After being robbed by a black assailant, white Chicago dentist Mark Cross is hesitant to go out at night, let alone get involved in an interracial relationship, but that’s exactly what happens after he meets Darren Nichols, a black high school teacher and basketball coach. When Mark and Darren are introduced at a party, their attraction to each other is immediate and intense, and they soon begin dating. As their relationship progresses, Mark realizes he loves Darren. But he’s hesitant to ask Darren to move in with him because Darren’s last relationship ended poorly and Darren is scared to get involved with another man so quickly after that experience. Mark also worries he doesn’t live up to Darren’s expectations and fears Darren ultimately longs for a man who isn’t white. And Mark is still haunted by the man who mugged him and harbors fears about black men in general. Despite his worries and insecurities, Mark asks Darren to move in with him and Darren agrees. Though they both bring baggage to their bond, Mark and Darren work hard to build a life together. But when Darren invites over some of the guys he plays basketball with, Mark suspects one of the players, Terrance, is the same man who assaulted him. Mark shares his suspicions with Darren, but Darren isn’t convinced his friend could do something so terrible. Mark is determined to uncover the truth, but will he jeopardize his relationship with Darren in the process?

Pivot

Jay and Brian were at the restaurant when Darren and I got there. Jay looked as good as ever dressed in a black V-neck sweater and black pants while Brian was dressed more conservatively in a gray striped button-down shirt and dark gray pants. Brian’s brown hair was shorter than it had been when I’d first met him and he wore glasses now that, unfortunately, obstructed the view of his lovely blue eyes. He and Jay made a handsome couple and seeing them together made me happy, but also a little envious. They’d been through so much together as a couple and kept finding their way back to each other in spite of the turmoil in their lives. That showed real commitment. Darren and I had been together for nearly a year and I worried constantly we wouldn’t make it for the long haul


“Mark,” Jay said, pulling me into his arms and kissing my cheek.


God, he smelled good, like soap and shampoo. Instinctively, I reached and smoothed his ruffled blond hair. He grinned at me.


Chapter 29