Tom Foster has his life planned out, and he's systematically pursuing his goals. At twenty-two, he's been organist and choirmaster at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for three years, he's working on his doctoral thesis, and he's beginning a secondary career performing in concert. There is no room in his schedule for romance ... until Noah Webster, a gorgeous green-eyed blond, walks into the church one evening to audition for the choir.<br><br>What starts as an arrangement of convenience -- Tom's usual page turner is unavailable, and Noah agrees to do the job-soon turns into a fast friendship. Then Noah, who is saddled with an obnoxious roommate, rents the spare bedroom in Tom's house, and ultimately the two men become lovers and partners in life.<br><br>But before they can ride off into the sunset together, they must face one major obstacle: Noah's violent, homophobic Southern Baptist father.

Love Turns the Page

Bobby left for Gainesville on Christmas Eve, a couple of hours before they had to leave for church. Christmas morning Tom and Noah got up very early, as usual, and exchanged gifts. Tom had recently purchased a BlackBerry and was making good use of having his schedule always at his fingertips. Noah had been so taken with it that Tom had gotten him one for Christmas, and Noah had given him several CDs that he’d long wanted.


They had a quick breakfast and headed to Gainesville, where Tom dropped Noah off at the Walkers. Then he drove on to Orlando. He spent the night there with his parents and returned to Gainesville to pick up Noah the next afternoon. He rang the Walkers’ doorbell around four, and Noah came to the door. When he saw that it was Tom, he closed the door and threw himself at Tom, giving him a fierce hug and a sloppy kiss.


“God,” Noah said, “I’ve missed you.”


“Me too, babe,” Tom said. “We’ll be home and alone soon enough.”


Chapter 91