To choose a job and ambition over love is something Gus Atchison might never forgive. When his boyfriend, Seb Paddington, decides to move to New York and leave their relationship behind, Gus is heartbroken. But two months later, Seb shows up and tries to get close again. Gus isn’t having it, though, despite Seb’s persistence, and they end up in a fight on his front porch.<br><br>Once they make peace, of a sort, Seb goes back to New York. However, four months later when he returns, Gus is alarmed at how unhealthy and thin Seb looks, and realizes he still has feelings for the man, in spite of it all. They start up a tentative friendship, and Gus sees another side of Seb he’s never known while helping with his new company. Will Gus take him back? Or will they remain friends forever?

Take Me Back

“Get the fuck off my car,” I snapped.


He moved slowly, eyeing me warily as I drew closer. “What bug got up your ass? I thought we were still friends, at least,” he said, having the nerve to sound pissed off. “What, I can’t say hello? Ask how you are?”


I laughed, sounding a little hysterical. “Friends? Right, because friends treat each other the way you did me. I never got an answer to my emails and texts way back when, Seb, so seeing you here is the last thing I’d expect.”


Seb watched me for a few seconds, gray eyes stormy. But all he said was, “You’re not at the apartment anymore.”


“No, I’m not.” Suddenly tired, I said, “Enjoy your visit. I have nothing more to say to you.” With that, I got into my car and drove off, refusing to acknowledge to myself that I watched him in my rearview mirror until he was too small to see.


Chapter 4