Nice and Vicious

By Mere Rain

Nice lived for Fritz, until Fritz dumped him just before the holidays. Nice is convinced Fritz doesn’t really love his new boyfriend. He’ll do anything to get Fritz back -- even pretend to date Fritz’s hated rival, Visho. When Fritz sees Nice with Visho, he’s sure to be jealous. Right? This plan sounded better in Nice’s head than it does when he’s explaining it to a very hot, very sarcastic stranger.

Visho lives for his career. He doesn’t have time for romance. How did that incompetent Fritz end up with both the promotion and the boyfriend? At least Visho can get a little revenge by pretending to date Fritz’s adorable ex -- even if sweet, easy-going Nice is the opposite of Visho’s type. Visho likes edgier guys, guys who push back when he gives them a hard time. Not men who are so ... Nice.

Nice and Visho both know what they want, and it’s not each other. Absolutely not. Definitely no. Probably ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Dec 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685503499

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nice

It took him seven minutes of pacing to work up his nerve, and another minute with his finger hovering above the plastic button before he managed to ring the bell.

A voice from behind the door called, Who is it?

It’s Nice.

What? The door opened, revealing a dark-haired man with a widow’s peak, aquiline nose, and sardonic eyes. At least Nice was at the right address.

Oh, you. Fritz’s twinkie. What do you want?

I need your help.

Visho raised one eyebrow.

If Nice were less miserable, he would have been jealous.

I wasn’t aware I owed you a favor.

You don’t. But this wouldn’t be a favor exactly. I mean, you might want to. You seem vindictive.

The corner of Visho’s mouth turned up. How right you are. Come in.

Nice followed him into a really lovely foyer with wide windows, enormous potted plants in painted pottery planters, and rustic tile floor.

Your house is great, Nice said.

It was my mother’s, Visho said, dropping into one of a pair of worn velvet chairs under a huge mirror in a white frame. This was her decorating.

Oh, gosh, sorry, is she—

Visho waved him off. She moved back to Italy. Get on with telling me about this favor.

Fritz dumped me.

Visho snorted. I’d say you got lucky. I don’t expect you to agree, but I can’t be the first person you turned to for sympathy.

No, of course not. You hate Fritz—

Hate is a bit strong. He irritates me. I don’t waste things as important as hate on petty rivals.

He got the promotion you wanted.

Visho shrugged, but the curl of his mouth was ugly.

Everyone but Fritz thought you would get it. That you deserved it.

I did, Visho said.

Fritz is dating Chad Melton.

Oh ho. Visho sneered. Nepotistic bastards. I knew George Melton couldn’t really think Fritz was a better choice. But why are you telling me? This isn’t exactly lawsuit material.

I want to be your date to the company Christmas party.

Visho blinked. Are you planning to cause a scene?

No! Nice never made scenes. It hadn’t even crossed his mind. I want him to be jealous. He’s a jealous person. Maybe if he sees me with you—

He’ll realize he really loved you all along and drop his rich and connected new boyfriend?

It could happen, Nice said desperately. Anyway, he’d be pissed off. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

I would, Visho purred. I love watching him grind his teeth. Can I put my hand on your ass?

What?

At the party. Not right now, obviously.

Nice blushed. I guess so. So you’ll do it?

Why not? I have to go anyway. This should make the wasted evening mildly amusing. And if there is a scene, I’ll tell people you’re Fritz’s.

Fine. Great. Let’s exchange numbers—

In a minute. He stood and headed toward a door. Let’s talk more.

About what? Nice asked warily as he followed Visho further into the house.

They passed from