Page 60 of Back to You

“Brandon.”

“What brings you in, Brandon?”

“Just felt like I needed something more in my life,” Brandon said, turning his attention back to his lapful of squirming kittens. “God, this is better than therapy.”

“Exactly. What have they had you doing today?”

“Bathing dogs.”

“Oh, did Muffin get a bath? He needed it.”

“Oh yeah, I washed Muffin.”

“Isn’t he the sweetest?”

Brandon stared at Max. “Who are you talking about? I mean the chihuahua.”

“Yeah, that’s him. Sweet dog.”

Brandon was stumped. “We must be talking about different dogs. Are there two chihuahuas here named Muffin? Because the one I washed was the devil.”

“No! I love Muffin! He’s just the sweetest little dog!”

“Man, you better adopt that dog today, because I suspect you’re the exception to his rule.”

“I’ve actually been thinking about it,” Max admitted. “I live alone, so it would be nice to have someone to come home to.”

“Do it, it’s totally worth it. I have a cat, he makes coming home to my boring apartment much more tolerable.”

Max looked lost in thought, so Brandon went back to the kittens. He grabbed his phone and took a selfie with kittens on each shoulder and sent it to Michelle.

Brandon: Look what you missed!

“Texting your girlfriend?” Max said.

“No, my sister.”

“Ah.” He looked squirrelly for a moment, then said, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, I’m gay.”

“Oh me too! Do you have a boyfriend?”

Brandon sighed. He’d managed to go a full half hour without thinking of Ethan, that was a new record. “Not anymore.”

“I’m sorry.”

Brandon gave Max an absent smile. “Anyway, I better be heading out.” He began to gently dislodge kittens. Max reached over to help. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Actually, maybe I could get your number? We could hang out sometime?”

Brandon paused with three kittens clinging to his shirt. “Are you asking me out?”

“Yeah?”

He sat back down. “Uh, I’m flattered, but I just got out of a long relationship and, to be honest, I’m still in love with the guy.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve been there.” Max smiled. “Can’t blame a guy for trying, But hey, if you’re looking for friends, I’m still happy to hang out.”

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