Tristan used to be top salesman at his firm, but when his friends suffered a tragedy, he stepped in to support them. Their ordeal over, Tristan turned to partying to ease his new solitude. Now his job is at risk and he stands to lose his home. Rain spent years putting up with his husband Milo's bad behavior before moving out. Single again and insecure, Rain dreams of creating a marionette show to celebrate kids on the autism spectrum in honor of his son. When Rain meets his neighbor Tristan, he's drawn to Tristan's sex-appeal and protective nature. But Milo keeps pulling on Rain's strings and messing with his head. Tristan loves everything about Rain, including the strange sandwiches, mismatched socks, crazy marionettes, glitter makeup, and messy apartment. And Rain wants to give Tristan everything, but can he cut lose from Milo's hold?

A Touch of Rain

On the bike path, amongst the trees, Tristan looked at him and slowly raised a hand, signaling for Rain to be still and quiet.


Pip was riding a bright orange bike up and down the path, with the most serious expression Rain had ever seen on his son’s face.


Across the path, Tristan was apparently speaking reassuring words to him. Smiling, Tristan stood a good distance from Pip, but obviously ready to intervene.


Then Pip saw Rain and yelped happily. “Look, Daddy! Look!”


“I’m looking,” Rain whispered, the emotion making it hard for him to raise his voice. “Oh, my God.”


Tristan motioned for Rain to join them. But Rain was afraid he’d make too much of a fuss and be too dramatic, so he took a deep breath and ordered himself not to smother Pip with a hug and scream like a maniac. When he thought he was cool enough, he made his way down to the path.


Pip came riding right by him. “It’s easy,” he shouted. “It’s not even scary!”


Chapter 47