Jesse’s Smile by Angelique Jurd

Jesse Peterson is 26 and loves his job in a pet store. He loves the cats, the dogs, and Sniffles the rabbit. What he doesn’t love is the way people assume he’s retarded. That he can’t look after himself, that he’s isn’t a man.

So, when the store’s newest customer, buying supplies for his kitten, asks him out, Jesse has trouble understanding why. Jesse knows he’s not stupid, but nobody else seems to know that. They just see a good looking young man whose smile seems to be the brightest thing about him.

Drew Oliver isn’t other people. A high school teacher with a history of bad relationship choices, Drew is patient, loving, and doesn’t care that Jesse is different. He just cares about being able to make him smile as often as he can.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about the differences between Drew and Jesse, few notice the things they share. Can their relationship survive the scrutiny and judgement passed by everyone around them? And when one of Drew’s bad choices shows up, will love be enough to help them survive the aftermath?