Greg is straight, but makes easy money offering his services to gay men online. He's inexpensive but has a few ground rules: never reveal his real name, never invite a client home, and never, ever, ever agree to more than three appointments with anyone. Ever. RC is handsome, loaded, and lives in a big house in a swanky neighborhood. Greg doesn't understand why such a guy needs to pay for companionship, but RC’s been burned by men who are interested in only his money, and paying someone takes off the pressure of maintaining a relationship. Their first appointment goes well, and they schedule another. But Greg is surprised when RC calls him a few days later just to hang out. Greg doesn’t pal around with his clients; it’s strictly business. But there’s something about the guy that makes him say yes. At dinner, RC introduces himself as Ryan, and Greg breaks his own rule and shares his real name, too. By the end of the evening, the lines between client and friend have begun to blur. Does this count as their second appointment even if they don’t have sex? By the time they meet up again, Greg is half in love with Ryan. Will this next appointment be their last, or will Greg embrace something he didn’t even know he was looking for?

Blurring the Lines

After my shower, I towel dry and pull back on the same clothes I wore earlier. I wander into the kitchen, where Ryan is standing by the stove. He hears me come in and gives me a grin over his shoulder. “Hey, want to stay for dinner?”


I hesitate, and he hurries to add, “It’s okay to say no. You probably already have plans…”


“No, actually, I don’t,” I admit. And, honestly? I don’t want to leave just yet. “Dinner sounds great.”


I expect standard bachelor fare—my idea of eating dinner at home is reheated takeout or cold pizza. My freezer is also stuffed with frozen entrees. If I can’t microwave it, I’m not going to try cooking it.


Chapter 11