Cynthia walked into Brian's office and shut the door behind her. She was grinning. If Brian had seen that grin, he would have been worried. But he was so focused on work that he didn't hear her come in. He was re-reading his first draft of a proposal for the Texas beef guy. He was coming to New York (and thus to King & York) for a visit (as Brian had told Mr. York), but not until next week. The Texas beef guy was expecting Brian to pitch him an entire new campaign, one that would especially appeal to young people. Cynthia rubbed the edge of Brian's desk and drawled, "So…where you taking Justin tonight?"

Brian lifted his head. "How long have you been standing there?"

Cynthia shrugged.

"Next time, knock. For all you know, I could have been getting my dick sucked."

Cynthia didn't even blink. "One…now that Justin's on the scene…"

Brian waved his hand. "Don't…just don't. What's two?"

"Two…you are a narcissistic exhibitionist. My walking in on you would probably make whatever sex you were having better."

"Point taken."

"So…where you taking Justin tonight?"

Brian didn't respond. He just gave her one of his patented blank stares.

"Now that you and Justin are boyfriends…"

Brian dropped the document he'd been holding (onto the desk), leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms. Then as petulant as a two-year-old, he interjected, "I never said we were boyfriends."

"Fucking Christ, Brian…how many times do I have to explain this to you? When you take a guy on dates and you're not fucking anyone else, that guy is your boyfriend…and now that he is…you have a standing date on Fridays."

Brian raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Cynthia bit back a smile. Brian had stopped arguing much more quickly this time. Apparently, his resistance to the boyfriend label was largely window dressing. Clearly Brian had accepted it on some deeper level. "Yup. It's in the handbook…All couples have a standing date on Fridays, sometimes Saturdays, too.

Brian wasn't arguing. Interesting. Cynthia took that as a sign to proffer suggestions, so she walked back to her desk, leaving Brian's office door open, and took out her book. As well as holding Brian's appointments, it contained complimentary tickets (e.g., to basketball games and the opera) and such.

Cynthia folded the book open and walked back into Brian's office. "Oh wait. This Saturday is Michael's birthday. You planned to spend the weekend in Pittsburgh."

Brian sighed. "Fuck, I forgot. I still have to get him something."

Cynthia laughed. "As if…I bought him something months ago."

"You did?"

"Yup…a first edition comic book."

Brian nodded his approval.

"So…should I get Justin a ticket?"

"For what?"

"An airplane ticket…to Pittsburgh."

"Why would you do that?"

Sometimes Brian was so dense Cynthia wanted to slap him. "Uh…so he can go with you."

Brian furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why would he want to go? He doesn't know Mikey."

"Seriously, Brian? Seriously?"

"What?"

"Do I have to explain everything to you?"

Another blank stare. Apparently, she did. "Okay…Justin is your boyfriend…"

Brian sighed and clenched his jaw.

Cynthia ignored him. "…Typically, when a person has a social function to attend, that person brings his or her boyfriend or girlfriend. Surely you've met your friends' significant others at such events…"

"Well…yeah."

"Okay…so now you understand why. People tend to want their significant others to meet their family and friends." Cynthia looked back at her book. "I'll book you a hotel room, too."

"What for?"

"Well, I know you were planning to stay at Deb's, but if you bring Justin, you'll need privacy. And a bigger bed. So the party is Saturday…should I make dinner reservations for you two tonight? I still have some connections in Pittsburgh. I can probably get you a nice table at a top-rated restaurant. How about Italian?"

Brian laughed. "You're just assuming that I'm taking him…"

"Well, you are, aren't you?"

Brian ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know…isn't it a bit soon for a weekend trip?"

Cynthia tilted her head side to side a few times. Then she nodded. "For most people, you know, serial daters, I'd say yes. But you don't date. So the simple fact that he's your boyfriend means something, makes him special."

Brian grimaced. Suddenly he felt nauseous.

Cynthia ignored the look and continued, "I doubt that you'll end up breaking up with him in a week only to date someone else."

Brian couldn't deny that. He'd never dated anyone else. And he wasn't even sure how he'd ended up…no…he wasn't even going to think it. "What if he doesn't want to go?"

"Trust me, he will. If he likes you, which he clearly does…"

"How do you know that?"

"You, you, are actually doubting that he likes you?"

"Of course not. I was just curious how you knew."

Cynthia scoffed, "The blinding smile he had on his face as he walked out of your office gave me a clue."

Brian looked down and smiled softly (which was not lost on Cynthia). Justin had been smiling brightly when he left. In fact, he'd practically skipped down the street. That had Brian torn. Clearly Justin was a twink…way too young for him…but he was intelligent and talented (and not just at art)…hot…and the smiling and skipping, it was kinda sweet.

Cynthia brought Brian out of his head when she continued, "Anyway, when a person likes someone, he or she wants to meet people who matter to that someone. To become part of that someone's life."

Another grimace. "That all seems a bit too…permanent."

"It's all part of getting to know one another. Plus, he's from Pittsburgh, too, right?"

"Yeah."

"He might want to visit his family and friends. Maybe even introduce you to them."

Brian shook his head. "I don't know about that. I think the only friend of his worth knowing might be Daphne, and she lives here in New York."

"Why would you say that?"

Brian cleared his throat. "Never mind." After a pause, he asked, "You really think he'll want to go with me?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

Brian sighed. "Fine…get him a ticket and book the room." He closed his eyes and sighed again. "And get us reservations somewhere."

Cynthia beamed. "You got it, boss." She practically floated out of the room.

Once she was safely on the other side of the door, Brian buried his face in his hands. What had he gotten himself into?

TBC…later (I have some work to do, but I'm hoping to post the next part by 5 or 6am Eastern)