Easy-going Sebastien divides his time between working as a cleaning technician, caring for his widowed father, and running off to the park for soccer practice. Coasting through his existence, he's convinced he doesn't have much going for him.<br><br>That isn’t what his best friend Jack thinks. Quick-witted and passionate, Jack is fascinated by art and history, but the greatest book or painting could never compare to how he feels when he's alone with Sebastien.<br><br>In the last five years, Seb and Jack have shared everything, sometimes even a bed. Yet though their chemistry is smoking hot, Sebastien keeps Jack at a safe distance. But when the two move in together to lower their living expenses, that distance gets smaller and smaller, until Sebastien and Jack are standing so close, they can't see what's right in front of their eyes ... the love of their life.

Auguries of Summer

“Ah, of course, you’re a nine.” Jack unfastened his seat belt. “Nine is the number of compassion. Community. It’s the humanist’s number. You must have a great big heart.”


I didn’t know about that. “So, uh, what’s yours? I mean, your birthday.”


“I’m glad you asked. I’m September eleventh.”


“Yes, I know. It’s humbling and a great way for me to stay grounded. Also, eleven is a mystic number and I’m always up for a great mystery, even if it’s one involving my own soul.”


I was impressed with Jack’s intelligence and sensitivity. This guy was waiting tables? He should have been teaching something.


I wanted to kiss him. Really kiss him. But how? I didn’t have the nerve.


Jack leaned in close. “Let’s go inside…okay?”


A surge of excitement ran up my spine. “Yeah.”


As we hurried out of the car and up his crooked front stairs, I couldn’t wait to enter Jack’s world.


“These all yours?” I asked, amazed at the loaded bookshelves in Jack’s living room.


Chapter 38