Greg sounds really clingy
Oh he is
and very lonely
We’re watching a movie. Sure could use some company
Does Greg need to be walked?
yes
You already walked him didn’t you
He likes the blonde lady who acts like a teacher better. I just shoved him out in the yard to do his business
And you left your makeup bag here
I sighed. He had me there. The whole conversation had me blushing and covering my mouth. Why was he so damn cute? He couldn’t just sayI want you to come over.He had to make it some long con to make it seem like he wasn’t dying to see me again.
Mentally, I lumped those stomach-jumping feelings in with part of the “benefits” of our arrangement. Because it couldn’t be more than that. We were just exercising our chemistry.
It would be fine. Those are feelings that lead to sex, not love.
At least let me go home and get some clothes
Thank youuuuuu. I’ll order us some dinner
We’re excited to see you
* * *
Nick answered the door in a long-sleeve tee, sweatpants, and amask. He looked disheveled but better than when I’d seen him last.
“Hey,” he whispered, reaching out for a hug, then stopping himself. “The doctor said I shouldn’t touch anyone.”
I stuck out my lower lip. “Sorry, bubby. That’s a bummer.”
“I got you some dinner, but I didn’t touch it just in case. It’s up on the counter.”
“Oh, thanks!”
“Least I could do,” he said. “I’ll just, uh, go up to my room so I don’t breathe on you while you eat.”
Greg appeared beside Nick, putting his paws on my shin for pets.
“Hey, little man,” I said, crouching to pet him. “Did you take care of your dad today?”
Nick’s smiling eyes flashed before he turned to go back to his room. After I ate, I noticed Nick’s trash was overflowing. Typical twenty-something bachelor boy behavior, which was a reason why I wouldn’t be pursuing anything more than a friends-with-benefits arrangement. I could give him a little pass for being sick, though.
I carried the garbage bag out while I took Greg for a walk. Another beautiful California fall sunset. I still hadn’t gotten used to the warm temperatures, the lows only getting into the fifties at night. Thanksgiving was a few weeks off, and then there’d be the slide into Christmas. I wouldn’t have the money to fly home for both holidays, and if I was really being responsible, I wouldn’t go for either. I was so close to paying off the highest interest bill I had, the carrot dangling just in front of my face. Living modestly and funneling every spare dollar into my mom’s medical debt was the best thing I could do to get back to life. If I just buckled down and lived like a monk a little while longer, I could actually get to enjoy the benefits of my cushy salary.
When I got back to Nick’s room, he was sitting up watching TV. He muted it as I came in, Greg walking up his ramp to join Nick in bed.
“Thanks again for coming over,” he rasped.
“Thanks for feeding me. Watching anything good?”
“Nah, just passing the time. How was work today? What’s the outside world like?”
