ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 123

The very last thing Ethan Stone had been planning on doing was kissing Zipp Dennis. It had just happened especially the more he looked into the man's puppy dog innocent brown eyes as he stared at him. Zipp was just too damn appealing. Like an overgrown golden retriever or basset hound constantly stumbling over his too big paws as he slid through life. So innocent. So pure. So sweet. Ethan may be still deep in the closet and his heart was still filled with Richard and their one night together only one of them remembered but he was not a monk. He had been with other men in quiet relationships. A handful anyway but they all eventually ended because it was too quiet, too discreet, too closeted. Especially the last one with the Capitol Hill staffer for Reilly Arnett who had reminded him of Richard; Kevin had been considering popping out of his own closet and that was the very last thing Ethan wanted or needed in his life. So goodbye, Kevin.

Zipp was right. Their own friendship had eased off a bit during Zipp's fourteen year " relationship" with Flower. Not that Ethan had not liked the woman but he didn't think she was right for him. As much as Ethan clung to his closet he wanted to push Zipp from his own. Because he wanted Zipp to fully enjoy life with all its aspects and benefits and occasional joys.

But kissing him ? No , he hadn't planned on doing it. Not now with the man so vulnerable after his daughter's suicide. Not now after the Flower trouble. But he also had not planned on the feelings that had flared up in him the minute their lips met. As they broke apart his mind chirped out that it was the best kiss of his life but it was also one destined never to happen again. Because he had absolutely nothing to offer someone like Zipp Dennis.

Zipp licked at his kiss swollen lips hopefully and blinked his eyes that were partially blocked by the brown curly hair that hung endearingly in front of them. Why was this so.... so damn ..... cute ? , he thought as he tried to maintain his decorum once more. What man was cute in his forties ?

" You kissed me. " Zipp's voice as he whispered the words sounded so filled with absolute wonder it made his own heart twang with emotions best left restrained.

" Yes. I apologize. I overstepped myself, Zennis. Don't worry. It won't happen again. Now why are you still here? Wouldn't you be more comfortable at your own home? Or my place? "

He watched the light slowly move out of Zipp's eyes , the hope , the wonder, and he wanted to kick himself. He wanted that light to turn back on again. For some reason.

Zipp shrugged as he returned back to his bowl of plain oatmeal that he had added too much skim milk and brown sugar to. " I.... I just am not ready. Too many memories. I guess. I'll go back. Just not now. Besides how can you not like room service and regular housekeeping and a lounge downstairs with karaoke every night? Remember when we all got so wasted at karaoke night back in Boston? You , me , Claire...... Richard? "

Yes. He did. He , unlike Richard Norland, was cursed to recall everything about his life.

" Yes. But it was trivia night not karaoke. "