James Chan is infatuated with Joshua Wallace. However, he’s eight years older than Joshua, and his catering business has a standing contract with the company the other man works for. Joshua also doesn’t seem to reciprocate his feelings. The future of their professional relationship will be uncertain if he’s rejected.<br><br>Fortunately, he isn’t. They start slow and everything is fine initially, but cultural differences between them become obvious when James invites Joshua to his father’s seventieth birthday party, which is an important milestone in the Chinese culture.<br><br>Initially Joshua is excited about the gifts he’s preparing for James’s father, but things become awkward when he learns about the negative light in which his gifts may be perceived. Can they smooth things out? Or will their differences be too much in the end?

Destined

“Dad, isn’t your birthday coming up next week?”


Thomas smiled at James. “Yes. Don’t plan anything extravagant.”


“But you’ll be turning seventy years old.”


“It doesn’t matter. Keep it simple.”


“Nope. I’ll talk to Jeremiah and Jonah later. We will arrange everything.”


“Hush, old man,” Lydia interrupted. “Let your sons handle everything. They love you enough to plan and celebrate your birthday. Just be grateful.”


Thomas frowned. “I am, but there’s no need to make a big deal out of it.”


“Seventy is an important milestone, Dad,” James insisted while opening the door for his parents. “Don’t worry about a thing. You simply have to come to the party and enjoy yourself.”


Thomas grinned. “Fine. I’ll be waiting for it then.”


Chapter 4