"Abigail!" Abi carefully adjusted the line of her eyeliner and stood up. There. That looked groovy.

"Yes ma'am?" She responded, clumping down the stairs in a pair of heeled boots. Abi's mother, a slim Chinese woman who went by Jane, surveyed her daughter with her typical disapproving look.

"Your cousin is having a birthday party next Saturday. Do you have her present?" Jane turned back to tying a bow on her own crisp pink box.

"Oh shi-sorry. No, I don't."

"Are you going to get one?" Jane raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Yeah, but I was-"

"No buts. If you don't do it now, you never will. Take the truck and go get her a hoe."

"What?"

"Not one of your friends. The gardening tool. Her mother says she's very into planting rutabagas. Miller's downtown should have one."

Abi sighed. She could predict how this was gonna go.

Abi stepped inside the brightly colored shop and smiled slightly. This was cute. Oooh, was that a little cupcake purse? She bent over to examine it.

"Forty-three dollars? Damn." She whispered, glancing at the price tag. Abi stood back up and hit something solid with her butt.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed, spinning around just in time to see a curly-haired fellow stumble up from the floor.

"Oh. Dustin. Hi." Abi squeaked, flushing a bright red.

"Uh, sorry, I was just trying to see if you, uh… needed any help?" He scratched the back of his neck.

"Um. Yeah." Abi heaved in a deep breath. "I wasn't expecting to see you here though?"

"Well, I, uh, work here, so."

"Oh." Abi tried to keep a straight face but started giggling uncontrollably. "Yeah, that, that makes sense." She doubled over with laughter as Dustin watched her awkwardly. "Sorry, I just. Yeah, okay, I need a hoe."

"What?" His face knit together in consternation.

"No, not like myself. Like the tool."

"You're not-" Dustin started to defend her, but she waved a dismissive hand.

"Let's be realistic. Where do you keep those?"

"They'd be back this way." Dustin led her back a few aisles and Abi hastily adjusted her curls and curves in a way she hoped looked inconspicuous.

Ah, who was she kidding? Dustin looked cute. And she hadn't had sex in what, 2 months? She might deny it vehemently to her friends, but she definitely still liked him. He had always been a good friend to her. And the best boyfriend.

"Here you go." Dustin indicated a shelf full of small tools.

"Coolio."

"So, why do you need a miniature gardening tool?"

"Masturbating." She deadpanned, leaning over to gaze at the multitude of colors.

"Why don't you just try one of our animal-themed back massagers? Might be more sanitary?" Dustin suggested thoughtfully.

"What?" Abi squeaked. Did he seriously not get her joke?

"Gotcha." He let out a guffaw and she found herself dissolving into peals of laughter.

"Dammit. You got me again. 's a specialty of yours."

"Mhm." He nodded. "You know what else is my specialty?" He leaned close to her, breathing the words on her neck with a warm breath.

"What?" She whispered. This was a game she could play.

"Kicking your ass at slushie slurping contests." Dustin uttered in a seductive tone. Abi pulled back, bristling.

"Okay, that was one time, and only because I got the mother of all brain freezes. Also, I'm the undisputed queen of eating contests, so calm your ego down, boy. Winning once and then refusing to go up against me again proves nothing. I'll kick your ass any day, Marshmallow Fluff."

"Alternatively," Dustin smiled a white grin, all teeth in and perfect, "We could get ice cream after my shift in 23 minutes."

"Hell yeah." Abi agreed. "Wow, that sounded way too eager. You know what else is way too eager, but something I still want?"

"What?" Dustin asked, eyebrow lifted.

"I want to fuck you."

"Oh." He flushed and scratched the back of his neck. "Maybe… after?"

"See ya in 23 minutes, Fluff boy!" Abi called, exiting the store, purple gardening tool kit in hand. She shielded her eyes from the sun and strolled over to the ice cream shop.

"Welcome to Ingrid's Ices! How can I- oh, hi Abi!" Will grinned at her from behind the counter, dorky hat settled firmly on his head.

"Oh, Will. I didn't know you were working today." Abi bit her lip.

"Well, I am?" He shrugged. "What can I get you?"

"Um, I'll take two scoops of cookies & cream with Oreos and fudge sauce."

"And I'll get three scoops of chocolate with Reeses cups and marshmallow sauce." Dustin spoke confidently from behind her and Abi stiffened slightly.

"Oh, hey Dustin." Will smiled and started to scoop the ice cream. Then he froze. "Wait, are you two… really guys?" He shook his head at the realization.

"Dude, just get the ice cream."

"Okay, okay." Will shrugged. "But it's not my fault if you both end up pissed and 15 pounds heavier in a month. And please don't get pregnant. One baby per friend group is definitely enough."

"Gotcha, chief." Abi winked at him. "No one will be leaving unsatisfied, that's for sure."

Both boys flushed.

"Okay, new rule. No sexual innuendos in the workplace."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Abi managed with a straight face.

Will sighed. "Sure you don't."