Jaren is your typical nerdy high schooler. Straight As and only enough friends to count on two fingers, he unexpectedly makes a third. But this friend is nothing like him. Confident and carefree, John is a lively change that Jaren quickly welcomes into his life. But as their relationship develops, Jaren wonders if the boy he spends all of his time with is really who he says he is. John's facade starts to waver and when Jaren finds out the truth, it is the last thing he ever expected. *************** "You okay?" the blond asked softly, close enough that his hair tickled Jaren's cheek. He nodded slowly as he drank in John's face. He was beautiful. Those eyes, greener than the willow's leaves. He didn't miss how they lingered on his lips. The air was thick with tension but Jaren welcomed it. He'd never felt this sensation before. Was this where he finally admitted to himself he liked the guy in front of him, not just in a friends way? John's eyes moved back to his and there was something in them that wasn't there just a moment before. A sort of yearning, a question. The way Jaren inhaled sharply was answer enough.

SEQUEL TO PAPER HEARTS Jaren is finally home after college in London. Life is great: him and his mom are closer than ever, he's brought back his friend from London and he even has a boyfriend that he adores. Everything is perfect. Until he unexpectedly bumps into the man he's spent the last three years trying to forget. John seems to have changed but is mending bridges the best thing to do? Or will disaster strike again? ************************* "Why don't we start over?" He put his hand out between them. "Hi, I'm Jaren." John looked at him with a confused expression on his face. "What?" "I'm willing to forget everything before and start over. You gonna leave me hanging?" He wiggled his waiting fingers. "No," John huffed. "I'm John." His warm hand was in Jaren's a second later, who shook their joined hands once. "Nice to meet you, John. Would you like to come inside and catch up?" "I would love to."