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

It was Wes’s turn to worry about dehydration. His heart thumped harder than ever. He was torn between getting up and laughing this off like it had been a bad joke, or maybe moving their friendship along at a faster pace than he originally planned. The rational part of his brain was exhausted from the heat, and impulsively he lifted his kilt up to his hips for half a second before dragging it back down.


Carlo stared in awe for a moment. “Wow. You really—” He cleared his throat. “Dang. Now I feel like I should show you mine, just so we’re even or something.”


Wes chuckled nervously. “You really don’t have to.”


“Not even as a thank you for helping me out on the field?”


“Nah, because then what was the point of me showing you mine?” Wes felt like his mouth was on autopilot, and he desperately wanted to switch it off before he shoved his foot in it.


“Well, I have to do something to repay you. I owe it to you.”


Chapter 14