The Mature Man's Guide to Surviving Change

In the sunny playground of Palm Springs, growing up was something confirmed bachelor and bad-boy chef Joel avoided at all costs--until a close friend's death made him reevaluate his priorities. Ever since, he's been dedicated to helping his widowed friend Perry get back on his feet by teaching him to cook and providing a shoulder to cry on. But when Perry announces that he's ready to start dating again and then begins receiving gifts from an anonymous secret Santa, Joel is forced to confront the feelings he's suppressed for so long.

As Joel struggles with jealousy and guilt amid the holiday season, he must decide if he's ready to grow up and reach for what he's always wanted but never thought he could have.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2017 Advent Calendar "Stocking Stuffers."