Zachary Bodine owns a costume store with his friend and business partner, DeeDee Harrow. It's the only thing that keeps him going most days after the betrayal and near bankruptcy caused by his ex-boyfriend Maddox five years ago. It happened on Halloween, and he’s hated that holiday ever since. He’s become thin and grouchy, to the despair of his closest friends.<br><br>Lucius “Lucille” Lombardi, the gorgeous drag queen and part-owner of the popular club next door, has had his eye on Zachary for years. He’s determined to have the man for his own. The plan? A few home-cooked meals, some kisses, and Dinah Washington.<br><br>When Maddox shows up out of the blue on Halloween night, Zachary has to choose: let the past continue to rule his life, or don a feather boa and grab hold of Lucius.

Of Love and Feather Boas

It was a matter of seconds before my teeth were brushed, and I lay in bed. It was a little cool in the room since I tried to keep the heating bill down. I snuggled under the covers and hoped to get some sleep. It was a crap shoot, some nights, whether or not I would.


Sunday morning found me bleary-eyed and showered at nine o’clock. I’d been restless all night and felt groggy. I had a cup of coffee before heading out to the Sunday farmer’s market a block from my apartment. It would close after today, so this was my last chance for good deals before being forced to shop for everything at the supermarket. Kroger wasn’t cheap, not if I wanted the good stuff.


Unshaved, dressed in sweats and an old hoodie, I strolled in the brisk morning air with two empty cloth bags to my destination. Most of the vendors recognized me and waved as I passed by.


“Morning, Zachary,” the guy with the eggs greeted me.


Chapter 3