GENRE: Gay Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 12,844 words
RATING:

Best friends since they were children, Mikhail and Solomon later took their friendship to the next level. But they have a falling out after a horrible mistake.

Seven years later, the men are reunited on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean where they both work as waiters. The animosity between them runs deep, but the close quarters at sea bring them back together, with a little help from a fellow shipmate.

Can Solomon and Mikhail move beyond the mistakes they made in the past and rekindle what they had? Or are they fated to only being friends?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Solomon considered making some appearances in the gym. He and Mikhail used to work out, and Mikhail had a way of making it fun. He sighed. “After all those years, he’s back in my life. Damn.”

Jimmy teasingly poked Solomon. “She’s beautiful even when she doesn’t smile. Do you think she’ll marry me?”

“Of course. She’s clearly a masochist.” He chuckled and poked Jimmy back. “Have you asked your wife?”

“Oh, you’re growing a sense of humor. Good. Soon you’ll come into puberty.”

Jimmy and Solomon got along well. Jimmy rarely teased Solomon for his quiet and stoic ways and adherence to Jewish customs or about being gay. Jimmy even quit swearing in respect for Solomon.

The rep walked among the crew. “In a few days, it will be the first day of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. We have a Rabbi on board, a passenger, who will hold a special worship session. As an exception, crew are welcome to join passengers. Remember to review your handbooks so you have a basic understand of this holiday and the others coming up: Christmas, Kwanzaa, and so on. We respect our passengers and each other.”

The meeting ended, and employees returned to assigned duties. Solomon double-checked the tables in his service area for the first dinner serving.

It was inevitable. In a corner of the kitchen, Solomon ran into Mikhail.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Mikhail extended his hand. “Shalom, Solomon. I hope you’re well.”

Anger washed over Solomon. “Schmuck. Stay away from me.” He slapped Mikhail’s hand away and turned his back.

“I wrote you one hundred apology notes. I’m sorry you carry so much pain. Maybe a rabbi can help.”

Solomon ignored him.

Mikhail didn’t let it go. “The Bible doesn’t teach us to carry hate.”

“It doesn’t teach back stabbing, either.”

Solomon stormed out. He took deep breaths to calm himself and said a quick prayer. He took his job seriously and had to be exuberant for the passengers. He tried to push from his mind the years of history with Mikhail, starting when they were ten. At fourteen, they got jobs as busboys together and kept their friendship despite going to different high schools. They went to the same college,

He prayed. Dear God, scratch him from my memory.