeling more comfortable with each passing second.

“So, Art History. What do you want to do with that?” Ali asks.

“Art Critic, hopefully. I’d love to own a gallery one day.”

“Guess you and Kai can debate who’s more obsessive over details,” Dean says. “The guy always finds faults in my codes.”

Kai laughs. “She’s got me beat, trust me. I’ve seen her fuss over brushstrokes for hours.”

“Perfection is a fine line. Besides, the details are the best part.”

Ali leans back, his gaze flicking between Kai and me. “So, Sable, is Kai behaving himself? Treating you right?”

Kai huffs out a quiet laugh beside me, shaking his head before I can answer. “Let’s not pretend like I’ve ever ‘behaved,’ Uncle.”

Dean smirks, sipping his wine. “You’re not wrong.”

“From what I understand, it’s not just Sable keeping you in line.”

I glance at Kai, feeling the warmth of his hand resting on my thigh, steady, sure.

“No, it’s not,” Kai says, leaning back, his tone measured but easy. “I’m in a relationship with Sable. I’m in one with Levi, too. Sable is also with Silas and Dayton. It’s… a poly dynamic.”

Ali nods, unsurprised, while Vivian just smiles, watching Kai with something close to pride.

Dean sets his glass down, folding his hands over the table. “You don’t feel like that complicates things?”

Kai doesn’t hesitate. “Not any more than love usually does.” He glances toward me, then Silas, then back to his parents. “The way I love Sable doesn’t take away from what I have with Levi. The way she loves Silas doesn’t lessen what we have.”

Vivian hums, glancing toward Ali and Dean, a knowing smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. “You remind me of your father.”

“And here I thought he was more like Ali.”

“We get it, son. You don’t love less, you just love more.” His eyes flick to Kai. “And you’ve got good instincts. You always have.”

Dean nods approvingly, and the moment shifts, not heavy, just… understood.

Kai squeezes my thigh. I glance at him, and he gives me that knowing smirk.

This is just another thing we don’t have to justify, not to each other. And not to them.