  &quot;Guys, what s wrong? These are fantastic. Don t you think?&quot;
  David was obviously about to say something, but Vincent beat him to it. &quot;Uh, they re fabulous. The ox on the towel is cool.&quot;
  Joshua smiled. &quot;I know, right? James s father was born in the year of the ox. I checked with James just to make sure.&quot;
  &quot;That will make James s father seventy-one years old.&quot;
  Joshua stared at Justin in confusion. &quot;Dude, this is the year two-thousand and nineteen. Do the Math. James s father will be seventy years old.&quot;
  &quot;Chinese people usually add one year to their age,&quot; Justin retorted.
  &quot;I informed you about that, Josh,&quot; David reminded while running his hand over the towel and then the small box of handkerchiefs underneath it. &quot;Out of curiosity, have you purchased anything else?&quot;
  Joshua beamed widely. &quot;Two bo

  &quot;I love you, too.&quot;
  &quot;Josh, there s no pressure. You don t have to—&quot;
  &quot;I know. I really love you, James. Very much.&quot;
  James tightened his arms around Joshua s waist. &quot;Really?&quot;
  &quot;Really.&quot;
  They laughed softly as they leaned toward each other and bumped their foreheads gently together.
  &quot;I love you more.&quot;
  &quot;I love you most.&quot;
  James snickered. &quot;Must you have the last word?&quot;
  &quot;In this case, yeah.&quot;
  James guffawed. &quot;Fine. I won t complain, but we both know the truth.&quot;
  &quot;What s that?&quot;
  James smirked. &quot;That I love you a tiny bit more than you love me. You can t deny it.&quot;
  Joshua snorted. &quot;As if.&quot;
  They grinned at each other, but neither of them exchanged a single word for a short moment afterward. Joshua was content to remain silent. He inhaled the sce

  He understood sometimes a business like James s had no specific off days. There could be events like a birthday or a housewarming party on the weekends, and he knew James had no reason to reject them. After all, more businesses meant more money. He had been a tad disappointed he didn t get to spend an entire weekend with James, but he let it slide. Besides, the two of them had been able to communicate through a chat application on their smartphones and video call each other late at night. James had also promised him a date on Monday night, which was now less than six hours away.
  &quot;What is it, Josh?&quot;
  Joshua turned toward David. &quot;I can pick up my delivery at the post office. I had included that special request when I made the order online. I had thought about getting my package sent to the office, but you know what the company is like.&quot;
  &quot;What package?&quot; 

&quot;Guys, what s wrong? These are fantastic. Don t you think?&quot;
  David was obviously about to say something, but Vincent beat him to it. &quot;Uh, they re fabulous. The ox on the towel is cool.&quot;
  Joshua smiled. &quot;I know, right? James s father was born in the year of the ox. I checked with James just to make sure.&quot;
  &quot;That will make James s father seventy-one years old.&quot;
  Joshua stared at Justin in confusion. &quot;Dude, this is the year two-thousand and nineteen. Do the Math. James s father will be seventy years old.&quot;
  &quot;Chinese people usually add one year to their age,&quot; Justin retorted.
  &quot;I informed you about that, Josh,&quot; David reminded while running his hand over the towel and then the small box of handkerchiefs underneath it. &quot;Out of curiosity, have you purchased anything else?&quot;
  Joshua beamed widely. &quot;Two bottles of excellent wine. They re at home in my apartment. I m considering wrapping the wine ins

Chapter 22