The Build-a-Boyfriend Project - Mason Deaver
Eli Francis feels trapped in his life—stuck in a dead-end assistant job at an online magazine, overshadowed by a dismissive boss and working alongside his successful ex. Pressured by friends to move on, he agrees to a disastrous blind date with Peter Park, an awkward but earnest stranger. When Eli’s boss proposes turning the failed date into an article by having Eli coach Peter through a series of mock dates, Eli secretly reframes the project, using the time to interview Peter about his experiences growing up queer in the South in hopes of writing a more meaningful piece and earning a promotion. As their staged dates continue, Eli and Peter grow genuinely close, forcing Eli to confront his fears about his career, honesty, and love as the line between performance and real connection
Description
Eli Francis feels trapped in his life—stuck in a dead-end assistant job at an online magazine, overshadowed by a dismissive boss and working alongside his successful ex. Pressured by friends to move on, he agrees to a disastrous blind date with Peter Park, an awkward but earnest stranger. When Eli’s boss proposes turning the failed date into an article by having Eli coach Peter through a series of mock dates, Eli secretly reframes the project, using the time to interview Peter about his experiences growing up queer in the South in hopes of writing a more meaningful piece and earning a promotion. As their staged dates continue, Eli and Peter grow genuinely close, forcing Eli to confront his fears about his career, honesty, and love as the line between performance and real connection
