"I'm a bigger dork than you know," Cedric shakes his head, pulling his fingers from the cats. He nibbles on a slice of pizza, chewing the thoughts in his head one last time. "That's enough, Sushi. Spot. You've had your treat."

He watches as the cats circle his feet and meow. They'll leave soon enough. But he can't leave this so easily. After what Cedric's already said, Howard will worry unless he knows the truth.

"Um. Well." He swallows a drink of the flat soda, trying to keep himself calm. It sort of works. "I just...I hope you'll return the favor from before, but I worry. Since I'm so late and everything."