Andy Howard dropped out of college to get away from his abusive father. When his longtime boyfriend reveals similar tendencies, Andy refuses to endure another moment of it, running away with nothing more than the cash in his pockets. He makes it to Virginia, where he's taken in by Scooter Stahl, a restaurant owner looking for an extra hand who's willing to be paid cash under the table.<br><br>Scooter's been struggling for years: to keep the beachside restaurant he inherited from his parents above water (both financially and literally); to live down the fact that he's gay in a small southern town; to get over the man who's owned his heart since he was fourteen. But he's never had to struggle as hard as he is now, to keep his hands off Andy.

Nights in Sandbridge

“Not like Pierce’s Pitt,” Kat said. “Doumar’s is good. Pierce’s is better. Factor of ten. Almost worth the hour and a half drive.” She tapped her fingers against her lips. “Maybe he just…” She squinted up at Andy, head cocked to one side. Her gaze went from Andy’s bedhead, down his neck and then…”Oh.”


Andy twitched, but managed not to reach for his neck to check for hickies.


Jason shrugged. “Gonna get started. Probably have a good crowd today, the weather’s not even going toget up to ninety. It’ll be nice, especially porch seating.” He nudged Kat, who flapped her hand at him, and then he disappeared into the restaurant.


Andy sighed as soon as the door closed. “Let’s have it.”


“Did you sleep last night, at all?” Kat climbed up the stairs, coming up to lean on the rail next to him. “I can make you another coffee.”


“I slept,” Andy said. It was stupid, how hard he had to work to keep the blush off his face. “It’s not what you think.”


Chapter 54