Patrick Holt is lonely. A bad breakup with his boyfriend has left the forty-year-old ophthalmologist reluctant to get involved with another man. When his neighbor sets him up with her brother-in-law Eric, Patrick prepares himself for disappointment. But Patrick quickly finds himself surprised and charmed by Eric, and Eric, who’s had relationship problems of his own in the past, falls hard and fast for Patrick.<br><br>On the outside, Eric seems like a great guy: young and attractive with a promising job as an assistant manager at a Chicago hotel. But Eric has a dark side he and his family are hiding from Patrick. When the truth is finally revealed and Eric’s secrets are exposed, will Patrick be willing to go the distance with Eric? Or will he run as fast as he can from the new man in his life?

Baggage

Eric and I never got the chance to continue our talk that afternoon. We were constantly bombarded by other family members and guests, and then a pi?ata was brought out for the kids. Gary designated Eric as the official pi?ata hanger, claiming he was young and nimble enough for the job. He reluctantly agreed to do his brother’s “dirty work.” I watched with admiration and a little envy as he quickly climbed the huge elm tree in the yard and secured the colorful papier m?ché donkey to one of its low-hanging branches. When the job was done, I was waiting for Eric at the bottom of the tree.


“Nice work,” I told him as he jumped to the ground.


“Thank you,” he said with a smile. “I have a whole host of hidden talents.”


Chapter 5