Chapter 1

Bobby and Keith’s bachelor party

August

“Who’s that guy in the corner?” Enzo Del Monte asked Mike Green. “I didn’t notice him when I came into the club tonight.”

“No one special…Grayson Grey.” Mike shook his head.

“He’s cute. I think I’ll go over and say hello.”

“Don’t. He’s engaged and his fiancé is very jealous. He won’t thank you for it.”

“Why is he alone if he’s engaged?” Enzo turned his head, looking for the absent fiancé. If he were Gray’s fiancé, he wouldn’t let him go to a party alone. Especially a guy as beautiful as Gray. His rare smile was spectacular.

“The fiancé got sick at the last minute, and Gray had to be here. Keith’s his boss.” Mike shrugged. “Don’t you have something to do with Electronic Design Associates?” Mike leaned forward, moving into Enzo’s personal space. His expression and body language showed apparent interest.

Enzo, having a great deal of experience with men who wanted his money, knew better than to say he owned the company. “Yeah, I’m an engineer.”

“That’s a great job, better than a bar manager.” Mike took a sip of the drink in his hand.

“Don’t put yourself down…” Enzo glanced over at Gray again.

Mike gazed into Enzo’s eyes. Enzo shrugged, appreciating the attention, and the other man was taken, so he pivoted his chair back to face Mike who wasn’t so bad himself. He glanced one more time at Gray from under his eyelashes. Too bad he’s taken. He’s adorable when he smiles.

* * * *

Mike put on a sad face.

“What’s wrong?” Enzo put his beer down on the bar.

“Oh, it’s nothing. My mom’s sick. I worry about her.” Mike regarded Enzo with downcast eyes. He’s buying it.

“That’s rough. I lost my father when I was young. I can’t even think about what losing my mother would be like.”

Mike’s voice lowered an octave. “I deal, that’s all you can do.”

“If there’s something I can do to help, let me know.”

Got him.

Enzo’s eyes went to Gray one more time then he shook his head.

Mike watched Enzo. Stare all you want, but you’re not going near him. If anyone’s going to get a chance at the brass ring, it’s me. 1

One week before Halloween

October 24th, early Monday morning

At 1:45, Bobby Michaels pulled into the parking lot of The Sunset. He parked his Outback at the front of the club rather than the rear because he decided to have a beer. Entering the front door, Bobby waved to the bartenders, and sat in Reggie’s old seat at the end of the main bar. Gray was working that station tonight.

“Hi, Bobby, you come to get Keith?” Gray went to the tap and drew Bobby a Heineken.

Mike, who managed the bar for Keith and Zach, was chatting up the only other customer left in the club, Enzo Del Monte.

“Yep, we have a breakfast date.” Bobby smiled softly. Keith was his husband of two months. He pivoted his head to take in the whole bar. The renovation for which he did the architectural drawings earlier that year was finished. Sunset appeared modern, sleek, and upscale, with wood floors and golden paneling. The new light oak bar with the mirrored back wall wasn’t too shabby, either. Bobby patted himself on the back. On Sunday nights, the DJ left at eleven, and the waiters were picking up the empties and wiping the tables down before the cleaning service showed up at six.

Gray put Bobby’s Heineken in front of him and shot a dark glare at Mike down the end of the bar. Bobby raised an eyebrow. Gray grunted in disgust. “All Mike wants is his money. He’s a poser.” Gray finished polishing the highball glass and held it up to the light to check for fingerprints. He placed the glass next to the others on the mirrored shelf. “He’s been trying to tap into Enzo’s wallet since he met him.”

“Why would you say that?” Bobby’s leg twitched. It always did that when he was upset. Up in everyone’s business as always, he was interested in why Gray disliked Mike.

“Because he’s straight. He’s the only bartender in the place who is, and Keith and Zach don’t know.”

“Jason worked with the guy, he vouched for him.” Bobby’s temper always resulted in a leg twitch. This time Bobby’s leg twitched so hard he had to hold it down. Since his friend Jack married Carlo, Carlo’s extended family had bonded with Jack’s adopted family. Bobby didn’t like the fact that Mike was playing games, not only with one of his husband’s customers, but with Enzo, Carlo’s cousin, who Bobby considered to be one of his own.