Mark is a man on the horns of a dilemma. He's in the midst of a five-year affair with a married man and he wants out ... but isn’t sure he can give up his lover.<br><br>Austin, who lives in the apartment building across the street from Mark, has his own problems. Two years earlier, the man he loved died in a horrible auto accident. Austin is still trying to come to terms with seeing it happen, and dealing with the aftermath.<br><br>After watching Mark from his balcony, making up stories about what he sees, Austin decides to meet him. Will the meeting help the two come to grips with their problems? And if it does, can they move on to something more than possible friendship?

The Man on the Balcony

With a sigh, praying this was the last time he’d have to see or hear from Todd again, Mark went into the kitchen to fix something to eat.


Austin had barely stepped onto his balcony when he saw Todd coming out of Mark’s building. From the expression on the man’s face, he was not happy. Let’s hope it means Mark told him to get lost—again—and that he believes it this time.


He glanced over at Mark’s window in time to see him move out of view when Todd looked up. Seconds later, Mark reappeared, his attention obviously focused on his ex-lover. Then he disappeared again. If asked, which no one would, Austin had to admit he was hurt that Mark hadn’t looked his way.


My fault, though. I haven’t given him any reason to. After the night he came to dinner…He went back inside, collapsing on the sofa. All he wanted to do is help, and I pushed him away as hard and fast as I could.


Chapter 18