With no job and no boyfriend, Justin sees no reason to make a big deal out of Christmas this year, so he plunks down his severance pay on a cottage in the Caribbean and jets away for some Me Time. Not that he'd mind a little Us Time, you understand, but the handsome young islanders of his acquaintance are all friendly, fun, and straight as they come. He sure didn't leave San Diego looking for any middle-aged American gym jock, but when one washes up at his favorite local watering hole, Justin discovers there are worse ways to dance the night away. Too bad the sexy stranger is on a cruise and the next port is calling.<br><br>When he spies the ship still in port while he tends to his Christmas Eve hangover, Justin knows he must manage his expectations. Just because the ship's still here doesn't mean the guy will come ashore, and so what if they do cross paths again? Did they really connect as Justin thinks he remembers, or is that just the beer filling in the blanks? He invents an errand, throws on some clothes, and heads for the dock, figuring there's one way to find out.

Isle Be Home for Christmas

Milton and Carlotta’s mom is coming off the dance floor as we’re coming in the door, and she shuffles over in her sensible shoes to bid us welcome. We thank her for including us, and Cole offers her the bouquet. Quite by chance, it looks as if it could easily have been the very arrangement of flowers that inspired the artist to design the high-necked blouse she is wearing, and much is made of this delightful coincidence as she and her sister go off in search of a vase.


“We also have wine,” I tell Milton.


Chapter 13