The Do Over

By Alex Winters

Jude Danvers is no virgin, but after a two-year dry spell, he might as well be. No wonder he can’t stop peeping on his sexy new neighbor, whose dining room window just happens to face his own. When the poor guy has a table set for two and a date who doesn’t show, Jude puts a covert plan into action to invite himself over and try to see if he can’t find romance a little closer to home for a change.

Evan Peters is a virgin who, after coming out to his long-time roommate, moved out to start a life on his own and wants to lose his virginity as fast as he can. Namely, by inviting random strangers over to dinner, none of whom have taken him up on his offer yet. When his new neighbor Jude comes to the rescue after one such disastrous non-date, the two strike a sexy deal: Jude will finally punch Evan’s V-card and, since Jude’s first time with some musclebound hunk on the down low was so disastrous, Evan will be his “do over.”

Will the one-night stand be a match made in heaven? Or will the two screw it all up by catching feelings and making it a one-life stand instead?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Nov 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685501747

Alex Winters

Alex Winters is the pseudonym of a busy restaurant manager whose curious young staff would love nothing more than to follow him around the dining room reading his steamiest, most romantic passages aloud! When not writing romantic holiday stories of various heat levels, he enjoys long walks with his wife, scary movies and smooth jazz. Visit him at www.awintersromance.com to see what stories are brewing up next!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jude

Are we really doing this, bro?

Jude Danvers stood on his front porch, smirking at the delivery boy-slash-grown-ass man in the overstuffed tie-dye Groove Shack T-shirt. Doing what, exactly? Jude winked above a merry grin.

Carlton Caruthers frowned and did a little hip-jut thing. Don’t play dumb with me, Jude.

Jude chuckled and took the greasy paper bag from Carlton’s thick ebony fingers. Listen, you just keep bringing the food and I’ll take it from here, okay?

I have other customers, you know? Carolton insisted, eyes widening at the fifty-dollar bill Jude was sliding into his palm to buy his silence and, Jude supposed, his cooperation. You want change for that? Carlton wore a doubtful face, as if there was no possible way Jude was tipping him that much dough for a simple pastrami on rye sandwich.

Jude shook his head. No, keep it for your troubles and, while we’re on the subject, what other customers, Carlton? It’s five P.M. on a school night and during slow season, I might add.

Says the dude with the night off, Carlton murmured, quickly pocketing the nearly forty dollar tip before Jude could change his mind.

Tell me I’m wrong, though, Jude said, sliding the gaily wrapped sandwich atop his porch railing while haggling with his stubborn delivery guy.

Carlton sighed, slight shoulders collapsing and soft, poochy belly pressing against his employee T-shirt. Fine, yes Jude, you got me! Both our stores are empty at the moment, hence me delivering your food myself.

Jude arched an eyebrow, poking Carlton in the belly for good measure. That reminds me, if you don’t mind, can you have Jenny deliver the next round.

What? Why?

Just, I don’t want my neighbor getting the wrong idea, that’s all.

"And what idea is that, exactly?"

Jude rolled his eyes. He knew he should have just ordered from some random pizza parlor in the first place, if only to avoid all the drama. Still, he’d rather give his money to a local Mom and Pop shop than some nameless corporation. That you and I are having a lover’s spat every time you roll up here in the delivery van with another tasty morsel.

As if, Carlton huffed playfully, reminding Jude why they’d become fast friends in the first place, despite managing competing cafes in the same strip mall! Don’t flatter yourself, pretty boy.

Jude rolled his eyes. You know what I mean, big guy.

Carlton glanced from Jude’s porch to his neighbor’s, arching one furry black eyebrow above his stylish red glass frames. Remind me why you’re not ordering all this food from the Meet Market in the first place.

My own restaurant? Please, that would look…beyond pathetic.

Carlton issued a torrid huff, his personal specialty. More pathetic than ordering hundreds of dollars’ worth of food you don’t need to impress a guy you don’t even know? Who may not even be watching all this go down in the first place?

Jude winced, glancing next door to make sure the windows were still closed. Keep your voice down, Carolton, sheesh!

Carlton waved a hand and huffed dismissively at the same time. Anyway, Jude clapped back, gently shoving the big guy off his porch. You cruise guys your way, and I’ll cruise them mine, okay?

Carlton nodded sympathetically as his size thirteen sneakers shimmied down the front porch steps, pausing on the sidewalk. Let’s just hope you have a little more success than I do lately.

Lately? Jude huffed, glancing left and right before finishing that particular thought. I’m going on two years here, otherwise you think I’d act this desperately?

Carlton chuckled a wheezy smoker’s cough before reaching for the keys