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from the computer desk and jumping to his feet. He paced his small living room, a desperate, frustrated mood clouding his mind.
    Why hadn’t he come back? Had their night together meant so little to him? He’d been so loving, so completely into what they’d shared. Chris had been sure of that at the time—but now?
    Am I so naïve that I have to suppose it meant as much to him as it did to me ? he thought, shaking his head sadly. A man like that, so beautiful and sophisticated, must have his pick of anyone he wants—and what do I have to offer him? Only myself…and obviously that isn’t enough.
    Sighing, he sat down again at his desk and resumed staring at the screen in front of him, trying again to concentrate on the test. A little chime told him he had mail. Carlos?
    Don’t be silly , he chided himself. Carlos hadn’t asked for his email address—or his phone number, now he came to think about it. He really hadn’t wanted to keep in touch.
    The email was from his friend Joey.
     
    Wanna go 4 a beer? meet u at the blue moon in 20.
     
    He emailed back.
     
    BOUND IN BLOOD
    J. P. Bowie
    34
     
    Sure—c u there.
     
    Might as well. Joey was always good company. They’d been friends since junior high—
    two gay boys protecting each other from the bullies who had lurked in the locker rooms and shadowy corridors. The so-called jocks had always been ready to pounce on and beat the shit out of any ‘fag’ who strayed their way. The guys who had tried to beat him up in the alley were most likely products of that same environment. But Joey and he had formed a close bond that had grown stronger with the years, and Chris had become the rock Joey turned to when his heart was broken—which, Chris reflected with a rueful grin, was just about three times a year. Joey hated being without a boyfriend, and his eagerness to see only the good qualities in them often left him crushed by their flakiness. Fortunately, after the last disaster, Joey didn’t seem in any hurry to make another mistake.
    Chris took a moment to brush his teeth and run a comb through his hair then picked up his bomber jacket. He was headed for the door when a gentle knock stopped him in his tracks.
    Who…?
    He flung open the door then gasped with surprise and no small measure of delight at the sight of the tall, dark-haired man who stood framed in the doorway, smiling down at him.
    “Carlos,” he whispered. “Come in.”
    Carlos’ smile deepened, and he stepped inside. He glanced at the bomber jacket Chris held. “You were going out?”
    Chris threw the jacket onto a chair. “No…well, yeah, but I can cancel. Joey’ll understand. I’ll call him right now.”
    “I don’t want to spoil your plans.”
    “No, you won’t,” Chris assured him. “I was just meeting my friend Joey for a beer. He won’t mind, and I’d rather spend time with you,” he added shyly.
    “Thank you.” Carlos smiled into Chris’ eyes then leant in to kiss his lips gently. “It’s good to see you again.”
    “Yes, it is—I mean, it’s good to see you again.” The kiss had left him slightly breathless.
    “Let me just call Joey… Take off your coat. Make yourself at home.”
    BOUND IN BLOOD
    J. P. Bowie
    35
     
    “I brought some wine for us to share.”
    “Great.” He punched in Joey’s number while Carlos removed his leather coat and hung it over the back of a chair. “Joey? Hey, I’m sorry. Can I catch you later? I forgot I had a friend coming round.”
    “Anyone I know?”
    “Not yet, but you’ll get to meet him.”
    “ All right . Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow. Have fun tonight.”
    “Talk at you later. Bye, Joey.”
    He grinned at Carlos. “Just a little white lie. Gee, it’s good to see you.” He paused for a moment then decided to throw caution to the wind. “I was beginning to think you didn’t want to see me again. I hoped you’d come to the club. We didn’t exchange any numbers or anything, so there was no way I could reach