The ice sculpture of the giant rose was beginning to melt beneath the arc lights, so we had to move the shrimp and oyster bar to the center of the stage. The studio heads didn't seem to mind since they were too busy running around playing the needed politics in order to keep everyone happy-- from the above-the-line film stars, producers, writers, and director-- to the publicity and PR freaks who struggled to make sure the paparazzi were in order and that the hype was in control.

JD was calm, his cool exterior extolling confidence as he talked on his headset-- moving around the various buffet tables, party games, amusement park rides, and a line of fortune tellers with ease. The studio had spent big bucks on this party in another lavish display of Hollywood consumption that this city is so famous for-- however, I suppose I shouldn't complain since these parties could sometimes double our regular fee.

As I kept an eye on the kitchen manager and his staff, making sure the food tables were consistently full and prepped to feed the Hollywood elite, I noticed JD continued to hover in the same area by the fruit and chocolate buffet. I checked the table and saw that it was fully stacked in a waterfall of color and chocolate browns. But why was JD continuing to stay in this one area when the table was clearly okay?

And then I realized I shouldn't look at the food. I should look higher.

The waiter assigned to the area was tall, extremely good-looking (more than likely an actor) and carried a nice round bubble butt that protruded from his black waiter pants.

Hmmmm...and JD is telling me he's straight? My gaydar was on red alert and as I watched the two men casually glance at each other, suddenly I felt...well...jealous.

I stepped forward.

"Hey," I said to this beautiful waiter, his crystal clear blue eyes meandering back from JD across the floor. "Is everything all right here?"

"Yeah, just fine. When do I get my dinner break?" He was definitely an actor. Cocky, probably wanting to check his machine to see if his agent called.

"About another half hour," I counted, his disappointment obvious, when suddenly a beautiful smile spread across his face and I heard footsteps behind me.

JD patted me on the back. "Everything going okay, Drew?" he asked. I wanted to ask him the same thing.

"Just fine. Good party."

"Yes, it is."

"Have you met Kemo?" said JD, motioning to the waiter. We exchanged hellos with first names, smiling politely.

"Kemo," I said. "Interesting name."

"Hawaiian. I'm from Maui." Well, he didn't look like a native but he was blonde, buff, and beautiful. And obviously JD was smitten-- his stare lingering a tad too long on the this young beauty.

I wasn't sure what to do until it boiled up inside me and I could contain it no more. "JD, could I talk to you for a minute?"

He looked at me, puzzled, following me away from Kemo and behind a refrigerator truck.

I looked at him, my heart racing, as the reflecting lights from the amusement rides threw colors across his beautiful eyes.

Damn it! Why was I so attracted to this supposedly straight man? And then, overcome with emotion-- or need-- I leaned over and kissed him.

But this time our lips stayed-- for what seemed like an eternity-- until suddenly I once again felt his palms push my chest away.

"DREW!" he exclaimed, "What's the matter with you?! I told you, I'm straight."

But this time I didn't back off-- I kept my eyes right on him. "I...don't...believe you." He stared me down, the anger rising in his face.

"All right. You want to know the truth?" he shouted. At last, redemption I thought. I hoped. He continued, "I'm comfortable with gay men-- I like gay men. And in this business, Christ, you have to be gay friendly. But I'm straight. I told you, Drew. The truth is, my father was gay. Died two years ago of AIDS. Are you happy?"

He stormed away and I realized that I was right-- there was a secret. I felt like crap because once again I tried to kiss the man who had been so generous to me.

I knew his secret. And suddenly, I wish I didn't.