English professor Gavin Dozier hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love. When his last boyfriend cheated on him, he was driven to experiment with women. Sex with Marian, though, had its own dangers, and before he knew it, he was a father. Now estranged, the only thing Gavin and Marian have in common is their daughter Evie, a precocious seven-year-old who stays with Gavin every other weekend. While out with her daddy, Evie meets the heavily-tattooed Brody Phelps, a sketch artist with serious talent who still dresses like a brooding punk rocker, even though he’s in his thirties. Brody is instantly attracted to the sexy college professor, but knows Gavin is out of his league -- the man has a kid, which probably means he isn’t gay, and besides, Brody never even graduated from high school. Guys like Gavin don’t go for guys like him. But when Evie leaves Gavin’s cell phone behind, Brody has the perfect excuse to meet up with them again. To his surprise they hit it off, and when he asks Gavin out, the professor accepts. Even though Evie brought them together, will her demanding personality pull them apart? Is Gavin ready to trust his heart to someone else again? Can Brody overcome his own fears of inadequacy and let Gavin in? And what will Marian have to say when the father of her child starts dating again?

Never Met a Stranger

It being Saturday, he doesn’t think there’s much of a chance that Gavin’s at work. He’d mentioned taking Evie to a movie, but the college is close by, and Brody thinks there’s no harm in calling. Digging his own dumb phone out of his back pocket, he dials the work number on Gavin’s contact and listens to it ring in his ear. After four rings, the call goes to voicemail. Yep, it’s Gavin’s voice, all right, melting into Brody. “This is Professor Dozier in the English Department. My office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from one to four…”


Brody hangs up before the message finishes. He doesn’t want to wait until Monday to return the phone—or see Gavin again. Maybe there’s another number he can call instead?


Chapter 15