Jonathan Banks and Peter Giles have worked together for five years, business partners in a planning firm that bears both their names. From the moment Jonathan was hired, the attraction between the two men was instantaneous and mutual, but he was dating someone else at the time and turned down Peter’s advances.<br><br>Now Jonathan’s boyfriend is out of the picture, and he’d love nothing more than for Peter to ask him out again, but he knows his partner all too well. Peter doesn’t take rejection easily. He likes flirting with Jonathan, sure, but doesn’t want to take the chance of getting turned down a second time. He's satisfied with the way their friendship is, and fears anything more intimate might ruin what they already have.<br><br>But everything both men have planned and worked for together is threatened on a cold, wintry evening when Peter’s car won’t start and Jonathan has to give him a lift home. Can the two friends move past their own fears and trepidations, and begin to build a future together as partners outside the office?

Not According to Plan

I wasn’t available then,Jonathan thought, with a quick glance at his friend. The shadows threw Pete’s features into profile, hiding his handsomeness, enhancing it. I am now. You’d get a completely different answer if you asked again.


But Pete wouldn’t, and Jonathan wasn’t about to embarrass himself by coming onto his friend when he knew there was a very good chance that, this time, he’dbe the one shot down instead.


RVA Ale House was a microbrewery downtown in the Canal District, off the James River. Parking was at a premium, even on a cold, dark January evening when the few people Jonathan saw on the sidewalks and cobbled streets were huddled in heavy coats and scarfs, hurrying to get out of the weather. Luckily Jonathan managed to squeeze into a tight spot on the street not far from the pub, hugging the curb to get the spot just as a taxi pulled away.


“Practically at the door,” he said with a grin. “Is that service, or what?”


Pete laughed. “I should let you drive me everywhere.”


Chapter 5