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Authors: Elizabeth Varlet

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Meg handed him gift after gift, reading out the giver’s name as he carefully removed the paper. He’d never been good at receiving them. Even during Christmas, he was careful and shy while Meg had torn through the wrapping and only gave thanks when forced to stop and take a breath. His parents gave him a sweater and his sister bought him a new toolbox. He got socks, ties, more tools, gag gifts, sports stuff, and so many other things he lost track.

“This is from Z,” Meg said, handing him a rainbow gift bag with rainbow paper.

Fitch looked at the smart-mouthed dancer, noting his raised eyebrow and challenging expression, before pulling out a T-shirt. It was pastel pink cotton with text in rainbow colors and it read:
My boyfriend wears heels bigger than your dick.

Fitch laughed, then pulled off his shirt and tugged the new one over his head for all to see. Most of the crowd chuckled too when they read the words.

“Nice shirt,” Meg said. “This one is from Tameron.”

It was a framed poem, “Rumors from an Aeolian Harp,” by Henry David Thoreau. One of Ansel’s favorite pieces. Fitch had looked it up after their first date.

“Oh, I love that one,” Meg said over his shoulder.

“Thanks Tam, it’s perfect.” He set the frame on the mantel behind him.

“Last one,” Meg said.

As he ripped into the paper he asked, “Who is this from?” Only, Meg didn’t reply.

“Me,” Ansel said, taking a step forward. “And Lirim. I asked for his help because I can’t draw a straight line to save my life.”

It was a painting. A beautiful, colorful, wild abstract piece of art. He stared at it, at a pair of eyes portrayed so realistically they seemed real.

“It’s messy. Crazy, like me,” Ansel continued.

Fitch looked up. “Our first—”

“Yes,” Ansel cut him off, glancing to the side, reminding him they weren’t alone. After a moment, he took another step forward. “Same makeup.”

It wasn’t just the same makeup, it was the look in those painted eyes, the emotion somehow so perfectly portrayed even in paint. Just like the first night they’d slept together. The way Ansel had looked at him, too scared to hope, too lost to know his own worth. So vulnerable. It had torn Fitch in two then, and seeing it now brought him right back to that dark room.

His chest expanded and he gripped the frame until his knuckles turned white.

“This is amazing,” he whispered, unable to take his eyes off the gift. Buried beneath the eyes were other things that made his heart quicken, a pair of angel wings, musical notes, a storm cloud, and a grenade. It was a collage about their relationship and he cherished every single inch of it.

“Thank you.” Finally, he raised his eyes.

“Lirim did most of the work. He’s the real artist.” Ansel shrugged one shoulder and gestured to his friend.

“Truly, it’s beautiful, Lirim,” Fitch said. Lirim just nodded with a small smile.

“We want to see it too,” Meg said, taking the painting. At first glance, she let out a sigh. While she distracted the rest of the guests, Fitch closed the distance between himself and Ansel.

“You threw me a surprise party.” They stood less than a foot apart but didn’t touch.

“Yeah,” Ansel said, his eyes on Fitch’s mouth.

“You invited all my friends and family.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“You decorated my house.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

Ansel’s lashes fell and rose again in slow motion. “Because, I love you.”

So simple. So clear. His words, the pure emotion behind them, the honesty in his eyes. It rocked Fitch enough that he thought he might lose all power in his limbs.

“Angel—”

“You have changed my life, Fitch. Since the moment we met, my whole world became brighter. Suddenly things I’d thought impossible were possible, because you were there. I love you. I think I’ve loved you forever. And I’m not afraid anymore. You are the best man I have ever known and you encourage me, inspire me, to be the best I can be. I love you. And if the offer still stands, I would like nothing more than to stay here, with you.”

The room around them had grown silent at some point during Ansel’s speech.

“Whoops,” Ansel whispered. “Sorry, they weren’t supposed to hear that.”

Fitch grabbed Ansel’s wrist and tugged him into a hug. “I’m going to kiss the love of my life now. If anyone here has any issues with that, get the fuck out.”

With the cheering and laughter of friends and family as a soundtrack, he kissed Ansel.

“I love you so goddamn much,” he admitted between kisses. “If you can be brave so can I.”

Ansel wrapped his arms around his neck and brought their foreheads together so that their breath mingled between them.

“Thank you for helping me believe in happy endings again.”

“Oh, Angel, this is only the beginning.”

* * * * *

Acknowledgments

I must acknowledge the inspiring work of Yanis Marshall, whose dancing helped bring the Sassy Boyz to life. His passion for dance is contagious.

I’d also like to thank the entire Carina Press team for making me feel so welcome and being wonderful from the very beginning, especially my amazing editor, Deborah Nemeth, who I swear is made of magic.

Lastly, this series would not be possible without the truly unconditional support of my Hubster. Thanks, babe. You rock my socks.

Coming soon from Elizabeth Varlet
and Carina Press

Dark & Dazzling
(Sassy Boyz Book Two)

About the Author

Elizabeth Varlet is a thirtysomething newly married world-traveler who devours books like they were candy. A nerd at heart, she spends way too many hours bingeing on episodes of her favorite television shows and dreaming of the day she can adopt a dog—whom she’s already named.

She started writing stories in high school and hasn’t stopped. Now her characters like to get frisky under the covers. Or the stars, or in a car, or up against the wall—they’re not picky.

Elizabeth believes in love of all shapes and sizes and wants nothing more than to share the beauty in the form of stories.

Visit her at
http://www.elizabethvarlet.com
for updates.

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Whether you’re looking for a male/male romance that’s sweet, sexy or somewhere in between, you’ll find it at Carina Press!

The
Ethan & Wyatt
series by K.A. Mitchell

An unexpected fresh start leads to an unlikely-but-absolutely-perfect pairing in this male/male new-adult duology from bestselling gay romance author K.A. Mitchell

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on STATUS UPDATE, recommended read

The
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Meet the Sassy Boyz, a group of androgynous male dancers in New York City who struggle to overcome difficult pasts to show that even damaged boys can find love.

FIERCE & FABULOUS (
Sassy Boyz
, book one)
DARK & DAZZLING (
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The Boundaries Series
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Featuring an enemies-to-lovers romance, a professor–student relationship and a silver fox who falls for a drag queen, this series is all about testing—and breaking—all the boundaries.

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“A sweet, feel-good story of two young men who help each other heal.”
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series by j. leigh bailey

These young men will have to let go of who they were to become all they can.

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on NOBODY’S HERO, recommended read

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In A.M. Arthur’s male/male romances, friends learn that there’s more to life and love than just sex—no matter how steamy it is!

“In depicting the hurts of living and the healing comfort of love, [A.M.] Arthur hits all the right notes.”
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Publishers Weekly

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Belonging
Series (New Adult)

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, book two)
STAND BY YOU
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Belonging
, book three)

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Series (Contemporary Romance)

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, book one)
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