He’s soon handing me an expensive-looking wineglass that’s filled halfway as I sit down on the gray, midsized couch. He sits in a short armchair across from me, sampling his own matching drink that looks picture-perfect with just enough condensation fogging up the glass. “So, did you enjoy the play?” he asks.
“I really did. The cast was outrageously talented, and I love how the designers played with the lighting. It was poignant without being overpowering.”
“I wish I got to the theater more. When I first started teaching, I thought it would leave me with so much free time, but other than the summers, I’m either working nonstop or too burned out to do anything even when I do get the opportunity.”
“I can relate to that.” I take a sip of my drink, and it goes down with delicious smoothness.
“Can you?” Phillip asks. “And here I was starting to think that I was the only homebody left. My friends are constantly taking the piss out of me because I’d rather stay in on the couch instead of going out clubbing. They make the argument that I can sit when I’m out, but I then have to explain that there’s a big difference between sitting at a bar in a suit and sitting in my living room in fluffy pajamas. What kind of places do you like to hang out in back home?”
“Wait, I’m sorry. Did you think we were just going to cruise past the fluffy pajamas statement? I’m afraid I can’t allow that. Do expand.”
“What’s there to say? Give me fluff or give me death.”
“That’s a bold statement.”
“And I’m comfortable making it. I think it’s entirely possible to maintain my masculinity while also wearing oversized superhero slippers and binge watching cooking shows.”
“Side note, I love cooking shows, too, but the real question is, which superhero slippers do you rock? Batman or Superman?”
He takes a generous sip of his prosecco and places his glass onto the round wooden coffee table. “Neither. I’m proud to say that they depict an underrated, though equally crucial character—Robin.”
“Robin?” I ask incredulously. “Are you sitting there telling me you wear sidekick slippers? Maybe you really should get out more.”
“I firmly disagree. Batman would be nothing without Robin. And considering you’re an assistant yourself, I thought you would have a little more sense of comradery with a fellow sidekick.”
“I guess,” I concede, “but I think it also depends on how comfortable the slippers are.”
Phillip looks at me with a challenging streak in his eyes. I have a vague inclination of what’s to come next, and I’ll say this... I don’t hate it.
Sixty seconds later, I am casually sipping on my sparkling wine with slightly large but exceedingly soft Robin slippers encasing my feet.
“Fine,” I admit, crossing one leg over the other. “I get the appeal of sidekick slippers.”
Phillip leans back, seeming very pleased with himself. “Thank you for owning up to that. And what are we thinking? Would you like another glass of wine?”
I’m about to answer with a polite “no thank you” when Ollie saves me the trouble, getting up and yawning loudly.
“Well, it seems that his lordship has awakened,” Phillip jokes as he stands up. I do the same, crossing the room to give Ollie a good petting.
“Hey, handsome, you ready to go home?”
I straighten back up to full height, and Phillip hands me the leash. “Well,” he says, “after this somewhat blissful night of domesticity, I think I’m more sold on the idea of having a dog than ever before.”
“I highly recommend it. Me and Ollie might still be in the honeymoon stage, but for true love, the honeymoon never stops.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Phillip gives him a soft little pet as I lean down to click on the leash.
“Alright, buddy, let’s get going.” We’re soon out the door and in the hallway when I turn back around to find Phillip standing in his entryway. “Thank you again for watching him. I really appreciate it.”
“It was my pleasure. Don’t hesitate to ask again.”
“I won’t,” I assure him. I’m turning to leave when Phillip quickly gets my attention, calling my name before stepping back into the living room and picking up my suede ankle boots.
“Almost forgot these,” he says as he walks back and hands them over.
“I’m so sorry! And here I almost absconded with your precious slippers.” I reach down to pull them off when Phillip’s voice stops me.
“It’s alright. You borrow them.”
