Stevie Florette

Renny Dominguez knows his type: handsome, older, wealthy—and completely bad for him. He’s sworn off mistakes he can’t afford… right up until a lcal history class pairs him with Ben Carmichael, Crossbridge’s rising volleyball star with captain energy and a future people keep trying to map for him.

The assignment is simple: to collect the stories of local seniors in advance of the city bicentennial. The story they choose isn’t—it takes them down alleys that neither is prepared for. Interviews at Ink & Foam, seniors at the Pride Center, a council calendar that moves like wet cement—Renny and Ben learn fast that change takes more than a good edit. It takes showing up, together, when the room gets loud.

But attention cuts both ways. Conference reps and cameras circle Ben. Renny’s past—with “generous” men and hard choices—doesn’t stay politely off-screen. When trust wobbles and the future tugs in opposite directions, collaboration has to mean more than a grade.

Smart banter, real stakes, found family, and heat that earns its way—Collaboration continues the Men of Crossbridge series with a romance about choosing each other while you’re choosing the life you want.