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

Pete rolled his eyes. “Why not? I would. Night, Jon.” Quickly he added, “Athan. See you tomorrow.”


Before he could close the door, Jonathan hollered, “Maybe sleep in a little, Pete! You’re going to feel like shit tomorrow.”


“I feel like shit now!” Pete yelled back.


Then the door shut and Jonathan watched as Peter stepped into the streetlight. For one moment his hair looked like a halo around him, and Jonathan almost rolled down the window to call out something…what, though? What could he say to make Peter change his mind? He didn’t know, and the moment passed when Peter moved out of the light and into the shadows that clung to the front porch of the townhouse.


And with that, he was gone. Jonathan was alone, in a car once again cold and small and empty.


To no one in particular, he muttered, “I should’ve said something.”


Chapter 9