The Ghost and Charlie Muir by Felice Stevens

The only problem? Coby has no idea what she's done. His best friend disagrees and finds the 'perfect man' for him online and arranges a date. When Coby sees his ex has moved on, he goes on a series of disastrous first dates and swears off men, determined to be alone. After his boyfriend dumps him, Coby vows to take it slow and not jump into another relationship, no matter what his ninety-five-year-old great aunt says. Yet, he mused, watching Charlie stop to examine something closer on the trunk, he had no desire to be anywhere else.Nice guys always finish last, and Coby Epstein is sick and tired of being last. Ian wondered if it was its mate.Īnd that’s how Ian knew he’d gone off the deep end, when on a beautiful Saturday afternoon he was feeling up a tree, thinking about two dead gay guys and crows rather than hanging out with his friends, watching the ball game. That crow continued to squawk its ass off, and soon, another, slightly smaller one joined it on the tree branch. After all, the events occurred over one hundred years earlier. He allowed Charlie to take the lead, and together they circled the big tree, stepping over the exposed roots. He wanted to hold on, but Charlie let go and moved away. “Anyway, apology accepted.”Ĭharlie grasped Ian’s hand, and that same peculiar warmth seeped through Ian as when they’d touched before. I thought I’d put it behind me, but…” He shrugged. So the popular kids would call me weirdo and all sorts of other names. It wasn’t only ’cause I was a foster kid, but I dressed like this in high school.

I already told you I got made fun of a lot growing up. “Forgive me?”Ĭharlie’s gaze flickered upward, and at the darkness Ian saw, something painful twisted inside him. I thought you only owned your funky kind of stuff. It was a stupid thing to say, and I’m owning up to it. Rarely had Ian regretted his words more than at that moment. You probably have better things to do with your Saturday.” “Can we do what we came for, or would you rather not? You don’t have to anymore if it’s not your thing. His head hung low, gaze fixed on the grass at his feet. I like vintage clothes.” Averting his eyes, Charlie stood and propped himself against the tree. Like some guys wear makeup or are covered in tattoos. “But it’s not the first time I’ve heard it. “I didn’t think you owned anything normal.” As soon as Ian said the words, he wanted to grab them back at the hurt in Charlie’s eyes. Yeah, well, I didn’t want to get them all messed up.”

Sunlight glinted off his golden-brown hair and brightened the hairs on his forearms, adding to the glow that drew Ian in.

The Ghost and Charlie Muir by Felice Stevens