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

“You mean, he didn’t want to play anything,” Rachel corrected her. “Look at this mess. You all need to clean up. It’s late and there’s school tomorrow.”


“Come on, Pip,” Rain said, against the sound of the girls whining behind him, “let’s go home.” He stuck his hands under Pip’s arms and pulled him out. Pip didn’t argue or protest. He even allowed Rain to take the book from him. “Go collect your figurines. How many did you bring?”


Pip walked out of the room. “Nineteen,” he said.


Rachel watched him leave. “What happens if he doesn’t bring home the nineteen?”


“He’ll be very anxious about it. So, we count them before leaving anywhere. They’re animal figurines he’s had for a long time. Farm animals. He gets attached to things.”


Rachel touched his arm. “I shouldn’t have brought up your ex or Pip’s conception.”


Chapter 54