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

“I liked the kiss! Okay!” Ryan propped his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands. “I just…”


Ryan groaned. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”


“Well, yeah.” He sat in the other seat. “I’m not very good at reading minds.”


When Ryan spoke, his words were muffled. “I was just expecting you to never return my feelings, which meant they were safe.”


Safe?“Isn’t it safer to know that I feel the same way?” Wasn’t it better to know rather than guessing and hoping and trying to interpret every little touch? Rather than yearning and finding every excuse to spend time together?


“No. No, it’s really not.” Ryan sounded defeated again, like he had when Hollis commented on his shaking.


Taking the chance, Hollis touched Ryan’s elbow, slid his hand up to his shoulder, and squeezed. “Why?”


Chapter 18