There’s gotta be something wrong with him.

There always is.

But as Steven Frish desperately tries not to drown in the deep blue eyes of the handsome hunk, he can almost hear Dusty Springfield singing “The Look of Love”, which is always a warning sign that he needs to quickly reign in his emotions before he loses complete control and jumps the beefcake’s bones.

Oh my God, look at those devastating dimples.

Shit. It’s too late.

He’s already a goner.

“I’m sorry, did you say ‘Eve’?” a confused Adam now inquires.

“No—Steve—my name’s Steve—n. Steven. After Steve McQueen—the actor. Mom was a big fan.”

“Oh, so you’re Adelle’s son?”

“Yup. That’s my mama.”

“So—you live here with her?”

“Oh God no! I’m just visiting. I have my own place—near the lake.”

“How nice. I wish we lived closer to the lake. I love the water.”

“You swim?”

Adam does and, after Mr. Frish invites him in out of the cold, more intimate details are revealed: he just started a new job in advertising—and he and his boyfriend are still busy unpacking—and he feels like he’s met Steven somewhere before, so the young man happily reminds him of their brief meeting during the marathon last year, which Adam admits he didn’t finish either (after he and Seth drove up from Indianapolis for the race)—and this sweet confession only makes Steven wish he could share a bowl of buttered popcorn with the incredible hunk while watching the George Clooney DVD he just received from Netflix—and, of course, halfway through Adam would stop the movie to ravish him senseless.

Obviously, it’s been awhile since Steven last had sex.
“And what do you do?” Adam now asks him.

“Do?”

“For a living.”

“Oh—well—that all depends on how much you’re willing to pay,” he replies with a mischievous smile. Unfortunately, Adam doesn’t have a clue that this unexpected—and somewhat sleazy—answer is only a lame attempt at a joke. And as the hunk’s sexy eyebrows rise in surprise, Steven silently curses himself and wonders how best to proceed without further humiliation.

“It was a joke—a very bad joke,” he finally replies.

“Oh . . .”

“You didn’t really think that—I mean look at me. Who would pay for a piece of this?”

“I might.”

“What?” Steven cannot believe his own ears—is Mr. Wonderful actually hitting on him?

“You’re a very attractive guy.”

“You think so?”

“Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re hot stuff.”

“You’re teasing me now, aren’t you?”

A big grin spreads across Adam’s handsome face as he chuckles: “Sorry, I couldn’t resist—but you are cute.”

“Thanks,” says Steven, who knows he’s just saying that to be nice. “Maybe I should start turning tricks on Halsted.”

“I’m sure you’d make good money.”

If I looked like you I would, Mr. Frish almost tells the sexy stud—but instead he decides to get their seriously derailed conversation back on track: “I’m actually an office manager for a non-profit arts organization.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“Only if you like ordering office supplies for coffee-addicted creative types.”

“And do you?”

“Well, since I am a coffee-addicted creative type, I always order myself the nicest pens.”

The two men exchange smiles before Adam asks: “And how creative are you?”

This loaded question brings all kinds of tantalizing answers to the tip of Steven’s tongue as he wonders whether to be honest and reveal the novelist hidden deep within him or take a risk and reply:

“Oh, I’ve got a vivid imagination, mister, anything goes.”

And then his tender lips would be devoured by the blue-eyed beast and . . .

“Adam, what a pleasant surprise!” squeals Adelle Frish as she barges in the front door and hugs her foxy neighbor, destroying her son’s dream of some afternoon delight. “I see you’ve met my pride and joy. Isn’t he gorgeous?”

Mr. McTavish nods in agreement while giving Steven a look that makes the young man want to rip off all his clothes and scream, “Take me, I’m yours!” But he refrains from such inappropriate behavior as he watches Mr. Wonderful return the dish that he’s been holding all this time to its rightful owner, Adelle, who recently whipped up a tasty tuna casserole for her new neighbors.

“Isn’t he just delightful?” Mrs. Frish remarks after Adam’s delicious dimples have departed. “And what a pretty puss he’s got. If only I was a few years
younger . . .”

“He’s a homosexual, Mom.”

“Yes, I know.” She lets out a sad sigh before continuing: “It’s just too bad he’s already got a boyfriend.”

“Lucky guy,” Steven tells his mother, who caresses his cheek and gently says: “Someday your prince will come.”

Adelle then suggests going out for Chinese for dinner, which never fails to put a smile on her son’s face.

And next door Adam McTavish notices a frown appear when he informs his lucky—but terribly insecure—boyfriend about his chat with Mr. Frish.

“Don’t worry, baby. You know I only have eyes for you,” he reassures Seth while wrapping his strong arms around him.

They kiss and then make love—and all’s quiet on the jealous front—at least for today.

To be continued . . .

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