Smitten — R.W. Clinger

Feeling his age and somewhat blue about his singlehood and dull life as a finance advisor, Jesse Fitzpatrick is about to have his world turned upside down. Out of the blue, Jesse's best friend Carr returns from the jungles of Ecuador for four days. It's a very rare occasion, since Carr has been traveling the world for the last twenty years for Armistice Coalition, a group similar to the Peace Corps. Excited about Carr's visit, Jesse has to face the bittersweet truth -- he's always been smitten with Carr, although Carr only treats him as friend, nothing more. Carr's visit takes an interesting turn when he slips into bed with Jesse. As secrets of Carr's life begin to quickly unfold, Jesse starts to hope the traveling man might be smitten with him. Do the two have a chance at romance, or will Carr take the next flight back to the jungle and out of Jesse's life for good?