Page 58 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

Neither knew they were seriously crushing on each other.Now they’ve admitted the truth, is happily ever after in the cards?

Marcus’s Cadenceis a 7k second-chance gay romance instalove short story with a very happy ending and a malti-poo named Kiki.

Contents

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

Chapter One

Cadence

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

The words ricocheted around in my brain.Shannon Branigan’s older brother was here.In person.Right here.In—

“Can I come in?”

Uh…

Stay calm.

Marcus had to be here to see the property, because he sure as shit wasn’t here for me.“Of course.”I held the door and carefully gauged his body language as he stepped in.Nice tight ass in formfitting jeans—

“Why is the place for sale?I mean, these cottages are never available.”

Pain shot through me like a knife, visceral and white-hot.

Deep breath.

“Miss Mabel died a while back, and Gertie decided to move to Arizona with her grandkids.”My attempt at hiding my misery failed, judging by the pity on Marcus’ face.“They were the lesbian couple who took me in after my bigoted parents turfed me.”

His brow furrowed.“I…when?I mean, how old were you?”

Acid churned my gut.“Fifteen.”

“Shit…I mean, you and Shan were dance partners back then.How did I not know?”

Because you and your hockey jock friends didn’t pay any attention to little gay dancers like me?

“I didn’t tell a lot of people back then.”Or now.

“But Shan knew.”Certainty.As solidly spoken as the man himself.All six-foot-two, dark-brown hair and eyes, muscled physique…Don’t go there.“Look, Marcus, that happened a long time ago, before Shan’s accident, before—”

With a step, he invaded my personal space.“You should’ve told me.I would’ve…”

“What?Taken care of me?Given me a home?Miss Mabel and Gertie did.I was fine.Iamfine.”Lonely, but fine.

“Oh, you’re fine, alright.”

I cocked my head.

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