"Are you crazy? Gay angels? The papacy would excommunicate you!"

John shrugged. "I'm not Catholic. I'm just a gay guy with a fixation with wings."

Rodney goggled at that. "Okay," he said slowly. "Why are you bringing your novel to me?"

"Mainstream presses won't touch it. And you did that gay space-explorer novel last year. That Zelnoca one."

"Zelenka," Rodney said. "I wrote that. Zelenka is my pen name."

"Cool," John said. "My book is way better than that one."

Rodney arched an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, right."

John ran a finger over the manuscript box in his lap, noticing that Rodney's eyes followed the motion. "Read it and see."

"And if I like it..." Rodney said, grinning.

"You get to publish it. And go on a date with me." John had a grin of his own.

"Why can't I have the date first?"

John's grin got more predatory. "Conflict of interest. I wouldn't want to unduly influence your decision based on my exemplary blow-job skills." He placed the box on the desk and watched Rodney open the cover.

"So?" he started, but Rodney waved a dismissive hand at him and looked down at the first page.

"Quiet. I'm reading."