Jonah Gentry knows his family is a lot, so, it’s been three years since he visited them back in Atlanta. As hesitant as he might be to spend another holiday with them, Jonah finds his reluctance is quickly assuaged when he meets the gorgeous man sitting next to him on the plane. After an amazing night together, Jonah realizes he isn’t sure he’s up for competing with the other man who has a place in this man’s heart, Jesus.
Paul Carrington left Alabama years ago. Twenty years later, he’s built a life for himself with a thriving business, and a nice house he’s hoping to fill with just the right guy. When he meets a man on a plane ride back from Portland, he wonders if maybe Jonah might be the one. Then Jonah leaves him standing in his bathrobe in the middle of the street chasing after his cab.
When Paul and Jonah find themselves next to each other at Jonah’s mother’s Christmas dinner, sparks fly. Can Jonah work through his family and religious issues enough to work it out with the guy with the kind eyes? Can Paul forgive the man who left him without saying goodbye? Or is it just another holiday down the tubes?
“Yeah, this house was a leap of faith. Not financially, I should have it paid off by the end of next year. What I worry about is the idea of filling it.”
“You want to fill it?” Jonah asked. “With people?”
“With the right people.”
“What do you mean? Like a bunch of roommates?”
“I mean, like a family. The right guy. Maybe some kids. Maybe some in-laws dropping by.”
Jonah liked the idea of this man wanting someone else in the house. He also liked the idea of kids. Of course no sane man would like his family. “You say that now, but let me tell you, if you ended up with in-laws like my family, you would run screaming.”
Paul looked at him intently. “If I were with someone like you, I can’t picture myself running away.”
They ate for a moment in the comfortable silence that Jonah was starting to enjoy around this man. Finally, Jonah spoke.
“So the manger,” Jonah said. “I get the lights, they’re festive and all, but the manger?”
“What about the manger?” Paul asked.
“Well, it just ...” Jonah began, unsure of how to go on.
“Perhaps this will help loosen your tongue,” Paul said, refilling Jonah’s now empty wine glass.
“Perhaps,” Jonah said, taking a large gulp from the glass. “And if you finish yours, that will help me also.”
“Well, I am always glad to help,” Paul said, finishing the drop left in his glass, and refilling it. “Now are you prepared to tell me what you don’t understand about my manger?”
“Okay, I guess what I don’t understand is ...” Jonah began.
“Wait,” Paul said. “Are you of a different faith? Are you just unfamiliar with the story? Do you want me to just tell you the story so you can understand the whole manger thing?”
“No, I get it. I mean, I know the story. Believe me that is one story I don’t need to hear again.”
“It’s a good story,” Paul said.
“Yes. I heard it a million times growing up,” Jonah said, a sharpness in his voice that he didn’t hear.
“So what do you not understand?” Paul asked. “Wait, wait before you answer that question. If we are going to get deep, let’s get a little drunk. Finish that glass, and I’ll finish mine.”
“I feel like I’m in college again,” Jonah said, gulping his wine.
“Well, since I didn’t get to go,” Paul said, raising his glass to his lips. “You need to relive it with me.”
Paul refilled their empty glasses, and then moved from the chair across from Jonah to the one next to him. As he sat down, he noticed that one of his knees was touching Jonah’s upper thigh. He made no motion to move it, but simply turned to Jonah and asked, “Okay, where were we?”
“I think I was ...” Jonah said, suddenly distracted by the way the light hit Paul’s hair. “I think I was going to tell you about something.”
“You were going to tell me about my manger,” Paul said, moving in a little closer to Jonah. “About how you don’t understand it.”
“No, it’s not that I don’t understand it,” Jonah said, turning toward Paul. “It’s just that it kind of goes against ...”
“Goes against what?” Paul asked, leaning in toward Jonah. “What does it go against?”
“Well, it just seems that it goes against ...” Jonah began, moving toward Paul.
“Against what?” Paul said, moving closer.
“Against this,” Jonah said, grabbing Paul and kissing him.
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