
Show bookįed up with his desk duty in the Imperial Arcane Library, book hunter Colin Bliss accepts a private commission to find The Sword's Shadow, a legendary and dangerous witches' grimoire. Through the awkwardness, Jared learns love doesn’t always mean sex and the most meaningful connections might have nothing to do with romance. He doesn’t anticipate getting caught between his friend Bryan and Bryan’s flamboyant ex. **Meant to Be** Jared has simple goals for his freshman year of college: make friends, lose his virginity, come out, and maybe fall in love. But for the first time, he has the courage to try… if he can only convince Matt.


Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s coworkers, Jared fears they’ll never find a way to be together. A summer camping and mountain biking together cements their friendship, but when Matt realizes he’s attracted to Jared, he panics and withdraws, leaving Jared all too aware of what he’s missing. Matt may not be into guys, but he doesn’t care that Jared is. But Jared’s opportunities are limited-the only other gay man in town is twice his age, and although Jared originally planned to be a teacher, the backlash that might accompany the gig keeps him working at his family’s store instead.

Can a man who loves his small hometown trust it to love him back? Jared Thomas has lived in the mountain town of Coda, Colorado his whole life.
