I laughed and teased Rick that Sam had better be as good as he made him out to be because never mind any overbearing prospective mother-in-law, meeting me was the real test. But joking apart, there was a twinge of jealousy mixed in with my excitement at meeting this boy wonder. I pushed it to the back of my mind. Of course Sam would be lovely. I'm not losing a gay best friend, I reasoned, but gaining another.

"Prepare a wild time for me," I said. "I'll see you on Friday."

On Friday night, an uncharacteristically nervous Rick, leading a stunningly good-looking guy by the hand, met me at the station. Sam had the same tall, Hollywood-hunk body as Rick did, but he shared my coloring. Nordic good looks with a light tan, dark blond hair, and piercing blue eyes.

"It's so good to meet you!" I said. I liked the twinkle in Sam's eye; it told me he would be fun and easy-going, just like Rick was.

"You, too, Kyra," said Sam, landing a peck on my cheek. "I've heard so much about you." A trace of stubble brushed against my own soft skin, making me shiver.

"So," I said, linking one arm with Sam and the other with Rick, as the three of us set off for the bars and clubs of the seafront. "What wild adventure have you got planned for me this weekend?"

Actually, we didn't have a wild time that evening at all but a lovely reunion over dinner at a great little Italian place. We chatted for hours over pizza and a bottle of wine that turned into two, then three, served by a very cute waiter who was decent enough to flirt equally with all three of us. It didn't take long for me to realize that Sam was perfect for Rick. He was attentive and funny, and he obviously really cared for my friend.

Plus, the sexual tension between them was hot. Whenever they thought I wasn't looking, they'd steal a kiss, and under the table they were constantly reaching for each other.