Hollis is done with hanging around the bar on Valentine’s Day. He’s going to stay in -- alone -- and watch some movies. At least, that’s the plan. But his coworker’s half-brother’s cousin, better known as Ryan, is new in town. And although the lunch they shared was more levels of awkward than a house of cards, fate must want them to become friends, because on his way home after picking up his Valentine’s Day dinner, Hollis runs into Ryan again. The nice thing to do is to invite him up for dinner -- who wants to be alone in a new city on Valentine’s Day, right? The night leads to a dinner offer in return, a night bowling, a dinner party. When Ryan is relaxed, he’s a lot of fun, but he’s also a lot of work, facing off panic and anxiety in waves. But that isn’t a problem, because friends are there for each other. And they are, after all, friends. Just friends. Right?

Holding Hands

“Oh, that’s very nice, but I don’t want to intrude.”


“You won’t be,” Hollis repeated. “Just me and Indiana Jones at home tonight.”


“If you’re sure.” Ryan sounded almost hopeful.


“Okay.” The whisper was nearly lost on the wind, but it was joined by a pleased smile and timid eyes. “Thank you.”


“My pleasure,” Hollis said. He was looking forward to spending the evening with someone, even if it was a strange kind of new friend and all they did was eat Chinese food and watch the same movies he was going to watch anyway.


Chapter 5