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

“Gotcha. And you?” Jake turned to Ryan.


“Um, the double bacon cheeseburger? And a side of sweet potato fries?”


Jake gave his winningest smile and left to put in their orders. Ryan slid the menu across the bar, leaning forward to drop it into its slot. Hollis never noticed how lanky Ryan was, and how tall. Even standing, he came across as short. But he’d barely had to stretch to return the menus, while Hollis had needed to stand. Long arms and legs, now that Hollis was looking, both tucked in close, making him appear smaller.


A guy slid between them with an “Excuse me,” grabbed a handful of menus, and smiled warmly at him before melting away into the crowd. Hollis glanced over his shoulder, tracking the guy’s progress with a spark of the hope that vanished as the cutie slid comfortably close to another man, his face lighting up instantly. Figured.


Chapter 7