Etienne and Dominique were due to arrive at any moment. I had to pull myself together. I had come in to work early because I just couldn't stand the sight of my apartment right now. Not after I caught that cheating bastard in my bed with my best friend! As soon as I got myself under control, I would think about it and the tears would start again.

I heard noises in the hall and hurried to clean myself up. After a last sniffle, I looked at myself in the mirror. Well, the puffy, red eyes couldn't be helped. I walked out of the bathroom and passed the duo, who were having an animated discussion. I turned my face away and said good morning. Etienne didn't notice but
Dominique grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. A look of worry passed his face but before he could say anything, Etienne called for him. I waved my arm at him, just go. Talk later, he mouthed. I gave a small smile.

I had worked for Etienne as a historian for the last five years; I was the one that verified the authenticity of his purchases, he was a wonderful and thoughtful boss. Then Dominique came to work here a couple of months ago.

He was a magnificent specimen of a man. Those deep green eyes, that quirky smile, hair I would love to curl my hands in and a body to die for. Too bad he was absolutely gay. I had even met his partner, Pierre, at a party Etienne had thrown at his house. I was one of the few straight people that Etienne could stand to have around. I didn't mind, I loved his friends, at least the men didn't try to hit on me.

I went back to work, researching a Ming Vase that was a recent acquisition. I dated it around 1403, an early piece. I had found it at an estate sale, the owner had no clue what it was worth, I picked it up for fifty dollars.
It would easily fetch at least a million on the open market. The task so absorbed me I didn't even notice Dominique sitting at the edge of my desk.

"What happened, Mina?" He asked quietly.

I was so startled that if the vase had been in my hand instead of sitting on my desk, I would have dropped it. Damn his concern, I started to tear up again. He handed me his handkerchief and I dabbed my eyes.

"Nothing you need to worry about, Dominique", I sighed.

"I'm worried anyways, set my mind at ease."

"I caught that bastard Jason cheating on me again, this time with Elene! I kicked him out."

"Oh love, he doesn't deserve you, you'll find someone much better," he covered my hand with his own.

"Like you and Pierre?" He seemed to choke on something and pulled back.

"Something like that", he muttered, "you're young, absolutely beautiful, I would fall for you in a second."

I couldn't help laughing, "Darling, if I could turn you, I'd grab you right now and take you into a closet and have my way with you."

He blushed red and stammered something unintelligible.

"I know, I'm just the wrong sex, but thank you Dominique. That was the nicest compliment you could have given me."

He smiled shyly and walked away. I couldn't help watching his backside as he walked away. What a waste!

I turned back to my work, finishing with the vase and starting on some new projects Etienne had given me. Two Picasso drawings, a set of Japanese Porcelain Geisha Dolls. I was surprised it was so late by the time I had finished. Etienne had left hours ago. I saw Dominique was still at his desk as well, poring over dusty manuscripts. Loud noises from outside made me turn my head to the window behind me. I had forgotten about the festival, Diver/Cité. The Gay and Lesbian Festival that was running this weekend. I turned to find Dominique standing beside me, an odd look on his face.

"Something wrong, Dominique?"

He shook his head as if to clear it, "I forgot about the festival, Etienne is having another party this weekend." He didn't look happy about it.

"Yes, I said I'd come", I smiled

"You will?" That seemed to brighten him up.

"Are you bringing Pierre?"

He cleared he throat again, I found it odd that he didn't like talking about Pierre, they were lovers and all.

"Uh, no, Pierre is out of town this weekend."

"That's a shame, I do like him. Now you know that all the men will be hitting on you." I laughed as he grimaced.

"None of them are really my type", he said, leaning over and looking deeply into my eyes. If I didn't know any better, I would have said that he was propositioning me. I shook my head, must be the late work hours.

"We'll find a nice boy for you Dominique, I grinned, "I'm for home, goodnight, love."

The party was in full swing when I arrived. My things were taken up to my usual room and I wandered about trying to find Etienne. I found him out back, on the lawn, holding court with his partner, Victor at his side. He
was telling the outrageous story of the vicar's wife but I had heard it before. I took a seat amongst the guests, checking to see who was here this time. Etienne's parties were famous among the gay community and they all
vied for an invitation to his house. The party at Festival time was the most coveted of all. The usual celebs were there; Jillian, the artist, Jonathon, the singer, Michael, the model. There were a few surprises though, Arthur, Elizabeth and Colin were no where to be seen. Must have fallen out of favor.

I settled in with a glass of wine and watched as all the guests stared avidly at Etienne. He suddenly broke off his story and got up, I turned to see Dominique striding across the lawn. He looked wonderful in a crimson
silk shirt and tight, tight leather pants. I wondered how he got in them; I could almost count the change in his pockets. He walked over to Etienne and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. The only place left to sit was beside me and I gestured for him to sit. He smiled and sat beside me with a sigh. I had watched his backside as he turned to sit and could swear that he wasn't wearing anything under those pants.

As dark fell, we all moved into the house. We mingled in the reception room waiting until dinner was served. As I had surmised, Dominique was the center of attention for all the single men. He was surrounded on all sides and I laughed to myself at how uncomfortable he looked. I was speaking to Jillian about her/his new work when Dominique came up to us and pulled on my arm. He apologized as he pulled me away.

"Please, hide me, at least pretend to be having a deep conversation with me", he pleaded.

"Now Dominique, don't you like being the social butterfly?" I asked, mockingly.

"If one more of those men offer to keep me company for the night, I will scream!" He stamped his foot on the floor.

I couldn't hold in my laughter. I doubled over in pain from it. Tears were streaming down my face when I recovered. Dominique didn't look very pleased with me and I tried not to smile.

"I'm sorry, love, I don't know what to tell you, I warned you what would happen if you didn't bring Pierre."

Before he could reply, the butler came in to announce that dinner would be served. Dominique insisted on sitting beside me and I let him. It was a lovely meal, Lobster bisque, duck a l'orange with roasted asparagus, and a lovely strawberry sorbet for dessert. The conversation was lively as well. Martin sat on Dominique's other side and I could tell he was having a hard time with him. Martin is a touchy-feely sort of person and I felt Dominique's discomfort. Every time Martin touched him, he flinched and tried to move away. Unfortunately that made him press up against me. I could smell his cologne and feel his taut muscles. I was happy when dinner was over.

We all retired to the den, talking about this and that. Dominique stayed by my side and pulled me down into a love seat with him. The games began after that, the highlight of the evening. There was The Masquerade, all the guests had brought period costumes, some with outrageous alterations, feathered and leather masks abound. My costume was a simple one. A Chinese Courtesan costume in a lovely peacock blue-green silk and a peacock feathered mask. I knew whom most of the costumes hid; some because I had seen them before, some because I had seen them naked and some had birthmarks marks in places that Etienne and Victor had told me about. The music started and partners were chosen. This year seemed to revolve around the Middle Ages, lots of lace, petticoats and long stiff brocade jackets. I danced with a great many people, men and women. I was getting tired when I was pulled into a tight embrace. This one was new; a simple black pirate shirt with ties and tight black pants tucked into knee high black boots. A red sash was tied about his waist and a leather mask hid the top part of his face.

"Hello Dominique."

"How did you know it was me?"

"I can recognize your lips anywhere." I stammered, "I mean, you're the only one I hadn't recognized yet."

I tried to cover my faux pas, I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me. I couldn't think of anything to say after that. I couldn't be falling for him, I couldn't let myself. He was gay and I could do nothing to change that, I would only end up with my heart broken. The music ended and I fled.

I found Etienne and Victor and made my good night. I climbed to my room, disheartened. I had come here for a distraction from Jason. Now I needed to be distracted from something, someone I couldn't have. Life just isn't fair. 

I walked into my room and changed for sleep. All the people at the party knew I was straight so I wouldn't be bothered.

I woke up to a dark shadow slipping into my bed. I knew that bedtime was a game for the guests, sneaking from bedroom to bedroom was the highlight of their night but they all knew that I was off limits.

"I think you're in the wrong place, my friend, I'm straight," I whispered.

"So am I", a voice whispered back.

"Dominique!" I shouted.

He quickly put his hand over my mouth, "Shh, you'll wake them all up."

I reached for the lamp and blinked in the sudden light, "They're all still up, they're all playing switch the bedroom just like you are, but you're in the wrong one."

"No, I'm not", he sighed, "I'm not gay, I had to pretend to get the job with Etienne."

"You're lying, what about Pierre, I've seen you two together."

"Pierre is my best friend, he agreed to play the part of my boyfriend so that Victor would stop hitting on me."

"I don't understand, why the elaborate charade?"

"Etienne wanted a gay partner, I gave him one."

"So you're really not homosexual?"

"Would I do this if I was?" He leaned over and kissed me.

His lips were soft against mine, he pulled me closer and kissed me harder. I pulled away and looked into those fabulous green eyes. I saw the passion in them and realized it was for me. I pulled his face down and kissed him again. We started pulling each other's clothes off, kissing passionately in between. We laughed when he got caught in his shirt; he growled and pulled it off with a small ripping sound. But we stopped laughing as our naked bodies pressed together. Our love was everything I had hoped and longed for,
passionate, tender and wild at times. We made love numerous times that night. As the sun came up, he slipped from my room with a final kiss.

At breakfast, I could tell everyone was speculating who Dominique had spent the night with. Apparently several men had tried his bedroom and found it empty. I wasn't telling, and neither was he. We just smiled at each other and lower our eyes.

We spend all our free time together now. We go antiquing and to fine restaurants and we make love all the time. We haven't told Etienne yet. This will break his heart. But he'll get over it. We're the best team in
Montreal. He needs us. Just like Dominique and I need each other.