A vignette of contemporary gay romance

New York City detective Joe Hamilton lives a double life as an undercover operative. When a case takes an unexpected turn, Joe finds himself separated from his partner. He scribbles a cryptic message in a birthday card and drops it in the mailbox.

Riley O'Shea kissed his partner goodbye at the beginning of a normal day only to have Joe disappear without a word. Riley's worried but after a greeting card arrives with a date and flight number inside, Riley claims the ticket and boards a plane to Chicago. It's the only way to get the answers he needs – and lots of reunion sex.

(short story, 6k)