Finding love isn’t easy, and holding onto it can be even harder. In this anthology, harsh words and miscommunication between men aren’t helpful, and jealous lovers with well-meaning best friends always make things worse, except when they don’t. It could be a desperate cowboy seeking a home or a dorky associate with questionable fashion sense and self-esteem; a manager who sticks to his principles despite ridicule, or a cheating fiancé and a broken wedding. Can a jaded grocery store worker find satisfaction, or a bouncer forgive the bassist who tricked him into sex? Perhaps it’s the things we do that make our wishes and demands come true. Contains the stories: A Cowboy For Keeps: Slim Montagne stumbles over a bruised cowboy on his way out of town. Daniel "Danny" Crane is a world-weary drifter who has stopped believing in humanity. When Slim offers Danny a place to stay, he figures there’s nothing left to lose. Back at the ranch, Slim introduces Dan...hey end up arguing constantly at work, despite the sexual tension between them. Georgie decides it’s time for a change. Will Ry tag along for the ride? Romancing the Bouncer: Ben Pachowski is a bouncer at Throwbacks. Monty Mabuse, bass player for a popular band that performs there, wants Ben, but he won’t do anything but flirt. Monty plays dirty to get in Ben’s pants, and it backfires. Having alienated Ben, Monty has to figure out how to make amends. He has his work cut out for him, but a little romance could go a long way. The Best Man for Me: Royce Lummis' fiancé is a no-show at the rehearsal; worst of all, he sees him kissing another man. Heartbroken, Royce accepts the offer of a couch from Rodney Fanning—his best man and ex-boyfriend. Though they have history between them, Rodney is a good friend and Royce's heart slowly heals. It's almost too late when Royce finally realizes that Rodney is the best man for him. Will he get his man?

The Best of J.D. Walker Box Set

As I had given the speech at the ceremony—it had taken me an hour and lots of breathing exercises to get over my stage fright—I’d looked out over the crowd of my peers, most of whom were bored stiff and couldn’t wait for the day to be over so they could get on with their oh-so-important lives. No one from my family had come to see me walk the stage, though I’d invited them.


It hurt, but I pushed it down and finished my ten-minute spiel, ignored the polite applause from the crowd, and sat behind the podium. My only real friends during that time had been my college professors, most of whom, I thought, felt sorry for me. Whatever.


After surviving my education years, I moved to the big city and into a tiny apartment, thinking I would finally have the freedom to come into my own, live as I wanted, and find my joy. I was Mary Tyler Moore, bitches! Or Ally McBeal’s dancing baby.


Well, that joie de vivrefizzled out quickly.


Chapter 66