by Lane Hayes
“No, thank you. I’ve had my share.” He tipped his empty cup back before stepping aside. “I should make sure the artist is taken care of, though. I’ll see you—oh wait. I meant to tell you I spoke to Marsha earlier today, Aaron. She told me she offered you the position in New York.”
I opened my mouth and closed it. Of course, Paul knew. I’d really hoped to avoid talking about work tonight. No such luck.
“Yes. I’m thinking about it,” I replied.
“It’s a bloody good opportunity for a couple of reasons.” He cast a quick gaze in our general vicinity, then leaned in. “This is strictly confidential.”
“Okay,” I prodded. “You can trust me.”
“Marsha wants New York for herself, but she can’t leave DC for a year. Something to do with her husband’s retirement. I think the idea is for you to set up the office and perhaps stay if that’s what you want. Or…come home in a year and take her position in DC.”
“Wow. Really?”
“She told me herself. She didn’t ask me to keep that information secret, but if it’s something you’re considering, it might be useful to know,” he said. “Oh, and one other thing. Do you remember Simon Pickard?”
“The artist. Yes. Why?”
“He’s collaborating with Mason Corso, the New York designer. I think that’s code for ‘they’re screwing each other senseless,’ but I have a strong premonition they’ll be the subject of your first New York editorial. Subtext…sex and art,” he added with a laugh before smiling at someone over my shoulder. “Speaking of sex and art, I’d better run. See you both later.”
Matt and I shared a look, wordlessly shuffling to the next painting. And then the next. And the next…until we stood by ourselves in a corner staring at a painting titled, “Home.” Matt slipped his arm around me and kissed my temple.
“Do you remember the time you invited me to an art show for your friend, Richie, the photographer?”
I bit my bottom lip and grinned. “Of course. It was our first real date.”
“Yeah. I was so out of my element, but exactly where I wanted to be at the same time. My heart was buzzing, and I needed that stupid cocktail napkin just to wipe my sweaty palms.”
“Was it me or the art?” I teased.
“You. It was always you. Anyway, the waiter handed us drinks, and we looked up at the first piece on the wall and boom…it was a huge photograph of the New York City skyline. You stared at it for a minute, totally lost in thought. I asked you what you were thinking and you said…”
“Someday, that’s where I want to live.”
“Yes.” Matt squeezed me against his side. “Maybe someday is now. Maybe this is the next step. Our new beginning.”
“You think so?”
“Could be.” He shrugged and glanced at Seth’s painting, though I knew he saw something else. “I was so nervous that night. I didn’t want to get anything wrong, but I couldn’t relax. And looking at you while you looked at that photograph, daydreaming about the future, pulled me out of my head, so I could concentrate on you. The color of your eyes, your long lashes, the lipstick on your cheek…”
“Lipstick?”
“The woman at the door kissed you. You had a red splotch right here.” Matt rubbed a spot from my cheek and nuzzled my neck. “I wondered if you’d go someday. And I wondered where that would leave me. I didn’t know it was just the beginning.”
I blinked against the sudden well of tears in my eyes and threw my arms around him. “It was a good beginning.”
“There’s nothing better than beginnings. But there’s so much more now.”
“Yes.” I kissed him, then raised my empty glass. “To new adventures and new beginnings. To our story. Te amo, mi amor.”
“Te amo.”
Matty tipped his glass back and made a funny face before grumbling good-naturedly about needing a drink.
“Come on. I know where to find one,” I said, tugging at his arm.
“Wait.” He held my chin and stared deep into my eyes. “So…New York?”
“Yes.”
Matt’s grin was so wide, it had to hurt his face. He picked me up and spun me in a circle, then crashed his mouth over mine. Conversation and laughter hummed somewhere in the background, reminding us we weren’t alone. But it didn’t matter if we had an audience or not. Some things required celebration…like a promotion and a new start. The little things should be celebrated too. The everyday rhythm of life. The sound of your favorite person’s laughter, the feel of his skin, the sweetness of his smile. The way he looks at you as though you might be the answer. The only answer. I never dreamed anyone would ever look at me that way. Or love me quite so much. Our story would evolve over time, but as long as he was by my side, we’d always be better than good.
Better Than Series
Better Than Stories will always have a special place in my heart. My first series chronicles the live of a circle of friends in DC as they navigate careers, relationships, heartbreak, and ultimately, love. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone!
Check out the entire series, beginning with Matt and Aaron’s story in Better Than Good.
Find out what happens when Jay falls for his sexy boss, Peter, in Better Than Chance.
Don’t miss Curt and Jack’s story…Sparks fly when the lawyer and the older laidback Harley-riding bar owner meet in Better Than Friends.
Paul is a persnickety ad exec and Seth is an in-demand fashion model. Can true opposites find true love? Find out in Better Than Safe.
Out in College Series
Out in College is my new adult series set in Southern California. Each book has a sports theme and though some characters will be feature in other stories, these books can be read on their own and in any order. So far, we’ve got water polo, football, and baseball. And coming soon…ice hockey!
Check out the entire series, beginning with water polo with Derek and Gabe’s story in Out in the Deep, Book 1…
Football with Evan and Mitch in Out in the End Zone, Book 2…
A little more football with Christian and Rory in Out in the Offense, Book 3…
Some baseball with Max and Phoenix in Out in Field, Book 4…
And ice hockey in Out on the Ice, Book 5. Coming March 2020!
Starting From Series
Don’t miss my new rock and roll series! Book 1 begins with a song and Book 2 is about the record deal. Look for Book 3 in Spring 2020!
Starting From Zero, Book 1
Justin Cuevas is going through a rough patch. A broken relationship, a scandal, and the demise of his band have shaken the aspiring rock star’s confidence. With a little luck, he’s hoping to re-launch his music career in LA with his new band, Zero. The key is to stay focused, and not get distracted by his past…or the sexy songwriter he can’t get out of his head.
Gray Robertson has written dozens of hits and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But he’s never met anyone like Justin. The younger man is fiery, passionate, and smart. A powerful voice for a new generation. Other than an unforgettable one-night stand and a passion for music, the two men have nothing in common. Or do they?
Starting From Scratch, Book 2
Charlie Rourke is an ultra fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero.
Ky Baldwin loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature and Ky can’t stop thinking about him.
About the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist
and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.
*Join Lane’s reading group, Lane’s Lovers for immediate updates!
Also by Lane Hayes
Starting From Zero
Starting From Scratch
Out in the Deep
Out in the End Zone
Out in the Offense
Out in the Field
Stick to the Script (Ace’s Wild Series #13)
Leaning Into Love
Leaning Into Always
Leaning Into the Fall
Leaning Into a Wish
Leaning Into Touch
Leaning Into the Look
Leaning Into Forever
Better Than Good
Better Than Chance
Better Than Friends
Better Than Safe
A Kind of Truth
A Kind of Romance
A Kind of Honesty
A Kind of Home
The Right Words
The Wrong Man
The Right Time
A Way with Words
A Way with You