Chris Hart owns the only grocery shop in Nortown, but he isn't exactly overrun by customers. Some days he wonders why he bothers to open the doors at all. Spending his days smiling at the few people trickling in and his nights alone in bed isn't the most interesting life a man could lead. But when Chris suddenly gets the excitement he's been craving, it may be more than he bargained for.<br><br>Gabriel Miller loves his life. He's close to his sister, has a job he adores and is the proud owner of one and a half cats. But all of it is taken away when he witnesses a murder. To keep him safe, the police place him in Nortown, of all possible locations.<br><br>Chris can't believe they're letting someone live in his gran's old cabin in the middle of the winter. It's too cold. When the poor man shows up in his shop looking to buy clothes, Chris's heart melts, despite the freezing temperature. Gabriel notices the way the shopkeeper looks at him, but it can't be right. No one looks at a heavyset man with heat in their eyes. Do they?

Pet Delivery

“That’s Tristan’s partner. I’m so glad I’m not in his shoes.” Andre still chuckled as he held the car door open for Chris.


“Why?” Gabriel watched the man curiously. Tristan’s partner?So, there was a gay couple in Nortown. Simply knowing that made the butterflies flap their wings again.


If there was one, then maybe there could be two?  15: Doctors and Sighs


Chris didn’t know how they got to Northfield. He wasn’t unaware, but the entire trip was foggy, and he thought he’d been talking to Andre…a lot, but he couldn’t remember. Maybe he’d dreamt it.


The doors to the waiting room swished open, and the antiseptic smell increased his nausea. Gabe grabbed his hand, but it took a moment for Chris to realise he had. He was so tired he could’ve fallen asleep while standing up. Slumping down on the closest chair, he shut his eyes. The ringing in his ears refused to go away.


The cotton in his brain should’ve muted the ringing, but it didn’t.


Chapter 30