Twenty-five-year-old TV producer Jared Greenfield loves his big city life -- job, friends, and shopping -- but even with all the fun of big city life, he feels a longing for something, or someone, more. Then, on the very first night of Hanukkah, he spots a handsome, sweaty basketball player at the Jewish Community Center.<br><br>Tall, dark, and Orthodox, the young and athletic Shai Goodhart strikes up an easy friendship with Jared, only to discover Jared has very little appreciation for his own Jewish heritage and religion. Determined to enlighten this “Bad Jew,” Shai invites him over for a family Hanukkah celebration.<br><br>Then Jared discovers Shai’s deepest secret and the biggest threat to his future. Over the eight days of Hanukkah, deep emotions pull them closer and closer together. Can they ever reach across the divide of their shared culture and fall in love?

Hanukkah Gifts

He’s torturing me, thought Jared. If I stare at his body any longer, I’m going to embarrass myself. And if I stay in this steam much longer, I’m going to pass out. They’ll find me dead, on the floor, with a huge erection.


“So,” began Shai. “Here we are.” He spread his legs ever so slightly, so that the towel dropped even lower on his waist. He raised his knees, as if stretching, then dropped them again, leaving most of his body exposed, except for a swaddle of towel over his crotch.


“Are you trying to seduce me?” whispered Jared into Shai’s ear. “Because it’s working.”


Shai cocked open his right eye and smiled. “Nah, not a bit. I’m just relaxing, dude.”


“Well, it’s very hard for me to relax when I’m sitting next to you naked,” said Jared, still worried somebody would walk in. “I’m trying to understand your motive here, Mr. Orthodox.”


“No motive. I’m just trying to show you how much I appreciate you coming to my game. Thank you.”


Chapter 16