I'm looking for an lgbtq novel about a bisexual CEO whose name is Nathan /Nathaniel. It's a family business of a popular chain or restaurant franchise that he inherits after his father decides to retire. They do not have a great relationship because of his high expectations, homophobia, rough words and conservative beliefs. Nathan decides to do a CEO undercover thing and pretend he's a new hire at one of restaurant locations and that's where he meets ?/Dean. They develop a competition to see who can get the most tips by the end of the night and a spark is created with some flirty banter. They meet again when ?/Dean submits his artwork in the company's illustrator competition and he wins on skill. They see each other again in person at the office to much surprise.
?/Dean has a coercive, aggressive & abusive ex-boyfriend, and another subplot develops there on ?/Dean learning more self-confidence in the context of ending this unhealthy relationship.
Nathan's younger brother is Sebastian, who always feels like he lives in the shadow of his brother in the eyes of his dad and in his mind, Nathan as well. Sebastian is also secretly gay and kind of in love with his childhood friend / Nathan's personal assistant, a gay sub plot.
Nathan is married to a woman named Sarah. They are childhood friends and were once in love but the flame has fizzled out with all the emphasis on the family business, producing kids, and general pressure from their parents to be polished as a wealthy, socialite family. They pretend they are in love in front of their parents but really they just have each other's back as friends. They get divorced on good terms though odd circumstances.
This novel engages with heavy topic like internalized and externalized homophobia, physical & sexual abuse, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Please help me find this novel! I read it a few years ago and was impressed by the writing flow, the character development, the romance!!!, and just how these characters hold each other through some intense situations.
