Brad can’t believe his luck when he finds the perfect place to live at the perfect price. It’s a pity his new landlord Douglas is such a miserable grump. It isn’t long before he wonders if it’s a good idea to be living in such close proximity to such a moody ogre.<br><br>Fortunately, his life at work is looking up with the arrival of a new employee named Enzo. Brad falls immediately in lust with the hot Italian. They start dating, though it soon becomes apparent there are going to be problems. Enzo starts exhibiting some unlikeable traits and, while Brad finds himself slowly falling in love with the man, he also realizes Enzo has problems not just with commitment, but also with his sexuality.<br><br>Brad has a dilemma. Does he persist with Enzo, tolerate his bad behavior, and pray for a miraculous, happy ending? Or will the love he seeks come from an entirely different direction?

The Grump

“Thanks for walking me to my car,” said Enzo before getting in and pulling the door shut.


Brad watched Enzo pull onto the road, momentarily dumbfounded as little pieces of his hope for something meaningful with the man drifted to the ground around him like flakes of black snow. 8


Brad returned to work the following Monday more reluctant to see Enzo than Lorraine.


“Sorry about Friday,” he said, having found her. “I don’t know what was wrong. Some twenty-four hour thing.”


Lorraine gave him a look that suggested she didn’t believe him. “Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better,” she said, smirking.


Brad avoided Enzo as much as he could during the morning, but bumped into him at the vending machine during their afternoon break.


“Sorry about Saturday. At Camaletti’s,” said Enzo.


Brad raised an eyebrow. “Seems to be a pattern.”


Enzo looked at him with what was probably a well-used puppy dog expression. “You pissed off with me?”


Chapter 16