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

He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to mine. “So you dolike me.”


“I wasn’t sure. You’re very reserved, Dr. Holt.”


He laughed and kissed me again before pulling away. “As much as I’d like to take this further, unfortunately, I can’t.” He told me he had to be at work later that morning. Working at a hotel often meant working on the weekends, and, although he’d had Saturday off, he was expected to report for duty on Sunday.


We made plans to get together that evening at my house.


“And you’re okay coming back here tonight?” I asked.


“Sure,” Eric said with a shrug. “I mean, I hate that you live next door to Gary, but your house is much nicer than my depressing little studio apartment in the city.”


Chapter 9