Any romance where one partner is hesitant to admit there is the possibility of a relationship is tough. Now imagine a potential romance with two hesitant parties, and you have the story of Kai and Joe. Neither of them think they stand a chance (if for very different reasons), both of them have crushed on the other for years, and it takes Joe having an accident and needing to take “the good” pain pills for them to come close enough to figure out they may not be the only man affected by the other.

Joe is proud, and independent, and thinks he’s more than a little over the hill at almost fifty. He has also lost his wife four years ago, and doesn’t seem to have recovered. Even though he is attracted to his cute neighbor, Kai, and even though he as been bisexual all his life, he is too shy and unused to the dating game to consider doing something about it. Without the accident that renders him practically helpless with a broken arm, I don’t think anything would have ever come from the shy glances he exchanges with Kai.

Kai, on the other hand, is extremely attracted to the “silver fox” next door, but believes the man is straight. Since Kai has a history of falling for straight men and getting his heart broken, he is reluctant to let himself think about Joe, never mind act on his feelings. But when the stubborn man finally accepts the fact he needs help and Kai happily supplies it, the opening is too attractive to resist.

If you like stories about men who believe they aren’t interesting enough for the man they admire, if you enjoy reading about two wounded men finding solace in each other’s presence and then arms, and if you’re looking for a sweet story full of pride and subtle romance, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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