Rafael Patino has a great life in Rain Valley. He’s a teacher at the high school, has a great group of friends, and enjoys the occasional baseball game. Other than the sporadic call from his drunken mother, he’s pretty content. He’s also been in love with his best friend Dustin for nearly a decade. Years of keeping those feelings under control are put to the test when they begin a summer project together. Dustin Vance builds furniture for a living, has just earned his pilot’s license, and has an amazing best friend. When he buys a 1976 Cessna Skyhawk, he asks Rafael to help restore it, then travel with him to Wisconsin for the largest aviation convention in the world. As they spend their days working on the plane, they begin to spend their nights together. Will they find love in the clouds, or will they stall out before they even take off?

Love in the Clouds

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing after this?” Dustin asked for the tenth time.


Rafael grinned. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”


Dustin rolled his eyes in good-natured fun and seemed content to let Rafael lead the evening.


When they finally exited the restaurant, Rafael took Dustin’s hand. He opened the truck door for him again.


Dustin kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for dinner.”


Rafael nodded, his throat thick from the way Dustin’s aquamarine eyes said everything still unspoken between them. He swallowed hard over the lump of emotion.


As they made their way down the highway, the sun slowly setting over the horizon, they held hands, stroking skin and squeezing. They remained silent as an old Moody Blues song played on the radio.


Dustin gasped and bounced in his seat when they pulled into the outdoor theatre parking lot. “We’re seeing Jersey Boys?”


Chapter 49