So that's how it is

 Brandon hoped he wasn't smiling too much. Honestly, Vanna and Koda had such a cozy place. Secretly, he envied them so much. But he knew the mess he was in was his own damn fault and it was best to stay clear of it.

He went to help Koda in the kitchen. He put together some garlic toast soon enough while Koda worked on the pasta.

"Are you from around here?" Koda asked while the girls were trying to find something interesting on Netflix. 

"Mostly," he nodded. "I went to Minnesota for a while. Before that, I went to an art school in Iowa." Brando gritted a smile, thinking he was one who just couldn't seem to make up his mind. Evidently. It sadden him now that he thought he wasted most of his twenties on a degree he had no use for. 

"Wow, so educated," Koda said he only went one semester at the university but didn't like it.

"Seriously, I'm not that smart," Brandon told him. "Or I wouldn't be here right now." His grin was open.

"So..so you and Izzy?" Koda said as he was getting the pasta out of the pot and draining off the water to put with the meat sauce.

"Izzy?" He laughed. "She's a cute kid."

"Uh-huh." Koda smiled back. "I hear she's got it bad for you." He said above a whisper.

Brandon looked at him blankly. Of course, he almost backed into the hot pot in the little galley kitchen. Brandom pressed his lips tight wondering when he'd ever lead her to think such nonsense. Sure, he'd been friendly enough. It was always best to remain friendly on the job.

"Well, I got another job," Brandon nodded. "I mean, I'm staying at the grocery store too, but you know how it is. I honestly, don't have time for anyone."

If there was a time to not be in a relationship now was the time. Besides, Brandon was barely over his last one. And Izzy was definitely not his type.