Renowned interior designer Fredi Zimmer is surprised when outdoorsman Max Greene, owner of Greene’s Outdoors, hires him to revamp Max’s rustic cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Fredi is an out-and-proud Metro male whose contact with the outdoors is from his car to the doorway of the million-dollar homes he remodels, and to Fredi, Max is a typical straight man’s man. When Max blatantly and clumsily flirts with Fredi, Fredi’s stereotypical view of Max is shattered. Is this a build-up to a gay bashing? Cautiously believing Max is closeted and is trying to come out, Fredi decides he’s game to put a little spice into Max’s life, whether it’s in the colors and fixtures he’ll use to turn Max's dilapidated cabin into a showplace or over one of the many lunches and dinners they share talking about the remodel. Who can blame a guy for adding a little sensual pleasure as he retools Max’s life visually? Besides, Fredi has a backup plan if he’s wrong about Max’s intentions. Life would be all wine and roses if it weren’t for Max’s former friends and their conservative families. Alarmed with Max’s obvious infatuation, they make it their business to save him from sliding into hell. With the battle on, will Fredi and Max win the fight for a life of happiness together?

Redesigning Max

With a sigh of longing, I turned around.


“Okay, we’re done. While we drive back to town, I’ll explain what happens from here.”


On the way, I asked about his budget, which sounded more than adequate for any grandiose ideas. I told him he’d be getting sketches and an estimate in a few days since I was fired up to work on this right now. All I needed to do was a background check on his financial stability and we were set.


Back in town, Max let me off at the coffee shop. As I got ready for my next appointment, the beauty and serenity of the cabin’s bedroom stayed with me, digging a little place into my heart. What a waste of a wonderful location on a straight man.  3


Chapter 9