Reinvented

By Alexandra Caluen

At going-on-fifty, patent filing specialist Santo is the recently divorced single dad to a sixteen-year-old with Broadway ambitions. He’s thrilled to learn his new coworker Martin is close to his age, also gay, and also a single dad. At the very least, they might turn into good work friends.

Before many weeks pass, Santo and Martin are much more than work friends. Their teenagers, who go to the same high school, quickly bond. Having school and workplace in common takes a lot of the juggling out of trying to date in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Santo’s support helps Martin cope as an adoptive father to a niece still grieving her parents. He’s creating a new version of himself for this role. Will his turbulent entry into parenthood open a door to a future full of love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jun 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781685507817

Book preview

Reinvented

By Alexandra Caluen

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2024 Alexandra Caluen

ISBN 9781685507817

* * * *

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

* * * *

Dedicated to Bruce, whose offhand comment inspired this story, and Tammy, who shared it with him.

Reinvented was an opportunity for me to geek out about my own longtime profession. I’ve written about patent lawyers and paralegals before (check out my website to find out where!), but never made the job so central to a relationship. Santo and Martin are based on observations from my work life, not specific people I’ve worked with. I love them both and can easily imagine their happy future together.

* * * *

Reinvented

By Alexandra Caluen

Chapter 1

August 2018

Santo

It’s always a relief when your group gets to the point of feeling fully staffed and then the company hires an extra person. At least it’s a relief for me; I don’t assume they’re bringing in someone new so they can fire someone else. I assume they’re looking to create a little breathing room for everybody.

The last three hires were all very nice people. They were also all women, ten to twenty years younger than me, which meant I automagically became an uncle all over again. I already have eight real nieces and nephews, thank you. But whatever. When the hiring announcement went out to the group, I got excited, because the name was Martin and the pronouns were he/him. Odds were against him being gay, but at least he’d be another guy.

Then my manager Kenny followed up with a request for me to mentor the new guy. Called me into his claustrophobia-inducing windowless office, asked me to close the door, and said, Santo, this is kind of a sensitive situation, but I feel like you’re the best man for the job.

Why’s that?

Well, Martin is your age and he’s gay and he’s a single dad. Except it’s brand new, because he’s adopting his sister’s daughter. The girl’s parents were both killed in a car crash.

Oh my God, that’s horrible!

"It really is. Martin was working as a patent agent before. He hasn’t worked as a filer and he’ll need some special care. Can I