This story, although it can be read as a standalone, is best appreciated as an epilogue to Merge Ahead – Will and Adam’s story.

Will glanced at the email, then quickly looked away. He’d known it was coming. His agent had gone through the terms with him by phone yesterday and had told him the actual contract was on its way, but he still couldn’t look at it directly. It was too bright, too wonderful, too impossible. If he opened the attachment, it wouldn’t really be a publishing contract. Would it?

“What do you think?” he asked the cat curled up in his lap. Cricket patted Will’s cheek with her paw.

“Yes, yes, I know. Pet you.” He scratched behind her ears, pretending to be put out by how needy she was but secretly appreciating the fact that Cricket liked him best. Cricket’s older sister Marnie never sat in his lap. Marnie was as head-over-heels in love with his husband Adam as Will was himself, but Cricket … Cricket liked him. Continue reading →