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CHAPTER ONE

Marc entered Sierra’s Gourlanced around, amused as usual by the unique decor Not one table was the same color as another, and few of the chairs matched He was early, so he didn’t expect Riley to be there yet, but he hoped Riley hurried up He was starving His storohen he saw the counter filled with ice cream as colorful as the swirls in the stained concrete floor Sorting through the outrageous flavors with Riley was always fun Sooat cheese, and blueberry bacon He was going to need Riley’s guidance, since, as a professional baker and culinary-school student, Riley usually knehich odd combinations would actually work

Marc ordered a coffee and took a seat at a wrought-iron table by theHe chose the fuchsia chair; Riley could take the mustard-yellow one It would look horrible next to Riley’s skin, but that was his price to pay for being—Marc looked at his phone—less than five minutes early

The door chi to see Riley Instead, a slim, red-haired man in a black tank top and rolled-up skinny jeans sashayed in He had “I’” written all over him, so Marc blatantly checked hiht on cue, he glanced at Marc, then turned back to the counter and loudly requested a scoop of Dirty Banana Split

Marc could give hi, but not worth the effort Noin his hours each week as an escort, picking up ahim just seemed like more work Relationships orse Marc was far too prone to fall for manipulative bastards who only wanted hi to do for them Fuck that Maybe he’d just beco clients of course

Dirty Banana Boy checked hiain Marc nodded politely and then focused on the people walking by outside,it clear he wasn’t interested

The next time the door chimed, it was Riley He er bag drop to the floor He looked as tired as he usually did these days

“Tell estured toward Marc’s coffee

The very idea “Never I aiting for you”

“I can’t decide what I want more—ice cream or a chance to sit down forat me”

How could that be a question? “Ice cream is that answer”

Riley gave a tired laugh “It usually is”

After severalhis choices, Marc decided he didn’t feel particularly outlandish that day He settled on a sugar cone with a scoop of white chocolate with raspberries on top of a scoop of plain old chocolate

“And for you?” the server asked, looking at Riley with adnaled she was very interested in his decision and everything else about hi-tired he could charm anyone

“I’ll have an espresso float with Bourbon Barrel Dark Chocolate”

“Great choice!”