When the first note shows up at the restaurant where he works -- when he isn't designing costumes for a local theater -- Jim Foster laughs it off. When the notes keep coming, he doesn't find the fact that he might have a secret admirer quite so amusing. Alan North, a lonely, bookish customer at the restaurant, is too shy to even think of talking to Jim -- as much as he wants to. Then the killings begin. Two of Jim's friends are murdered in what appear to be muggings. However, the detective in charge of the cases believes they're more than that, and that Jim is either the killer ... or being stalked by one. When Jim and Alan finally connect, can they help find and stop the stalker, or will Alan end up dead before their budding relationship can become more than friendship?

His Secret Admirer

Jim glanced back, still smiling. “You’re welcome.”


Alan ate slowly, because his stomach was tied up in knots from having finally talked to Jim, and been noticed by him as a person. Not the guy who bumped into him at the movies, although he doesn’t seem to remember that. Or the lonesome guy, as he called me, who he saw at Laterza’s. And he called me cute. Of course he was probably just trying to be nice, but he did.


His pulse raced, again, when Jim came by to ask if his meal was all right.


“It’s perfect,” Alan replied, ducking his head.


“You don’t have to be shy around me,” Jim said. “I promise I’m just your average Joe. Not some—” he chuckled, “—conceited movie star.”


“No, you’re not. I mean conceited. Or a movie star, I don’t think.”


Jim laughed, saying, “Not even close,” before walking away.


Chapter 16