When State Trooper Travis Kinslow is injured right before Thanksgiving, the only positive is that for once he won't be working during the holidays. Since he has no family, Travis was absorbed into his best friend Joe's, and he considers them as good as his own. Everyone except Joe's brother Noah. Travis has been in love with the younger man for much of his life, but he's always kept his distance.<br><br>As an ER nurse, Noah is a caretaker by nature. When his brother's best friend is hurt, he's happy to help Travis while he heals. He's only ever allowed himself to think of Travis as the next best thing to an older brother, but by the light of the Christmas tree, Noah finally sees Travis's true feelings. And in that moment, everything changes.<br><br>When faced with opposition and a Christmas nothing like they imagined, will their hopes for the future be enough to carry them through?

His Needs

I realized I’d been staring at the screen for a good few minutes, just looking at his text. I groaned and then started laughing at myself as I typed back a reply.


Well rested *wink* see you in a couple hours?


The reminder set off a mix of anticipation and nerves in my gut. We were having our first date. Granted, it was lunch and Christmas shopping at the mall, and it was something we might have done anyway. But calling it a date, knowing there was an intent behind it instead of only picking out presents, gave the afternoon a whole different feel. My emotions were kind of a mess because I didn’t know what to feel. I tried to focus on the excitement, but it wasn’t easy.


Yep, I responded. And then, even though I felt silly, I added, Can’t wait.


I got the kiss face emoji in response and I couldn’t stop grinning.


Chapter 22