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  When Chris officially inherited the shop, he'd informed Jessie she could take the bigger office because of her seniority, but she adamantly refused, saying, she liked her little hole just fine.

  "Pull up a chair, honey buns. I know you got a lot on your mind."

  Chris grabbed a milk carton from outside the door and sat. "Dammit, Jess, I'm so tired of being alone. I've got a successful business, money to last me a couple of lifetimes, I own a condo, but what do I have to show for it?"

  "Dude, c'mon, don't give me that shit. You have plenty, just no one to share it with. I told ya, if you'd lower your standards a little..."

  "Why should I? I'm a good man, making an honest living. I don't care about all the money, the accolades, the pictures with celebrities. I need someone to call my own and measure up to me. And I don't mean in money."

  Jessie raised an eyebrow. "Then what the hell do ya' mean, Chris? Not everyone is squeaky clean like you."

  "I don't want squeaky clean. I want someone decent, hardworking, and attractive. I don't think that's too much to ask."

  "Well I don't know what else to tell ya, buddy. I fixed you up with Derek--"

  Chris thought about the guy and shivered. His face was covered with piercings and tattoos. Not that it was a bad thing, but it was definitely a distraction. Then there was the promise Derek made to make Chris his "boy."

  Nope.

  "Yeah, well, Derek was out of my league. I like men on motorcycles, believe you me they fuel a lot of my fantasies, but he was a little too wild for me."

  "Maybe that's what you need. A man willing to take you on the other side. When's the last time you had a one-nighter?"

  Chris made a face. "Never! I don't do those!"

  "Maybe you need one to get that huge stick from outta your ass," Jessie barked.

  Chris tensed and dropped his gaze. He swallowed hard, thinking he might be in for a fight he most likely wouldn't win. "I don't need you to tell me about how uptight I am. I need a friend to tell me it'll be better."

  "What I'm telling you is he's gonna walk through that door any minute and you might miss him because he ain't your ideal." She held her hands up in quotes, "Men." Jessie mumbled inaudibly under her breath and leaned back in the chair.

  Admittedly, Jessie was right. Perhaps Chris had been waiting for Mr. Perfect too long and needed to loosen up.

  "Listen, Chris. I love ya. I'm your friend. This lesbian will always have your back regardless, but I'm not gonna sit here and coddle ya, all right? You're a good guy. Hell, if you had the right equipment, you might give my Sheryl a run for her money," she joked.

  Chris smirked at that. Jessie was only kidding, but it gave him confidence that someone thought him attractive. People had said as much but hadn't made any significant moves. At least not the ones that made Chris jump.

  "Well, not really, but damn, he'll be around and be ready when he does. When he shows up in a broken down jalopy wearing a wrinkled suit and crooked tie, don't turn him away. He might be just what you were looking for. Outside appearances don't mean a whole lot. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Remember that guy Michael who was handsome, rich, and turned out to be married with kids?"

  Hearing about that heartbreak made the hairs on the back of Chris's neck stand on end. The idiot's daughter called the guys phone and Chris answered. When Michael returned, Chris handed him the phone and left, never to return again.

  "Yeah, don't remind me."

  "Exactly. So, quit your whining! Stop looking into outer space for Mr. Perfect, and give love a chance. Hell, give lust a chance too. That's what me and Sheryl did. And look, we were the first to get our marriage license when they made it legal."

  Chris met her stern blue gaze and nodded in agreement. "I think you're right. Maybe I am being silly."

  "I didn't say that. Just lighten the hell up a little, that's all. The last couple of weeks you've been like a freaking space cadet."

  "Really?" Chris rubbed the small hairs on his chin. "I don't mean to, it's just...well, I've been invited to another wedding next month. Another big, gay wedding, and it's not mine. Hell, I don't even have a date."

  "Oh, I knew it had to be something. Damn, I swear, you're such a sap."

  "Yeah I am. I want my own big, gay wedding. I wanna walk down the aisle and have you, Geoff, Perry, and Wanda serve my pastries to my guests. Why can't I have that? I wanted that like yesterday."

  "Um, considering I'm like your co-boss and bestie, I better be the best person."

  Chris nodded, "Yes, you're right, you should be. Anyways, I want it all, Jess. The matching suits and ties, the flowers, the justice of the piece, the rings..."

  "Then open your eyes a little wider and let someone in. He ain't gonna pop up from out of nowhere. In the meantime, get laid. A good screw will always take the edge off."

  Chris chuckled. He winced and arched his back as he got up from the crate. With it in hand, he left Jessie's space. "Nah, I don't need that. What I need is a man ready for romance, commitment, and--"

  "And," Jessie yelled in response.

  Looking through the empty donut tray slots, Chris tilted his head to get a good look at handsome customer at the counter. "Oh. What can I get you?"

  "What's that, Chris?"

  Chris turned to look at Jessie. "I'm eyeing a hot, sexy man out front who might be causing some trouble for the kids. I need to help them get the line moving."

  "Go on then. Two trays of strawberry cremes are coming out the oven now." She smirked while getting up from her chair.

  "Good. Let me go find out if he's interested in a fresh batch or perhaps..." Chris backed up and peeped out of the doors small window. "If he'd prefer the vanilla."

  Andre studied the little shop that Latasha and Rick had their eyes on. Rainbow Brew was a cozy, intimate spot for people who liked old-fashioned goodness instead of stuffy, corporate restaurants. The long off white laminate counter reminded Andre of one of those places in old movies with black stools.

  There was an open space at the end where people picked up their donuts and coffee, leading out to the small dining room lined with picturesque windows, flanked by small booths. If anything, it held an alternative feel which the trendy people living in and around Lakeview seemed to love.

  "Excuse me, sir. What can we get for you?" A lady's voice interrupted his line of thinking.

  "Um, hi, I'll take three chocolate, three glazed, two jelly..." Andre tried to remember exactly how any people were working in the office today. "Oh, and the strawberry--"

  "A fresh batch is ready right now, sir. Would you like a carton of coffee with that, too?"

  Andre looked up, meeting the owner's light hazel eyes. "Um, yeah, I'd love some hazelnut. And thanks for offering a fresh batch. Boss lady loves strawberry."

  "Yeah? And which one do you love?"

  Andre swiped his tongue over his lips, eyeing the hottest man he'd seen in quite some time. Chris Wettlon's picture did him no justice. He chuckled, "I prefer bagels myself."

  "Oh yeah? Cinnamon raisin, egg..."

  "I love a plain bagel with cream cheese."

  "Booring..." Chris turned around, grabbing a couple and throwing them in a bag.

  Andre nibbled on his bottom lip, watching Chris's plump ass through the khaki pants. He couldn't wait to sink his teeth and tongue into it.

  "Damn." He looked away just before Chris turned back around to meet his gaze.

  "What kind?"

  "Plain."

  "Again, so boring."

  "What can I say, I'm a simpleton," Andre laughed.

  "You don't appear simple, but you know what they say, looks can be deceiving. Anything else I can get you?"

  Since the flirtation was on, Andre decided to play along. "Your name and maybe even your phone number."

  Chris grinned and offered his hand. "I'm Chris Wettlon and I don't give out my phone number to just anyone."

  The other two people behind the counter giggled while bagging Andre's order.


  Andre accepted the gesture. The warmth of Chris's hands gave him goosebumps. Being a working man Chris's palms were only slightly calloused. Regardless, Andre wish to feel those on his back while he pummeled Chris into the mattress. "Andre Bentley. And since you won't grace me with yours, I'll give you mine."

  "Wonderful." Chris placed the bags in front of him and grabbed his phone from his side.

  Andre let go of his hand and took the cellphone. He punched in his numbers and handed it back. "There. Call me?"

  "Sure. Would this evening be good?"

  "Yeah. I'll be home around six waiting for the phone to ring."

  "I doubt that." Chris smiled and put his phone up to his ear.

  Andre's phone rang and he picked it up. "I'm serious. I look forward to talking with you tonight, Mr. Wettlon."

  "Chris works. We don't have to be so formal."

  "No, I suppose we don't. Call me Dre then."

  "All right. Thanks for stopping in."

  "Okay enough drooling over each other. Chris, we got a line forming." A bulky redhead woman interrupted them, slapping Chris on the back.

  "Yes, we do. You take care of yourself." Chris winked.

  "You too," Andre returned the gesture and picked up his bags, leaving with a big grin on his face.

  Chapter Three

  "Good God, Chris. You shoulda just gave him your dick on the counter too," Jessie laughed, bumping him with her backside.

  Chris gripped the counter to keep himself from falling. "We were checking each other out. We didn't do anything gross."

  "Is there anything else I can get ya. Ah you're so boring, hee hee," Jessie made a face, chiding Chris.

  Chris's face flushed. He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "All right, maybe it was a little cheesy, but did you see him? He looked like a movie star I saw in a film once."

  "Yeah, I know who you're talking about," Wanda chimed in. "I was all ready to turn on the charm and then--"

  "Then Chris came out and stomped on your chocolate dream, huh," Jessie added. "How could you tell the guy was gay?"

  Chris straightened and grabbed another couple of bags from the delivery window. "Well, the moment I stepped out of the kitchen, we locked eyes. While licking those thick lips, he practically undressed me the moment we started talking--"

  "Yep. And you did the same thing to him." Perry snorted while continuing to pour coffee.

  Chris passed a customer their order. "You have a good day, sir." He turned to Jessie. "I mean, you told me to open my eyes wider, and look, freaking Prince charming comes in, dressed to a tee, ordering donuts and coffee. What are the odds?"

  "Not high, but, hey, go on and run with it. You wanted a good looking, employed guy, and there he is."

  "Yep." Chris smiled to himself thinking of the hot looking man who just left his donut shop.

  Right there for the taking.

  Once Chris ok'd the last deliveries for the day, he walked three blocks to his condo. Uncle Jayson bought the place shortly after he opened the shop in 1957 for a little over fifty thousand dollars. With the neighborhood becoming a hotspot for young families, Chris expected the property value to jump again within two or so years.

  The minute he closed the door, Chris ambled across the living room to open the curtains. The afternoon sun shone through the French style windows, bringing light to his otherwise boring sitting area. He'd done most of the updating himself, painting the walls in earthy tones, buffing the hardwood floors, and adding very little furniture to make the place his own.

  "Damn, it's too hot to cook. Take out it is." Chris pulled one of the menus off the fridge. "Sushi, Thai, pizza, ugh, I need something different." He tossed the papers on the counter and plucked his phone from his pocket. "Almost six, maybe..." Chris thought to himself about his call to Andre Bentley. "I wonder if Andre would join me for dinner." Before he lost his nerve, Chris dialed Andre's number. He drummed his fingers on the laminate counter and tapped his feet. "Are you going to answer or[?]"

  Open your eyes and let someone in!

  Jessie's words rang in his head like a clock alarm. Chris figured this to be the best way to heed her advice.

  "Hello, Chris." A deep voice sounded through his handset.

  That voice!

  Andre's tone made all his fantasies come true. Not the same kind Derek would invoke either. "Hi, Dre. Listen, I know this is on short notice, but I was kind of hoping..." Chris gulped hard and muttered to himself. "Um, are you available for dinner tonight?"

  "I was gonna ask you the same thing. Great minds think alike, huh?"

  Chris laughed. "Shut up, no you didn't--"

  Andre chuckled heartily. "Yeah, I did. I wanted to ask you in the shop, but too many people were around and... well, sometimes I'm kind of shy."

  "No way. What the heck do you have to be shy about?" Chris asked incredulous.

  Andre's alto laugh warmed him in more ways than one. He wanted to hear that voice and see his body up close.

  "A lot." Andre answered. His smile came through the phone. "I'm a private person, but I couldn't stop myself from chatting with you earlier. If I didn't have the office to go back to, I would've stayed to talk more."

  "Mhm, well so since we both want to get together..."

  "Are you hungry now?"

  Not just for food.

  Chris shocked himself with those thoughts. Although one-nighters scared him, he figured why not take the plunge like Jessie said?

  Let lust be your guide.

  "I am," Chris leaned on the counter. "What's your pleasure?" Chris slapped himself in the head, face flushed from that question.

  "My pleasure would be to kiss your lips like there's no tomorrow. If you meant dinner, I'm in the mood for Mexican cuisine."

  Chris heated from that and fanned himself from Andre's response. He'd love nothing more than to follow through on that request. "Mhm, I ... I know this wonderful place not far from my condo. They have great food and huge margaritas, unless, you'd like something else."

  "Oh, that's perfect. It's Thursday, but hey, as long as we don't go overboard, we shouldn't be hung over."

  Nope. Usually the large size is good enough for me. Um, do you live near Lakeview?"

  "Actually, I'm on the Gold Coast. I'll come pick you up and we can head over if you like."

  "Cool, how about seven-thirty? Is that enough time?" Chris eyed his phone.

  "Plenty. I just need a quick shower and I'll be on my way in sixty, okay?"

  Chris nibbled on his lips and closed his eyes a moment to vision Andre's body under the shower head.

  The hot spray hitting his muscles, back, and buttocks, pressed against the wall, and...

  "Chris, are you still there?"

  "Um, yeah, I ... look forward to seeing you then!" He managed to get those few words out.

  "I do too. See you in a bit."

  "Bye." Chris pushed the disconnect button and screeched. "Oh God, I don't believe I just asked this man out on a date. We don't even freaking know one another." Chris spun on his heel. "What the hell, am I that desperate for a man?" He ran his hand through his hair. "What the heck, he's gorgeous. Why should I hold back when what I want is staring me right in the face?"

  After taking almost thirty minutes to shower and stress over his outfit, Chris finally settled on a pair of black slacks with a white shirt and vest. He figured the tie would be going overboard for their first date. Besides, they wouldn't be going to a formal place so there was no need to overdress.

  Antsy, Chris eyed the clock on the wall while he brushed his hair. "I think it's time for a haircut." He pushed his locks off his shoulder and tugged on the bottom of his vest. "Dammit, I hate wearing vests without jackets, but it's hot outside and I wanna look ..."

  The doorbell sounded, interrupting his train of thought. "Shit, that must be him." Chris rushed to the door and pushed the intercom button. "Hello?"

  "Chris, it's me, Andre."

  The moment Andre spoke through the recei
ver, Chris's heart thumped in his chest. He clasped it and took a deep breath to calm himself down.

  "All right, I'm on my way down."

  Why am I so nervous?

  It had been quite a while between dates for Chris. In fact, he couldn't recall the last time he went out with a man he had even remote interest in.

  Chris exhaled and picked up his keys off the side table. "Here goes nothing." He turned the knob and walked out, quickly closing the door behind him. Though this was only the first date, Chris hoped this would turn into something more and he wouldn't need to be in this situation again.

  Andre waited on the stairs, anticipating Chris's arrival. While getting ready, he'd went back and forth in his mind about what to do with the job his sister in law asked him to complete.

  I can't do this.

  Despite just meeting Chris he was already having second thoughts. Before, it was just another reason to get some ass, but now...

  Now?

  Andre was already conflicted. Though business was the most important thing, Andre couldn't help but think of the possibilities. Sure, he wasn't ready for commitment, but dating Chris just to see where it went would be nice. No way could he do that while trying to convince him to sell his restaurant.

  "Andre, you okay?" Chris's voice sounded behind him.

  Startled, Andre turned around, nearly losing his balance. "Oh hey. Just thinking that's all." He took Chris's hand and brought it up to his lips. When his mouth touched Chris's skin, his body tingled all over. "You really look good tonight. Well, you looked great earlier too, but now..."

  Andre was losing it. Not cute by any means but there was something about Chris that made the normally calm and cool Andre off-kilter.

  "Thank you." Chris eyed him, flashing his pearly white smile. "Ready to go then?"

  "Yes." Andre pecked his hand one more time then let go. Holding onto the railing, Andre shifted on his heel and headed down the steps.