The Death Of A Bachelor

A Cupcake And A Card

Brendon was wiping down the tables the next day when the man came in again.

This time he was wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a red polo shirt. His sneakers were the same color as his shirt. And his glasses were resting in his hair.

Brendon swiftly walked towards the counter to take his order. Patrick was in the back cooking and Sarah was delivering a box of cupcakes to a birthday party down town. So he didn't have a choice.

"Welcome to Brendon's Bakery. How can we satisfy your sweet tooth today?"

"Hey, Brendon." He smiled brightly at him. What a change in character from yesterday.

"Hey."

"I want two chocolate cupcakes and a slice of key lime pie. A-And a cookie."

"What kind of cookie?"

"What's your favorite kind of cookie?"

Brendon paused to think about it. "I like all cookies equally."

"Quite the politician." He chuckled freely. It was a sound that felt like it was massaging Brendon's ears. "But everyone has a favorite." He leaned in closer. "You can tell me." His eyes darted towards the glass where the cooked were. "I won't tell any of the cookies about your favoritism."

Brendon laughed. Leaning in to play along. "Red velvet macadamia nut cookies may just have my heart." He whispered.

"Do you hear that cookies?" He said loudly. "He thinks red velvet macadamia nut cookies are superior. Suck it, oatmeal raisin."

"Hey!" Brendon laughed again. "You said you wouldn't tell." He lifted a plate and began putting the desserts on it.

He shrugged. "I lied."

"And look what you did. You made the oatmeal raisins feel bad."

"No one likes them anyway. They're gross."

"Still no reason to make them feel bad about themselves." He sat the plate down on the counter.

"Yes there is." He grinned.

Brendon chuckled. "You're mean."

"And hungry. How much is my lunch, Brennybaby?"

He ignored the nickname. "This is your lunch?"

"Yeah."

"That's not healthy at all."

"My stomach likes it." He rubbed his hand over his ridiculously flat abdomen.

"You shouldn't eat this for lunch. You need a real, warm meal. With nutrients and actual food."

"Are you asking me to lunch?"

"What? No! I was just-"

"Because I'm free right now."

"Actually I'm kind of-"

"Unless you want me to eat those delicious, sugar filled snacks for lunch." He pouted towards the glass.

"I can't just leave and take you to lunch. I have to work the register."

"Fine." He reached over and picked up one of the cupcakes. Licking the bright colored icing from the top. "But you're going to regret it when I overdose on sugary sweets."

"It's going to be your own fault. You're old enough to know what you should eat." His eyes locked on the top of the cupcake. Ryan was licking around the edge of it slowly. His tongue stroking in long lines.

"Most people my age eat just like me."

"How old are you?"

"I turned twenty last month." He said proudly.

"So you are Sarah's age." He muttered more to himself than to the boy.

"Who?"

"Sarah. The girl you were talking to yesterday. You're her age."

"That's cool." The disinterest was clear in his voice.

"She's a really sweet girl."

"You're so pitching her to the wrong team." He laughed as he finished the last bit of icing. He sat the cupcake down on the plate.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well-"

The door dinged open. A large man stepped inside. He was dressed similarly to how Ryan was. "Ryan." Was all he said before he walked back out.

Ryan glanced over his shoulder and then back at Brendon. "I have to go."

"Aren't you going to pay for that cupcake you destroyed?"

"No." He smiled. Digging into his pocket and sitting a card down on the counter.

"Is your boyfriend there going to pay for it then?" Brendon had no idea why he said that the way he did.

His smile widened. "No."

He turned and rushed out of the door. Brendon waited until he was out of sight before he lifted up the card. His eyes scanned the white card with gray letters printed on the front.

Ryan Ross
Hollywood Life Model Agency.
Corner of 4th and Fremont St.
424-666-1196