Laurie Parkinson, who’s lived in Laurel Hills all his life, is a gay sheet metal worker who’d rather be a gay hairdresser. Wheat Dupuis, who’s also gay, is the scion of one of Laurel Hill’s wealthiest families. He’d rather grow grapes than become CFO of Dupuis International. Laurie wakes one morning to discover his family gone and his town decimated by a bacteria that has lain dormant for millennia, incased in ice. With the melting of the ice caps, the bacteria is released, and mankind faces a pandemic that could surpass the Black Plague. Wheat and his family are on their way to safety when the unthinkable happens and he’s left behind. Laurie knows of a bunker in the woods outside Laurel Hill, where he intends to take refuge. On the way there, Laurie finds and rescues Wheat. Can two such dissimilar men work together through a pandemic to find their families ... and possibly find love, as well?

Pandemic

Sorry, there’s no connection. Try again!


He rebooted his phone. That usually did the trick.


What the actual fuck? Abruptly, his mouth went dry, and his hands began to shake so hard he was afraid he’d drop his phone. He’d totally forgotten: without people seeing they worked properly, the cell towers could be affected by what had happened.


“Jesus!” Laurie jumped sky-high and did drop his phone. Wheat had approached so quietly he hadn’t even heard him.


“Sorry.” He stood there with a shirttail hanging out. Why? Wheat stooped to pick up Laurie’s phone, but then stopped, groaned, and clutched his head. “Oh God, not a smart move.”


“Are you all right?” Laurie picked up his phone himself.


Wheat blew out a breath. “Just give me a second.”


“Here. Have some water.” Laurie handed him a bottle.


“I really hate this.” Wheat unscrewed the cap, tugged down his mask, and took a cautious swallow. “Really.”


Chapter 28