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

“Couldn’t. He didn’t like coming over to my place because it’s in a rough part of town, so the only thing I have of his is a pair of nail clippers he left there once, and I don’t think he even remembers that.”


Carlo drank his wine pensively. “What about pretending you’ve already found someone else? That usually works in sitcoms when someone wants to get rid of an annoying ex.”


Wes shrugged. “Except this isn’t a rom-com and I think Phillip would know I was bluffing. And I just—it’s complicated.”


“I know, but it is. I wish I could hole up under a rock until he gives up looking for me and finds a new toy to walk all over, and lick my wounds until I’m ready to give my heart to someone else.” Wes sighed. “I have an unfortunate attraction to guys who toe the line between charismatic and arrogant, though, so I want to do some introspection first, get myself in a good place. Who knows how long that’ll take?”


Chapter 17