Page 108 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
Lovable. Handsome. Charming.
“Attentive. Enthusiastic,” I say.
“Got it.” Mike sits cross-legged on the floor next to the board of buttons. “Anything else?”
I set Mitzy’s phone up on the tripod, check to make sure Mike’s in frame, then fill two mugs with water. “Pretend the water is coffee.”
“Excellent. Are we rolling?”
I log on to Mitzy’s Instagram account and toggle through a few settings before enabling the livestream. “We are now.”
Mike cradles his mug like it is hot, blows across the surface, and takes the smallest of sips. “Mitzy?” He presses the Mitzy button. “What would you like to chat about today?” He presses the Question button.
The cat meanders over to Mike, bumping the More button along the way.
“More what, hmm?” I press the More and Question buttons.
Mike takes another sip from his mug. “More coffee?” he asks, scratching the cat’s ears.
Mitzy threads her way through the board and presses the Mitzy and Friend buttons.
“Yes, I’m Beatrice. I’m Mitzy’s friend.” I press the Friend and Mitzy button. “This is Mike. A new friend.” I press the Friend button again.
The cat’s tail swishes. She presses the Mitzy, Friend, and Question buttons again. “Mitzy, friend. Hmm?” I repeat.
“Does she press these specific buttons a lot?” Mike asks, stroking the cat’s back.
“Yeah. Friend and More and Mitzy are her favorite words. I think it’s her way of asking me for treats.” I wink at the camera.
“But she has a Treat button,” Mike says. He presses it.
“Now you have to eat a treat, Mike.” I grab the crystal jar.
He laughs, but he accepts the treat before slipping it to Mitzy.
Mitzy presses the More, Friend, and Mitzy buttons again before meowing.
“Sure, he can be your friend. Can’t you, Mike?”
“Of course.” Mike scratches the cat’s chin. “It’s nice to have a friend. Right, Bea?”
I know better. I know the flirtatious smile and arched brow are for the camera. Not for me. “Mm-hmm,” I say, hiding behind my mug.
Mitzy paws the More button before scratching the Friend button.
Mike laughs affably. “You want to be more than friends?”
Girlfriend, get in line.
“I’m flattered.” Mike strokes the back of the fluffy white cat, who’s purring loudly. Yeah, he has that effect on me too. “But we’ve only just met.”
Mitzy rubs her cheek against Mike’s bent knee.
“Mitz, you can’t throw yourself at a man who’s friend-zoning you.” Ask me how I know.
Mitzy looks at me and meows.
“Give him some space, Princess. Being friends isn’t a bad thing.” I press the Friend button. It’s not the button I want either, but it’s the one I’ve got. “In time, it could turn into more.” I lean in and scratch the kitty’s chin.
