The start of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire means Wes can finally get back to his seasonal job and distract himself from his recent messy break-up. There’s plenty for him to think about at the Faire, such as his role as a wandering flower merchant, the overwhelming August heat, and Carlo, who plays a handsome knight.<br><br>Carlo is the exact opposite of Wes’s ex, Phillip, who won’t let their relationship die easily. The young knight is sweet and caring and chivalrous, but Wes has sworn to himself he’s not ready to jump back into dating yet.<br><br>When Carlo collapses off his horse during a joust, Wes has to confront his own feelings for his new friend, as well as Phillip’s constant attempts to win him back.

Heat Wave: Manheim

“I played Super Mario World so many times, I figured out how to finish the entire game, opening cut scene to end cut scene, in under eighteen minutes.”


“What?” Wes’s jaw dropped. “Holy cow! How did you manage that?”


“Hey, it isn’t cheating if it’s a feature.”


That got them talking about video game Easter eggs and their favorite items and characters. The sky was dark and the lights in the winery’s parking lot had turned on by the time they finished off the Riesling, and Wes was about to suggest seeing if the rest of the guys had anymore to share when Ellie, his ride home, came looking for him.


“There you are!” she exclaimed. “We’ve been ready to go for ten minutes! Didn’t you get my text?”


At first Wes was worried about his phone not receiving messages, then he recalled that he had turned it off, and why. “Aw, shit, I’m sorry. My, uh, my battery was low earlier. Must have finally died.”


Chapter 8