Tom can’t catch a break when it comes to his love life. He isn’t good with romance, as his exes told him in uncharitable terms, and he’s starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with him. So when he finds himself attracted to his temporary roommate, he’s afraid of being called inadequate all over again.<br><br>Alex has serious anxiety which make his life a challenge and his dating prospects slim to nonexistent. He assumes Tom isn’t interested in him because men never are. It’s a pleasant surprise to start a friends-with-benefits relationship, so Alex goes out on a limb in an attempt to impress Tom. When it backfires spectacularly, he thinks all hope is lost.<br><br>Both men are held back by past rejections. Will a minor crisis bring them together ... or tear them apart?

Acts of Service

“I’m definitely up for that,” said Alex. “The cheesier, the better, after the day I had.”


“Is this the apartment hunt or crap at work?”


“Mostly work, though searching for a place isn’t helping. Office politics strike again. The owner is looking to expand soon, and these two people are jockeying to see who can kiss his ass more so he’ll pick them to head up the new team. That means they’re both trying to get me to prioritize their work, and they don’t seem to grasp that I couldn’t care less about their power struggle.”


“Sounds like a case for the relaxation factor of pure cheese.”


“I like my job, generally speaking. My supervisor isn’t bad, but I hate to go to her to discipline these two knuckleheads. It makes me look pathetic. I also try not to deal with the owner very much, because he’s an abrasive personality who thinks my entire life should revolve around his company.”


Chapter 9