It’s not easy being a gay man in Utah, but it’s even more difficult when you’re young and overweight. Jay has never fit in with the general “club culture” and he knows he’d never be attractive enough to catch a one-night stand, much less a boyfriend. Losing himself in books and school alleviates his loneliness, and he doesn’t waste time dreaming about what he can’t have. Until he meets the new director of the GLBT Center on campus and promptly falls in love -- against all common sense and logic.<br><br>Hoping to catch a few glimpses of Stephen outside of the Center, Jay decides to start working out at the university gym. The plan turns out to be too successful as Stephen volunteers to be his workout buddy, then invites Jay out to lunch, and finally, kisses him. Jay wants Stephen more than anything, but he can’t bring himself to trust Stephen’s intentions. Not when he knows he’s disgusting and Stephen is so perfect ...

From Behind that Locked Door

Cillian brought Henri to the sitting room to watch the koi. Muhaimin followed them there, and immediately got in the pond with the fish. There was also a string of ducklings with their mother—a surprising sight given that reproducing animals could cause an overpopulation issue on the ship. But it delighted Henri, so he didn’t worry about it. They enjoyed the peacefulness of the manufactured nature all afternoon.


A few months later, the Monks announced that they’d entered the Iota Horologii system.


Chapter 28