Signs of Love Winter Print

SIGNS OF LOVE: WINTER
ANYTA SUNDAY
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Heart-stopping slow burn.
1
Signs of Love: Winter
What happens when a clueless hero believes in star-

sign compatibility?
What happens when there’s only one sign left to try?
Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer . .

. Caspian’s tried the lot, compatibility nil.
Leo is his last hope for happiness.
He just has to find one.
Maybe his Virgo best friend will help? He should sneak over
next door and see . . .
3
Dear Slow Burners, this is not the last book in the Signs of Love series but
a short prequel set in the same universe.
Sagittarius and Libra will get their own novel.
Can be read as a standalone.
5
Chapter One
“
J ust take my gay card.”
Eli lurched from his seat, nearly toppling a mug of
steaming coffee. “Caspian!”
Caspian slung his snow-flurried coat and rucksack over a
vinyl chair and produced a card from his wallet. “I spent six
hours in a ride-share with a possibly bisexual Aquarius
quizzing me on everything LGBTQ-plus.” Plastic clicked on
the table between them. “What is our theme song?”
6
“Hello to you, too.” Eli opened his arms and Caspian

moved like a magnet; they collided, murmuring how much
they’d missed each other. He matched Eli’s tight squeeze,
absorbing his firm, graceful strength and familiar oaky scent.
Ice-blue eyes met Caspian’s pointedly. “We don’t have a
theme song. But, ‘Born This Way’?”
Caspian pulled off his wool-knit hat and ruffled his hair.
“Not Kermit the Frog’s ‘Rainbow Connection’?”
“Works too.”
Caspian sank onto a rickety chair. Their respective college
campuses sat at opposite ends of the state; it’d been four long
months since they’d met face to face. They had to meet more
regularly, no matter the imposition. Nothing beat the sensory
jumpstart those hugs gave his life.
The ghost of Eli’s embrace still clung to him.
Eli sat, plucked up Caspian’s card, and tapped the edge
against the Formica. “This is a library card.”
“It’s symbolic. I’m not sure I deserve it back.”
Not because he couldn’t answer all—or any—of Aquarius’s
questions, but because he’d left campus this morning nursing a
deep, humiliating pain after his breakup with Ethan—Virgo—
last night.
Eli pressed his lips together. “Kermit the Frog sang truth.
It’s plenty valid.” Caspian massaged his temples. Eli leaned in,
lowering his voice. “What’s really going on?”
Eli’s shrewd gaze sized him up.
Caspian sighed. “How ’bout a coffee first?”
Eli slid his mug over and Caspian took a blessed sip.
“You’re the bestest friend a guy could ever have, babe.”
“Go back to symbolic.”
“Mmm, good, good coffee.”
“Cas.”
Outside, snow carpeted the sidewalk and encased iron-
wrought lampposts. He shouldn’t evade, especially not with Eli,
7
ANYTA SUNDAY
but he couldn’t help it. His stomach hopped with disappoint‐

ment, frustration and worry. “What are our plans this
weekend?”
“The usual, first weekend of winter vacation. Helping Mrs.
Wallace run her Star Sign paraphernalia booth.”
Mrs. Wallace, the neighborhood astrology-fiend, had been
his and Eli’s high school drama teacher. They’d kept in contact
after graduation, and maintained the tradition of running her
booth during the Frozen Lake Festival. “Of course. Hey, did
you read her latest predictions?”
“When has helping with her booth ever meant I believe in
astrology?”
“Rather diplomatic avoidance of the question.”
Eli puffed out a laugh. Trim and neat, like everything about
him. “Fine. I skimmed over them. Mine wasn’t interesting, but
yours . . .” He tapped the card faster against the red table.
“Libra’s lucky in love this week. How nice for you and what’s-
his-name.”
“Me and what’s-his-name broke up last night.”
Eli stopped tapping. “What happened?”
Caspian shrugged, a sting in his eyes.
Eli let out a slow breath. “I’m sorry, Cas.”
Caspian shook his head. “I’m not upset about losing Ethan.
Not at all. It’s the way I lost him . . .” He gulped the rest of his
coffee and shielded his face with the mug. “I’m not gay
enough.”
“Excuse me?” Eli’s haughty protectiveness surged, wrap‐
ping Caspian like a warm coat. “Absolute bullshit. Is that why
you gave me your gay card?”
Patrons from the neighboring table stared, and Caspian
swallowed an ill-timed chuckle. He set his mug down. “I’m
afraid he’s right, Eli. Can we get another coffee and talk about
it at home?”
Eli reined in his outrage. He was good at managing his
8
emotions—a little too good, honestly. He pocketed Caspian’s

card and moved toward the self-service counter.
As Caspian buttoned his coat, a guy in a leather jacket a
few tables over eyed him before approaching. “You look
familiar.”
Not reciprocated. “I have one of those faces, I suppose.”
“It’s a good face.” He took Eli’s seat.
“You’re sitting on my friend’s coat—”
“I’m John.”
So this was happening. “Right.”
“You have a name, sweetheart?”
“Not one I give out to strangers.”
John pouted. “Any way I can change that?”
“What’s your star sign?”
“Capricorn.”
“Then no.”
“What?”
“We’re not compatible.”
“Bad luck, huh?”
Caspian gave an apologetic wince, and John slouched
away.
“Would he have better luck if he were a Taurus? Or a
Gemini?” Eli planted their takeout cups. His eyes locked on
Caspian, bemused.
Eli often smiled through his eyes rather than his lips.
Caspian liked that he was one of the few who could read
him so well.
“Unless he was a Leo, it wouldn’t have mattered. I’ve dated
every other sign, and none of them click.”
“Every other sign?”
“Eleven of them. Virgo was my last try, and never again.
We have the absolute worst compatibility.”
Eli cut his gaze sharply to his paper cup and quietly
shrugged into his coat.
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ANYTA SUNDAY
Caspian cocked his head. “What’s that pensive face for?”

“I’m Virgo, idiot.”
“The worst SEXUAL compatibility.” Caspian yelled to Eli

as they braced through whipping snow toward Eli’s car.
“Seriously, Cas. You want to shout any louder?”
He hadn’t expected the wind to take a sharp turn and slam
his words into Eli’s face and the pedestrians behind him.
He scrambled into the passenger seat, wriggled his bag into
the back alongside Eli’s suitcase—almost splashing coffee—and
held Eli’s cup as he folded himself behind the wheel.
“Platonically, we’re the best,” Caspian continued. “Nine
years attests to that. How was your drive here with Astrid?”
“Long.”
Caspian gestured for him to continue.
“She’s moving back to Jakarta. We’ve mutually decided to
separate.”
“We both got dumped, huh?”
Eli leveled him an unimpressed look, then started the igni‐
tion, grimacing. “Yeah.”
Caspian squeezed his shoulder, scrolling his thumb up the
side of Eli’s neck. “Sorry.”
Eli leaned into it exactly two beats before focusing on
driving. “The end was in sight either way.”
Caspian swiveled in his seat. He smelled drama. He hated
drama related to himself, but he thrived off other people’s.
“Why?”
As he always did, Eli quietly weighed his words before he
spoke; it made him the smartest person Caspian knew.
“She felt like a third wheel.”
“Your studies have to come first, Eli. They’re what make
you you.”
10
“I wasn’t talking about—they make me me? I’m studying to

be a lab technician.”
“Collecting data. Recording findings. Collating info. You in
a nutshell.”
“Is that right?”
“One hundred percent mythical scrupulousness. An orga‐
nizational wizard. I bow down before thee.” Caspian bowed
and Eli shook his head, amusement flickering at his cheek.
“Pass over my coffee.” Eli took a sip and his face pinched.
“This brew is burnt.”
Definitely had a nasty aftertaste to it. “I noticed at the
diner.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“What’s a bad coffee in the scheme of things?”
“We could’ve returned them.”
Or not. Seriously, if Caspian could avoid confrontation, he
would. At any cost. “And make the server feel bad? Is it worth
it? They work long hours as it is, at crappy wages. I’m not
willing to make their day worse over a single bad coffee.”
“Two bad coffees,” Eli corrected.
“Come on, babe. You know I’m right.”
Eli hummed. “You make an emotionally compelling argu‐
ment. But I know you, Cas. You didn’t want to do something
uncomfortable.”
Caspian sipped his burnt coffee, hiding a grin. “You love
me, anyway?”
Eli shook his head, expression soft, humored. “For a Libra,
you don’t play fair.”
Their moms raced out of Eli’s home the moment the car
halted, smack-bang at end of the fence that divided their
properties.
11
ANYTA SUNDAY
Caspian’s mom snatched him into a desperately joyful hug

and dragged him into the house. The last Caspian saw of Eli,
his mom was tugging him over their threshold by his scarf.
The evening was a whirlwind of questions about his stud‐
ies, his post-college plans, and the dreaded Got a boyfriend yet?
Knackered by the time everyone had left, he texted Eli to
leave his window cracked open. Clean teeth, flannel pajama
bottoms, and a baggy shirt later, he shoved open his window
and shuddered at the freezing air washing into the room.
Yikes.
He drew out the wooden ladder he’d had under his bed
since he was fourteen, and stretched it across the six-foot gap
between their bedrooms and onto Eli’s outside sill. Around his
fifteenth birthday, his mom had given up trying to stop him
from sneaking over, and instead had installed latches to secure
the ladder.
Like he’d done a thousand times, he crawled through the
night into the soft glow of Eli’s room.
He dropped lightly onto the carpeted floor and closed Eli’s
window.
A nightlight softly haloed the room. Eli never slept
without it.
His prone form lay under checkered-print bedcovers, eyes
closed toward the ceiling.
The alertness in his aristocratic face faded peacefully when
he slept, as did the quiet fierceness he usually carried. He was
beautiful, with a hint of irregular around the jaw that Caspian
found endearing.
“Eli?” he whispered.
Eli flipped one side of the blankets down and stretched out
his arm. Caspian slipped his taller frame between the fresh
sheets and curled against Eli’s side. Eli curved his arm around
his shoulders and squeezed.
12
“You forgot your eye mask,” Eli murmured, and Caspian

didn’t even want to know how he knew.
Eli felt around his bedside table and produced a mask. He
rolled onto his side and shimmied the elastic over Caspian’s
head, all without opening his eyes.
Caspian fiddled it into place, grinning.
“Why are you smiling?”
Caspian gasped. “How do you know?”
“Your breathing changes.”
“Now I’m gonna be weirdly self-conscious of it.”
“Don’t. I like it.”
Unconvinced, Caspian nuzzled nearer. “I missed this. It’s
been too long.”
The pressure around Caspian tightened, only loosening as
Eli drifted to sleep.
13
Scorpio: You looked downright sexy in that shirt today.
Caspian: Really?
Scorpio: I want to take it off.
Caspian: I’ll tell Eli he picked the perfect present.
14
Sagittarius: I had the strangest dream last night. Your mouth
played a big role . . .
Caspian: Funny. I also had a strange dream.
Sagittarius: Was my mouth involved? ;-)
Caspian: Sorry. Just Eli chasing me with a stopwatch, asking
me when I’d open my eyes.
15
Chapter Two
C aspian woke to an empty bed. He sat up as Eli padded

into the room, toweling off his dripping hair. Jeans and a
long-sleeved shirt molded to his strong, lean body.
He wasn’t much of an early bird, which meant Caspian
had slept in.
“Stay right where you are, Cas.”
Caspian rested against the headboard.
Eli slung himself onto the mattress, mirroring him, legs
16
stretched on top of the covers. He leveled solemn eyes on

Caspian.
Caspian had a feeling they were about to pick up where
they’d left off at the diner yesterday. “ACDC?” He gestured to
the print on Eli’s shirt. “Doesn’t that belong to your ex?”
“No, this is not his, and I’d hardly call Percy an ex. We
kissed once.”
“I remember. I saw it.”
“You weren’t meant to.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re attracted to—or not attracted to—
whoever.” In that respect, Caspian fell into the latter category.
Eli had made it clear when they were sixteen and Caspian had
dipped to kiss him at the dance.
Friends. They were friends. Caspian had immediately
blocked himself from ever thinking of Eli like that again.
“Liking is a fluid phenomenon, Cas. It can change.
Evolve in unexpected and frustratingly insurmountable
ways.”
Caspian frowned.
“We’re veering off topic.” Eli’s voice came out hoarse. He
cleared his throat, then wedged Caspian’s gay card from his
pocket. “We never finished our conversation.”
Caspian feigned ignorance. “Which one?”
Eli spared him a look. “I went over what you said in the
shower and it’s bothering me. Why are you worried you’re not
gay enough?”
Caspian ground his head against the headboard, stifling a
groan. His cheeks heated. “I mean, I like guys. At night when I
. . . it’s definitely guys I think of. But, whenever I meet someone
in real life . . .”
He couldn’t say it.
He had to.
This was Eli.
He hauled in a breath and let it out with a whisper, “When
17
ANYTA SUNDAY
I meet someone in real life, zip. Nada. Like I’m broken or

something.”
Eli’s nonjudgmental nod made Caspian’s throat tighten.
God, his best friend was everything.
“Maybe you’re asexual?”
Caspian grew quiet, stomach tightening. “I have desires when
I’m alone, and I’m good when it’s just me, and . . . I do want sex.
But every guy I’ve met so far . . . Maybe we just haven’t clicked?”
“What happened with your Virgo?”
Caspian hugged his knees. “He was the closest I got to . . .
We were naked in his dorm room bed.”
“You didn’t want to go through with it?”
“I couldn’t.”
Eli tensed. “Did he respect that?”
“Well, yes. But I asked him to do it anyway, and he refused.
Once I was dressed he gave me a hug and said we weren’t
meant to be. He wants a partner who’s turned on by him.”
“Okay. So he never actually said you’re not gay enough.”
“It was implied.” Caspian’s chest hurt reliving the moment.
His voice cracked. “I was humiliated, Eli.”
“That doesn’t make you any less gay, Cas. You’re as gay as
you decide. No one else gets a say, you hear me?”
“I hear you.” Still, hearing and believing . . .
“Have you . . . I mean, you’ve said in the past you’ve had
fun with guys. I assumed . . . but have you—”
Caspian buried his burning face in his knees. “No.” God, it
hurt to admit. Tears pushed at the backs of his eyes. “I’m still .
. .”
“Okay.”
Eli’s easy acceptance made tears escape. He blinked them
away and wiped his eyes over his knees before pulling up. “I
don’t want to be, though. Leo’s my last hope.”
“I don’t want to belittle your feelings, but I disagree. You’ve
18
had eleven mismatched partners. There’s a whole world out

there. Not every Virgo or Libra is the same.”
“There also comes a point you have to realize you’re the
common denominator in each failed relationship.”
“Were they?”
“Were they, what?”
“Relationships?”
“I couldn’t do Grindr. It’s not me. I like dating. I want
something real. Lasting.”
Eli nodded, expression thoughtful. Maybe even curious.
“When did you suspect you didn’t fit?”
“Sometimes the first kiss. Sometimes before that. Some‐
times they recognized it.” Caspian ran a hand through his hair.
“Mostly I froze at the mention of returning to their place, or
their room. Always used the same excuse.”
Eli raised his brow.
Caspian dropped his head on Eli’s shoulder, strands of wet
hair tickling him. “I said you were in another time zone, and it
was the only opportunity we had to chat.”
Eli dropped a comforting kiss on his head. “Were there
other signs things weren’t right?”
“I’ll give you my phone. Most of it’s on there.”
“I’m not sure I—”
“Please? Help me figure out where I’m going wrong?”
A sigh sifted through Caspian’s hair. “Whatever you need.”
Eli shifted, patting Caspian’s knee. “But right now, we both
need breakfast.”
Eli’s mom, Natasha, didn’t blink when Caspian followed

Eli into the kitchen. She said a cheery good morning and told
them the muesli was on the fridge. “Also,” she added, grabbing
19
ANYTA SUNDAY
her suit jacket from the dining room chair. “There’s such a
thing as a front door, Caspian.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Natasha met his eye. “You’ll continue sneaking in through
the window, won’t you?”
Caspian smiled. “I place a high value on tradition.”
She snorted. “If you and Eli could join forces to make
dinner, I’d be grateful. Invite your mom, we’ll binge watch
Schitt’s Creek after.”
She left, and Caspian turned back to Eli, who was cutting
banana slices into their muesli bowls, just as Caspian loved it.
“Please tell me once we’ve finished college we’ll move back
here.”
“We’ll move back here.”
“Great. ’Cause your mom is awesome.”
Eli yanked his head up. “I meant, we’ll find an apartment
in the city. We can’t live here.”
“We don’t have to make a decision today.”
Eli shook his head and slid his bowl toward him. “Eat
quick. You still have to dress.”
“On it, babe.”
Caspian and Eli sat on plastic stools behind a booth of

zodiac-themed mugs, candles, and crystals, and huddled close
for warmth. “Maybe if we take turns breathing on each other,
it’ll help.”
“It’ll frost your stubble faster.”
Caspian whimpered. “Fine. I’ll get us another hot
chocolate.”
Eli clutched his elbow before Caspian stood. “When will
you give me your phone so I can pry into your personal life
with legendary objectiveness?”
20
Caspian snickered, and clumsily pulled out his phone. He

bit the finger of his glove, drawing it off, and tapped in his
password. “ELI1. In case you need to unlock again.”
“I’m your password?”
“For everything.”
“Cas . . .”
“Thank you so much, boys!” Mrs. Wallace stood beaming
at them.
Twenty seconds later, they were submerged in a perfume-
scented hug. “Had to pick up my two Leos from the airport
this morning. Theo and Leone are lovesick, poor things. His
girlfriend and her boyfriend left my darlings to be with each
other! I knew his heart would be weighed down by the intensity
of Mercury in Scorpio.” Mrs. Wallace sighed. She’d always
been a freshly opened champagne bottle when it came to chat‐
ter. It poured out of her and never ceased to make Caspian—
or Eli, for those who could spot it—smile. “Despite this sad
state of affairs, they’ll help me this afternoon, so when they
stroll over, consider yourselves free. Although, if you could do
the morning shift tomorrow . . .”
“It’s on our schedule, Mrs. Wallace,” Eli assured her.
“Good. Excellent. Oh, and Cas, my lovely Libra, there are
surprises in store for you this week. Romantically, you may
meet the one, and it could start an intensely intimate relation‐
ship. Your life may change in a big way, if you take the oppor‐
tunities to discover it.”
Cas angled his body toward her. She had his full attention.
“But it’s Saturday already, and so far I’ve only been dumped.”
Mrs. Wallace patted his arm. “The week’s not over yet. Oh,
there’s Theo and Leone.”
The week’s not over yet.
The one.
Intensely intimate relationship.
Everything Caspian had failed to find.
21
ANYTA SUNDAY
If I take the opportunity to discover it? Is there a likelihood I’ll miss

an opportunity?
Not under his watch.
All afternoon he thought about it. While they walked
around the festival booths, as he and Eli headed home, and
during the car ride to buy food for dinner. Twice Eli had to
snap him from his thoughts.
“Strawberry or raspberry?” Annnnd, make that three
times.
“What’s happening in your head, Cas?”
“Sorry. Apricot.”
Eli dropped a jar of jam into their shopping cart.
Caspian lounged against the handlebar. “I think she means
I have to be active.”
“Hmm?”
“I can’t wait for love to come to me. I must seek it.”
Eli dropped the Nutella and caught it against the crotch of
his tight jeans.
Caspian winked. “That could’ve ended in a sticky
situation.”
“Sticky enough without the spread. What do you mean
seek it?”
“I need to find a Leo, Eli. Preferably by tomorrow.”
Caspian frowned. “Wait, do you think it’s fate that Theo was
dumped?”
Eli’s eyes widened. “I hope you’re not going where I think
you’re going with that.”
“Why not? He’s a Leo.”
“He’s also Mrs. Wallace’s son, and I think he’s straight.”
“He might be bi, or pan like you.”
“I wouldn’t want him discovering it with you.”
Caspian cocked his head. “Why not?”
“Because . . . I told you. Mrs. Wallace. It’d be awkward.
22
You’d be the rebound guy, and I don’t want you to ever be the
rebound guy.”
Yeah, neither did Caspian. He wanted something real.
“You’re right.”
Eli settled the Nutella into their cart, frowning. “I under‐
stand why you believe so hard in horoscopes, but . . .”
Caspian swallowed tightly. Horoscopes had predicted every
major event in his life, including his dad . . . “Mom and I lost
him, just like it said.”
“A misfortunate collection of arbitrary words.”
In the back of his head, Caspian knew that.
“What if they aren’t? I can’t pass up true intimacy.”
Plastic cut into Caspian’s palms and his fingers bulged

red. “Okay, that’s the lot. Let’s move. Go.”
Eli shut the trunk, brow furrowed like it had been since the
supermarket. “You could have let me carry some.”
“You paid. I’ve totally got this.” His arms were about to
fall off.
Eli shook himself out of his funk and backed toward the
gate, eying the ten bags. “You could also have collected it in
two trips.”
“I was raised to be charming and stubborn, not smart.”
The cheeky bastard stopped to check the mail.
“Babe!”
Chuckling, Eli pulled out an envelope from the mailbox and
trotted to his front door. Keys jingled. Caspian had almost made it.
He glimpsed the envelope peeking out from under Eli’s
arm, recognized the insignia, and dropped all the groceries to
the porch. “You have mail from Harrison University?”
Eli withdrew the letter. “I have.”
23
ANYTA SUNDAY
“You don’t go to Harrison. I do.”

“You’re lucky you’re so charming.”
“What’s happening, Eli?” Why did Caspian’s heart jump
into his throat?
Eli scooped half of the bags and took them inside.
Caspian grabbed the rest and strode in after him, stopping
first to toe out of his shoes. “Eli!”
Eli set the bags on the island and Caspian did the same.
Nervous blue eyes met his.
“I’ve been considering transferring to graduate school
there.”
“You’ve what?” Caspian scrambled onto the island between
bags, and grabbed Eli by his coat lapels. “You’re coming to
Harrison?”
“Careful, there are eggs in one of those bags.”
Caspian slung his legs either side of Eli and pulled him in
close. His breath caught. “You’re coming to Harrison?”
Eli gave up on the integrity of his groceries. “I want to. If
they accept me as a transfer student.”
Caspian scanned Eli from his rich brown hair to his moose-
print socks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you disappointed if I didn’t get in.”
“Oh, my God. Open it. Open it.”
Eli stared at the envelope and passed it to him. “You
open it.”
Caspian’s mouth dried with nerves; his hands shook. He
ripped into it, pulled out the letter, and—
His heart fell to the pit of his stomach. “Regretfully, we are
unable to accept your application . . .”
“Oh.” Eli stepped back, out of Caspian’s reach, and
palmed his nape.
“This is bullshit,” Caspian declared, glaring at the letter.
“You’re the smartest, most hardworking, diligent, motivated,
24
strong-willed, kind, caring, incredible person I know. Harrison

is wrong. They don’t know what they’re passing up.”
“It’s an elite school, Cas. It was always a long-shot.”
“You are elite. No one holds anything to you—”
“It’ll be okay. It’s only a few more years until we’re done.
Then we’re moving back here.”
The weight of disappointment seeped through the paper,
along with something soft and bright. Something that touched
him deeply. “This meant . . .” He spoke so quietly his voice
cracked. “This means you find it hard. Us, apart?”
One, two steps, and Eli stopped in front of him. “Devastat‐
ingly so.” He curved a finger under his chin and steered Caspi‐
an’s gaze to his serious one. “Are you okay?”
Tenderness flooded him. His smile wobbled. He dropped
the letter to the floor and crushed Eli into a hug. “Yes.”
25
Capricorn: There’s rarely time for sleep.
Caspian: My best friend’s the same. During finals our senior
year, I had to *tackle* him into bed.
Capricorn: Are you offering? ;-)
Caspian: Good luck for your test tomorrow.
26
Caspian: So, aliens.
Aquarius: Such an Aquarian stereotype.
Caspian: Eli thinks, logically, space is so huge they have to
exist.
Aquarius: He’s right. 100% Anyone who doesn’t believe isn’t
doing the math.
Caspian: You and him would get along so good.
Aquarius: Yeah, I don’t think so.
27
Chapter Three
C aspian put the last dry plate away, hung the dish towel,
and peeled the wash gloves off Eli.
“What are our moms doing?” Eli frowned over Caspian’s
shoulder toward the living area.
Heads bent over their phones, their moms traded whispers
and laughs.
“Thick as thieves.” Caspian grinned. “Probably on Tinder
again, searching for husbands.”
28
“Doubtful. Mom says the only other man she’ll allow to

sleep under her roof is you.”
“Curious, and curiouser.” Caspian snagged Eli’s hand,
hooking their middle fingers, and pulled him toward the couch.
Caspian squeezed Eli’s finger and stage whispered, “You
were misinformed, babe. They’re scrolling through potential
dates. Wait, Cupid RoMMance? Mom, those guys are looking
for other guys.”
Their moms shared an eye-rolling smirk.
“We’re searching for your perfect husband,” Natasha said.
“I’ve already vetoed two prospects.”
Mom continued swiping her screen. “She’ll agree with
option three.”
Eli grimaced. “Have you already married me off?”
“You only just broke up with Astrid.” Mom patted his
hand. “We’ll give you time to grieve first.”
“No grieving,” Eli said. “It was a necessary split.”
Natasha didn’t look surprised, but Mom did. “Right. Okay.
In that case, we’ll do you right after.”
Caspian shook his head, amused at their ridiculous antics.
Bent over the couch, he prodded the screen. “Actually, mom.
Could you filter by star sign? Only Leos.”
“Leos?” Natasha looked at him inquisitively, gaze flashing
to Eli and back. “What’s wrong with the other signs?”
“The rest of us have no compatibility,” Eli said dryly.
Caspian tugged his finger, laughing. “No intimate compat‐
ibility.”
Natasha replied to Eli. “Does he know the meaning of
intimate?”
Caspian laughed. “You know, in bed.”
“Oh, so you haven’t shared a bed every night since you
were fourteen?”
Caspian held back a laugh. “You’re going to make me say
it in front of my mom, aren’t you? No sexual spark.”
29
ANYTA SUNDAY
Mom dropped her phone. “I’m done.”

Natasha set a steady gaze on Caspian, earnestness lurking
behind a façade of humor. “Is sex everything?”
“At this juncture,” Eli said, staring tightly at his mom before
looking at Caspian, “I’m going to suggest ice skating?”
Caspian nodded. Fresh air on his suddenly burning cheeks
would be good. “I’ll grab my skates. Meet you out front.”
Stairs creaked as Eli headed upstairs. Caspian palmed the
couch and met Natasha’s gaze. “It’s not everything, but any
potential husband should love me back.”
He kissed his mom on the cheek and hoofed to his house
for his gear.
Twenty minutes later, he and Eli reached the frozen lake.
Skaters whirled in pockets of colored light, and laughter—
along with the spicy scent of mulled wine—weighted the air.
They sat on a bench, breathing in the sweet aroma as they
stuffed their feet into their skates.
Caspian tasted cinnamon in the icy air. “So, like, what do
you think’s better. Night dreaming, or daydreaming?”
Eli hummed thoughtfully. “Night dreaming is interesting,
with your subconscious at work. But there’s less chance of
nightmares with daydreaming.”
“True, but the feelings are less intense during the day.”
“Easier to remember, though.”
Caspian pulled on his laces, side-eying Eli neatly knotting
his. “What was your last proper, stare into thin air, daydream?”
Eli doubled his focus on his other skate. “Living with you.”
“Man, I wish Harrison had worked out. My last one was
bringing a boyfriend to this festival . . . introducing him to
you.”
Eli stood and tested his skates, swiveling in a neat arc, stop‐
ping before Caspian. “Why all the dream talk?”
“Guess I’ve been dreaming a lot lately.”
“What about?”
30
“One was about a giant, fluffy spider that was friendly like
a teddy bear. We were too scared it might turn on us and suck
all our blood out, so we tried to kill it. But it had feelings, you
know? It got away, and was sad. He’d lost all his friends, like no
one loved him, and I woke up feeling depressed. I wanted to
make him feel better, take care of him, love him. But I am liter‐
ally petrified of spiders, you know? I still feel guilty.”
“Oh, Cas.” Eli pulled him from the bench. “I . . . You . . .”
That quiet, glittering gaze beamed into Caspian. “I’ve been
dreaming vividly, too. Last night . . .”
Eli skated ahead and Caspian raced to catch up to him.
“Last night?”
“We were at the diner.”
“We? I’m in your dream?”
“Generally the definition of we.”
“Could’ve been the grand ‘we’. As in we human folk.”
Eli slanted him a sarcastic look. “Yes. We human folk was
at the diner.”
Caspian snickered. “Fine. You and me, at the diner. What
were you wearing?”
“Does that matter?”
“Absolutely. I need all the details.”
“Not just the relevant ones?”
“God, you’re flustered.” Eli halted and Caspian circled
him, coming to a slow stop. “Were you naked?”
Eli tugged on his woolen hat, holding his chin with dignity.
“I don’t know, but I had all of your attention.”
“Doesn’t narrow it down much, you always have my atten‐
tion. What happened in this dream?”
“Nothing outrageous. We ate, and talked, and it was . . .
nice. I woke up thinking I wanted to do that.” Eli’s eyes met
his. “What do you think?”
“About eating out and talking with you?”
“Yes.”
31
ANYTA SUNDAY
“As long as no friendly spiders tag along and test my

humanity, it’s a dream that should come true.”
Eli’s mouth moved into a wide, dimpled arc.
Jesus. “Any more dreams I can make come true?”
Eli skated away, and Caspian chased him. They flew over
ice, competing who could circle the lake faster, better. Snow
began to drift from the sky and slowly the last skaters cleared
out.
Caspian and Eli changed into their winter boots and slung
their skates over their shoulders. They meandered through
quiet neighborhood streets, cups of mulled wine warming their
gloved hands, admiring the festive decorations and relishing
the gentle fall of snow.
Eli kept glancing at him, breath hitching, as if he wanted to
say something.
Caspian snagged his gaze on the next attempt. “Yeah?”
Eli hid behind a sip. “This tastes delicious.”
“Not buying it.”
“Not buying what?”
“Delicious? Really?”
“It is.”
Caspian narrowed his eyes. “There’s something else you
want to say.”
Eli stopped walking and faced him. Warm amber lamplight
haloed one side of Eli’s face. His sincere gaze met Caspian’s.
“Your texts. I noticed a commonality in them.”
Caspian stared at the dark surface of his wine. “I think I
figured it out.”
“You did?”
Heat rode up Caspian’s throat, jaw. “Yeah. I’m always
talking about you?”
Eli inclined his head, flushing. “I find it endearing.”
“Just not any of my past dates.”
32
“No, not your past ones.” Eli searched his eyes, and
Caspian ducked his head.
His voice came out raspy. “I’ll make sure I don’t do that
with Leo.”
He pivoted away and strode through the cold the rest of the
way home. Eli remained a step behind him, quiet. Caspian
hoped this wouldn’t lead to a repeat of that heart-wrenching
conversation they’d had at the dance. He knew where they stood.
At his gate, he paused, glancing at Eli. “Um. I’ll drop these
off.”
“I’ll keep my window open.”
Relief flooded through him. “Thanks, Eli.”
Caspian’s mom caught him tiptoeing through the house.

“You’re not in trouble.”
“I didn’t want to wake you if you were asleep.”
She shook her head. “How old do you take me for? I just
returned from Natasha’s.”
She beckoned him into the kitchen for a hot chocolate and
a chat, and Caspian texted Eli that he’d need a while.
Eli: Sounds good. Twenty minutes?

Caspian: More like forty. She has lecture written over her
face.
Eli: Good luck.
Caspian: I’ll hurry, then PJs, and crawl over.
Eli: PJs are a new development.
Caspian: You know how I used to have abs?
Eli: Distinctly.
Caspian: Freshman five happened.
33
ANYTA SUNDAY
Eli: You’re not a freshman.

Caspian: So senior five happened.
“You’d think you two had enough time to chat all day,”
his mom said.
Caspian stuffed the phone away. “There’s never enough
time.”
She ran a hand through her short, dark hair. “The thing is,
Natasha agreed with my third choice of husband for you.”
Caspian snorted. “I’m thrilled you’re not in charge of my
love life. But um, is he a Leo?”
She sipped her hot chocolate, set it down, and shook her
head.
“What sign is he then?”
“Signs aren’t people, love—” Her phone rang, and she
leaped off her chair. Five minutes later, she was out the house,
and Caspian was left washing their mugs.
Such was the life of an on-call doctor.
He showered and jumped into flannel, then halted at the
window. Through a gap in Eli’s drawn curtains, Caspian could
see Eli standing at the foot of his bed in soft light; with graceful
ease, he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it. His
fingers flew to his jeans. Inch by inch, he drew them over his
firm ass. He sat on the bed, turned toward the window, and
freed his legs.
Caspian’s breath stalled over the planes and contours of
Eli’s chest, arms, shoulders. Lean but strong, his posture sharp,
every move precise. Just like him.
A whirlwind of emotion stirred in Caspian’s gut. He jerked
his head away, opened the window, and let the icy air slither
around him.
34
Pisces: There’s nothing real between us.
Caspian: Maybe it grows with time?
Pisces: Sorry, darling. But I think your heart is elsewhere.
35
Aries: So, what happened last night?
Caspian: Just got tired.
36
Chapter Four
I n a warm shaft of morning light, Caspian dabbed blood

from Eli’s scraped cheekbone. They sat on stools behind
their unopened booth, and Eli’s pensive expression hadn’t
waned.
Caspian shook his head, sighing. “I can’t believe you fell
over Mr. Garcia’s cat.”
“He trotted in front of me. He’s supposed to be an indoor
37
ANYTA SUNDAY
cat. I wasn’t expecting him. If he’d yowled a second earlier . .

.”
“Quite the yowl.”
“Cat’s got lungs.”
Caspian tucked the bloodied tissue into his pocket, smirk‐
ing. “So do you.”
“I was startled, Cas. In fact, I’m fairly sure if our positions
had been reversed, you’d have uttered a fair few colorful
words.”
“I tried to warn you he was there,” Caspian said, still bewil‐
dered, definitely amused. “But you were frowning at me.”
“Not you. The sign you brought.”
Caspian patted the thin board resting against his stool.
“I’m taking action. Becoming the master of my own future.”
“You’re inviting all single Leos to stop and chat you up.”
“Do you think any will come?”
Eli lifted his tight gaze from the handmade sign. “Yes.”
“Do you think any will stay?”
“How could they not?”
Caspian flushed under his scarf.
“You’re spontaneous, enthusiastic, and fun. Friendly, play‐
ful, and clever. Astoundingly optimistic and enviably
idealistic.”
Caspian channeled his pleased embarrassment into settling
his sign at the front of the booth.
Eli continued, voice husky. “Not to mention gorgeously tall
and broad and beautiful.”
Caspian’s sign crashed, and he lurched to pick up the fallen
merchandise. Despite all the compliments they regularly gave
one another, Caspian could count on one hand the times Eli
had ever used gorgeous and beautiful.
One. He’d used them once. Right now.
His belly hopped. Eli’s pinched expression was directed
into empty space.
38
Eli rose from his stool, abruptly. “I need a drink. Hot

chocolate for you, too?”
Caspian agreed and watched Eli leave, head bent, hands
buried in his coat pockets.
Morning sales started off slow but picked up around ten.
After a second drink—Caspian’s shout this time—a heavy-
browed, not unattractive man in his late teens rocked up and
jerked a finger at the sign. “I’m a single gay Leo, who’s
looking?”
Caspian blinked. At his side, Eli shifted tightly.
“Uh, me,” Caspian said. “I’m looking.”
Teen Leo stared in disbelief. “No way. You’re gay?”
“Why not?”
“I mean . . . there was a jock like you who stuffed me into a
waste container.”
“That’s shitty, man. But yeah, I’m gay.”
“No way.”
“Do I need to show you my gay card? Because I have one.”
Caspian held out his hand to Eli. “Where is it?”
Eli rolled his eyes. “It’s a library card.”
“A beautiful rainbow colored one. Pass it over.”
“I don’t have it on me.”
“Great. Now how am I supposed to prove to this kid I’m
legit gay?”
Teen Leo’s eyes ping-ponged between Caspian and Eli.
“Do you have to prove it?” Eli whispered, leaning in.
Caspian leaned in, too. A cozy cocoon of fogged breath.
“Babe, my pride is at stake.”
Eli’s brow arched, poor scrape on his cheek lifting. “Pun
intended?”
“Of course.”
Eli’s eyes glittered with a smile, and his lips quirked. His
hand landed on Caspian’s shoulder; the slide of fingers over his
nape had shivers stealing into his stomach.
39
ANYTA SUNDAY
Caspian’s gaze lifted to Eli’s a moment before soft lips

brushed his. The tantalizingly light touch cascaded through
him. He gasped.
Eli’s whisper tickled his upper lip. “Want me to help?”
Caspian gulped, and nodded, and Eli dragged his not-quite
kiss over the seam of his mouth and lingered.
Caspian cupped Eli’s face and pressed their lips firmly
together. He tasted the tang of chocolate, and parted his lips
for more.
Eli slotted perfectly into the kiss, and one of them groaned
when their tongues slid sensuously together.
Slowly, Eli kissed him, and all thoughts fled Caspian’s mind
except for how easy this felt. Natural.
A low noise rumbled from Caspian’s throat, and Eli pulled
back smartly. Flushed, pupils blown wide. He straightened,
pulling at his lapels, and turned toward their audience.
Because of course, this was a show.
Caspian swallowed hard and faced Teen Leo—
He startled. Teen Leo wasn’t there. In his place stood a
pretty, trim guy Caspian recognized from high school art class.
“Flynn.”
Flynn scrubbed a palm over his stubbly jaw and wicked
smirk. “The other guy fucked off. But you kept my attention.”
He eyed them both. “Are you two . . .”
Eli jerked—uncomfortable at the insinuation?—and Caspian
rubbed the ghost of his touch at his shoulder. “No,” He said
firmly. “We were teaching the ignorant. How’ve things been?”
Flynn dived into a quick summary of where life had taken
him since they finished high school. “. . . and I’ve been running
Flora Point. A single, ultra-gay Leo.” He winked.
Between Flynn’s blatant leer and Eli’s grimace at every
mention of horoscopes and star signs, Caspian’s nerves fritzed.
He barked a nervous laugh.
40
Flynn nodded to the ice skaters. “Want to head out on the

ice tonight? I live”—he pointed vaguely toward the cute row of
neighborhood shops—“atop Flora Point. We can do dinner
after, get more acquainted.”
Caspian did not miss Flynn’s eyes scrolling down his body.
His stomach knotted. Was this it? The intense intimacy Libra
might find by the end of the week?
Might he finally find the spark? Enough to . . .
But if it didn’t work . . .
His stomach twisted.
Eli’s impassive face stared at a candle with Libra scales.
“What do you think?” Flynn said. “I’ll pick you up.”
Caspian nodded, wiping his palms over his coat. “It’s a
date.”
“Hmm.” Eli pressed his hands on his hips and sized him up.
“It’s been a while.”
“A few years?”
“Twelve months. When you met Jackson and wanted me to
choose the best shirt that went with your eyes. Apparently that
also meant prancing before me naked.”
Caspian clutched the towel around his neck, mildly flus‐
tered at Eli’s appraisal. He stood on a rug in his bedroom,
rivulets of water from his shower dribbling down his stomach,
thighs. His cock hung gently plumped from a neat patch of
pubic hair. His abs were gone, but his stomach was mostly flat.
Tapered enough, right? His toes curled into the soft rug. “I
trust you. You’d never laugh at me, but you’re also honest. Am
I acceptable?”
Eli’s blue eyes appeared darker, deeper. “To show up to
your date wearing nothing?” He paced the opposite side of the
41
ANYTA SUNDAY
rug, limbs flexing in his tight jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt.

“No.”
“You know what I mean. If we . . . Am I attractive enough?
Senior five and all?”
Eli glanced away. “I don’t know what you’re supposed to do
about it before dinner if you weren’t.”
“Does that mean I am? Or . . .?”
Eli refused to make eye contact. “You’re putting far too
much importance on looks. Shouldn’t tonight be about getting
to know him? With clothes on?”
“I want to be prepared for all possibilities.”
Eli stopped pacing. His jaw twitched. “I’m uncomfortable
checking you out for another guy.”
“Oh.” Caspian whipped the towel from his neck and
pooled it at his crotch. Heat shot to his cheeks, and his chest
twisted. It wasn’t embarrassment. Worse than that. Disappoint‐
ment. They were open with each other about everything. No
matter what.
Weren’t they? “Yeah. Sorry.”
Eli crossed the rug to him, finally meeting his eyes. He
looked pained, sad. “Don’t misunderstand me.” He rubbed his
temples. “I’ve been feeling off all day.”
Caspian swallowed thickly. “Not because of your fall,
right?”
“Not because of my fall.”
“That kiss.”
“Yes.”
“It didn’t mean anything.”
“It didn’t?” Was that relief ? For once, Caspian couldn’t tell.
Or, he couldn’t trust himself to tell. His stomach flipped and
twisted.
A phone rang, startling them both. Eli’s.
Caspian grabbed a pair of boxer-briefs and shoved them
on. Jeans came next.
42
Eli let the phone ring before he sighed and answered,

“Astrid, hi. . . . yeah, I’m home . . .” Caspian caught a furtive
side-eye in his direction. “Nope, no plans. . . . okay, sure. See
you then.”
Eli hung up. “Astrid’s on her way over. She’s got some
things of mine to return.”
Caspian paused, T-shirt in hand. “Do you need me to stay?
For support?”
“I think that would complicate things.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Oh. Caspian pulled on his shirt and flattened the hem at
his hips. Eli watched him. He wished he saw wistfulness.
“You look nice,” Eli said.
Caspian’s throat tightened. “You don’t need to say that to
make me feel better.”
“When have I ever said something I don’t mean with one
hundred percent conviction?”
A small chuckle wheezed out of him. “True.”
“I better head back. Astrid said she’s close.” Eli hitched a
thumb over his shoulder, and pivoted brusquely.
“See you after?”
Eli ducked through his window onto the ladder, not looking
back. “See you after.”
“We’re here,” Caspian said, startled to find they’d

reached the lake.
“Well, I’m here,” Flynn said.
The Leo wore a thick black coat zipped to a golden-brown
scarf wrapped like a mane. He stood proudly. Attractive and
not quite modest enough not to know it. “What does that
mean?”
43
ANYTA SUNDAY
Flynn smiled gently. “You’ve hmm’d and ahh’d everything

I’ve said the whole way here, but I’m not sure you know what
you’ve been hmming and ahhing.”
“Something about squirrels acting weird at night.”
A sigh. “The forest alley we passed through—one night
there I met a squirrelly man talking to trees. Weird as hell.”
“Oh.”
“You’re somewhere else, Caspian.”
He wasn’t wrong. He’d been somewhere else since talking
to Eli. Since their kiss. Since they’d first met. “Here’s the thing,
Flynn.”
Flynn groaned, rolling his head back toward the dark,
starry sky.
“What?” Caspian said.
“Nothing good ever comes from ‘Here’s the thing, insert-
full-name.’”
“That’s not true. What if I said, ‘Here’s the thing, Flynn.
I’ve been waiting for you for my whole life.’”
“Was that what you wanted to tell me?”
“No.”
Flynn rolled his hand for Caspian to continue.
Caspian winced and tugged his hat over his ears. “Here’s
the thing. Whenever I date anyone, I constantly bring up Eli.
Not consciously, but he’s always there, lurking in every answer I
ever give. You tell me about squirrels, and I’ll think about the
time Eli freaked out when one climbed in through his bedroom
window. You tell me I’m somewhere else, and I think
daydreams. Eli and me and all us human folk in the diner.”
Puzzlement creased Flynn’s face.
“I don’t try to think of him, I just do. It’s stopped me
committing to anyone else.”
“Right,” Flynn said slowly. “Are you telling me this to be
transparent? Because you want that to change?”
Could he change?
44
Not sure. Probably, if he worked at it hard enough.

Did he want to change?
Not for all the sex—or any sex—in the world.
The realization punched into him, spreading warm, flut‐
tery sensations through his veins. He shook his head.
“Oh.”
“I don’t want it to change,” he said aloud, laughing at its
simplicity.
Flynn shrugged. “Is this the end of our date?”
“It’d be a shittier date if it wasn’t.”
“Fair, fair.” Flynn pinned him with a look. “So here’s a
question for you.”
“Listening.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
45
Taurus: You’re not relaxed in bed.
Caspian: Your mattress is heavenly.
Taurus: Or you have a paper due in the morning. Or a run
you need to take. Or your friend is calling you from across the
country. You’re not busy, Caspian. You’re evading.
46
Gemini: So, like, I love people.
Caspian: You’re the most extroverted guy I’ve met.
Gemini: But, like, is it a deal breaker if I don’t meet this Eli
friend?
47
Chapter Five
C aspian hoofed home, stride long, daydreaming to his

heart’s content. He pictured the way he’d burst into Eli’s
room and tell him how useless dating was, when all he wanted
was him.
His step slowed. And then what?
Eli had read all his texts and pieced Caspian’s problem
together. He was clever, intuitive. He had to know.
Oh, hell. Of course he knew.
48
Was Eli dreading this conversation? Planning how to

discuss their boundaries? Would he apologize for confusing
their friendship with that kiss?
The thought made him ache. This declaration would
change the course of their friendship.
Should he still do it?
How could he not? They both knew anyway. The elephant
in the room must be acknowledged, no matter how much it
stung.
He cut through the neighboring cul-de-sac where Mrs.
Wallace lived, passed through the forest alley, and crossed the
park. His stomach knotted.
This was it.
He would climb into Eli’s room, sit on his bed, and tell him
why he couldn’t connect intimately with anyone. It had nothing
to do with signs. Those were a crutch. A way of fooling himself
into hoping someone like Eli would come along. But that was
impossible. There was no other Eli.
He’d look Eli in the eye and tell him. For Caspian, sex and
emotion were intertwined.
He’d never felt comfortable enough to get physical with
anyone, even when he wanted to. He was missing that close‐
ness, that core-deep trust and familiarity he had with Eli.
Maybe Eli couldn’t return his feelings sexually—hell,
maybe Caspian still couldn’t function either—but they had a
relationship. A good one.
He wanted that.
He wanted Eli to want that.
Caspian picked up his pace as he turned onto their street.
He was about to open his door when his mom yanked it open,
bag slung over her shoulder. Another medical emergency.
“Will you be back before breakfast?” Caspian said, hugging
her tightly. She smelled clean, like she’d just showered.
“God, I hope so. I’m sorry, love. I’m off after tomorrow.
49
ANYTA SUNDAY
We’ll make sure we spend quality time together. Me and you—

and Eli.” She chuckled, and Caspian swallowed.
“I hope so.”
She kissed his cheek and flew off toward her car.
Coat, scarf, and boots removed, Caspian mounted the
stairs with nerve-wrecking hope. He checked himself in his
mirror. Jeans and the shirt Eli had said he looked good in.
He breathed out. Okay. Yeah.
Let’s do this.
He reached his window, pressed his palms against the cold
pane, and froze.
Eli was standing in his room, back to Caspian. Astrid’s
arms were wrapped around his neck lovingly. They’d . . .
made up?
Wasn’t she supposed to be returning his belongings?
Leaving?
Let go of him.
Astrid lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
A guttural gasp escaped Caspian as hurt bled through his
body. He jerked away from the window and slumped on the
bed. His room blurred and his eyes and throat stung.
The air grew heavier, darker. The house, quieter. He curled
up on the bed he hadn’t slept on in years; the bedside clock,
green numbers glowing, ticked away the minutes, hours. Past
midnight. One.
His phone buzzed.
Caspian screwed his eyes shut. Eli.
He gripped his phone as he read.
Eli: I suppose this means you’re having a good time?

• • •
50
He shut his eyes. Would he have to smile, pretend to be

okay? His throat closed. How?
Hot tears leaked. Everything ached. He thought of Astrid
kissing Eli, and jealousy burned fiercely. Did he answer?
Could he?
He tried, deleted, tried and failed again.
He yelled into his pillow and tossed his phone across
the bed.
He didn’t answer.
Didn’t sleep the rest of the night.
His mom returned around eight in the morning; Caspian

slunk to the bathroom and then downstairs to meet her in the
kitchen.
She looked dead on her feet. Probably similar to Caspian,
all rumpled in last night’s clothes.
He set the water to boil and pulled down two mugs for tea.
“Thanks, love.” She took her tea, frowning. “This is
strange.”
“Me making you tea?”
“You home so early in the morning.”
Caspian stared at his mug, throat closing on itself like it
had all night.
“Oh dear, are you okay?”
A tight laugh ripped up his throat. “I’m pretty sure I’m
asexual and I’m definitely sure I’m in love with my best friend,
and I think he’s getting back with his ex, so, no. I’m not okay.”
“Oh, Cas. Honey.” She wrapped him in a motherly,
accepting hug. “I love you.”
He hugged her back, chest heaving as he fought a sob. “I’m
afraid my feelings will mess up our friendship. Turn Eli away.”
“No. I don’t believe that.”
51
ANYTA SUNDAY
“I don’t know if I can stand watching him fall in love with

someone else. Astrid or whoever the next person is.”
“Oh, darling.”
“I know there’s nothing you can say. Nothing you can do.
But I wish there was.”
The doorbell rang.
Eli?
He untangled himself from their hug and raced for the
door.
He flung it open, and met Natasha’s grim gray stare. “So
you’re not dead.”
He sniffed. “What?”
“You’re usually at our place for breakfast, and Eli looks like
he cried all night. My son never cries.”
Caspian stilled, heart and stomach sinking inside him.
“Jesus,” Natasha said, “you look almost as bad as he does.”
His hands shook. Eli was crying all night? So close, and
Caspian didn’t know it? “Where is he?”
“He went back to bed.”
To cry more?
Caspian twisted and took the stairs three at a time.
52
Cancer: Why don’t you come over for some freshly baked
cookies and we talk about it?
Caspian: Well, the cookies sound good.
Cancer: Lol. I hope this means we can stay friends.
53
Leo: Sorry it didn’t work out for us. How did things go
with Eli?
54
Chapter Six
C aspian shoved open his bedroom window and climbed

through the glittering morning across the frost-laced
ladder. Every icicle made him think of frozen tears, of Eli, of
selfishly indulging in his own feelings and not thinking of his.
They’d never been a night apart when they were both in
the same time zone.
Even during the year he was with Astrid, Eli always
returned in time for him. Them.
55
ANYTA SUNDAY
Fuck.
Eli’s window was shut. For a pained moment, he thought
it was locked, but ice snapped and the frame rumbled
upwards.
Relief, guilt, fear, and hurt collided in the swirling mess
inside his head and heart. He scurried over the sill as Eli bolted
upright in his bed.
They stared at one another.
Eli’s hair spiked in all directions, crease marks from his
pillow cutting into his cheek, one of Caspian’s T-shirts swal‐
lowing him to the hip.
He thought he’d lost that T-shirt.
Eli’s beautiful blue eyes were puffed and red. Oh. “Babe . .
.”
Eli swung out of bed and held his head high. Determina‐
tion seeping through him, building with every step—but there,
that flicker in his eyes—
Eli was nervous.
Afraid.
Just like Caspian.
Caspian gripped the windowsill either side of him, and Eli
stopped before him, a trembling wall of warmth. His eyes fixed
on Caspian’s shoulder.
A long exhale trickled out of him. “Was he gentle?”
Gentle?
Oh.
Desperately, Caspian reached for Eli’s hand, heart pound‐
ing. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and he shook his
head. “I couldn’t go through with the date, Eli.”
Glistening blue eyes lifted to his, swirling with confusion.
“Why not?”
Words weren’t adequate. They were fumbling and
awkward, and he couldn’t concentrate on them, when—
His hand skated up Eli’s nape and steered him close. A soft
56
gasp drizzled over Caspian’s nose before the burst of heat from
their lips.
He kissed Eli.
He kissed Eli with a thumping heart.
He touched his waist, a question, and Eli crumpled
between his parted thighs.
Caspian whimpered into the familiar feel of Eli pressed
against him. He pulled back to meet Eli’s gaze. Surprised and
awed, just like he felt. God, he hoped he wasn’t dreaming. He
swallowed roughly. “Astrid? I saw you kissing.”
A slew of emotion passed over Eli’s face. Understanding
creased his brow. “A goodbye kiss, Cas. From her to me. That
was all.”
His stomach lurched with butterflies and he blinked rapidly.
“Really?”
Eli’s lips brushed over Caspian’s, a perfect answer.
Caspian tightened his hold, as if the moment might slip
away at any second.
As if he could live in it forever.
Their breaths hitched, their noses bumped, their teeth
clashed. They stopped and started and continued. Eli tasted
like salty tears and Caspian continued until he tasted of him.
Cool air slid into the room, and Eli shivered in his arms.
Caspian stood, clutching Eli close, one hand shoving the
window shut.
It was awkward and clumsy, but Caspian couldn’t let Eli go.
Eli laughed, and kissed him, and tugged him toward
the bed.
They landed on top of the covers, face to face, and Eli
curled his leg around Caspian’s hip.
Caspian clasped Eli’s thigh and squeezed, their gazes
drinking each other in. A thousand times they’d shared this
bed. A thousand times they’d held each other close. Everything
about the moment was familiar, yet shockingly new.
57
ANYTA SUNDAY
Caspian kissed him again. “This is . . .”

“Yes,” Eli murmured into his mouth.
“What is happening?”
Eli cupped his cheek and peered into his eyes. “I like to
think, the inevitable.”
“Inevitable?”
“We’ve been in a relationship a long time, Cas.”
Caspian felt in his bones the truth of those words, but
hearing them aloud dizzied him.
“Astrid made me acknowledge it. She didn’t want to be a
third wheel in our relationship.”
Our relationship. “Because we called each other?”
Eli spared him a look. “Every day. Sometimes for hours.”
“Best friends do that too.”
“I never wanted to say goodbye.”
Caspian found Eli’s hand and tangled their fingers together.
“Me neither.”
“I applied to Harrison.” Eli’s throat jutted with a swallow. “I
needed to be near you.”
“How long have you had these feelings, Eli?”
“Unacknowledged? Probably for as long as I can
remember.”
Caspian rolled onto his back, their fingers sliding apart.
“But the dance. When I tried to kiss you. You made it clear you
didn’t want anything like that to happen between us.”
“I was sixteen, Cas. You were the first boy I’d ever crushed
on and I didn’t know how to handle it. We were best friends, I
didn’t want that to change. Then you lost your dad, and you
needed me for support, not . . . complicating things. I valued
our friendship above anything else, and since then, I’ve been
petrified of ruining us. It was easier to hide behind the best
friend label.”
Caspian’s chest heaved. “What changed? Other than Astrid
making you acknowledge it.”
58
“The intensity of my feelings for you won’t stop grow‐

ing”—Eli’s voice cracked—“I can’t quell them anymore.” Lips
pressed against Caspian’s cheek. “And I don’t want to.”
Caspian turned his head, soaking in the earnestness of Eli’s
expression.
Eli continued, hoarsely, “Something else changed, too.”
Caspian rolled on his side and resettled Eli’s leg around his
hip. He rubbed his thumb in circles over his outer thigh. “What
else?”
“Leo.” Eli shut his eyes, jaw twitching. “I’ve never been so
painfully jealous.” He reopened his eyes and held Caspian’s
gaze. “I’m okay never having sex if it means we can keep what
we have. But I am not okay with someone else making love to
you.”
Caspian blinked, lashes damp against his skin. He pressed a
sobbing kiss to his mouth. “I thought . . . you didn’t want to
look at me naked.”
“I wanted to look too much.”
“You did?”
“I was achingly hard, Cas. I was afraid you’d notice.” Eli
sighed. “I hated imagining Flynn touching you.”
Caspian kissed him again, reassuring Eli he wanted him
and always had. “I have loved you forever.”
“I wasn’t sure if you still . . . you were adamant that Virgo
and you could never be . . . but I was your password—”
“—All of my passwords.”
“—and I hoped.”
Caspian rolled on top of Eli, kissing him joyously, reveling
in the new sensation of Eli, hard against his thigh. They kissed,
and laughed, and kissed, and Caspian loved the feel of Eli’s
arms tightening around his neck. Loved his slackened expres‐
sion, his eyes darkened with arousal.
Playfulness met sincerity in Eli’s charming kisses, and each
one built powerfully in Caspian’s chest.
59
ANYTA SUNDAY
Eli kissed nice, dry, lingering kisses across his lips, over his
jaw and down his sensitive neck. Caspian loved the lack of
tongue, the pressure, the rasp, the tight smacks. Kissing had
never felt so comfortable and right.
Caspian nuzzled into Eli’s neck and inhaled deeply, and Eli
squirmed.
“Tickles?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes,” Eli breathed out.
Caspian rested his lips at the juncture of Eli’s shoulder and
neck and whispered, “What if we lose the clothes, and you
make love to me?”
Eli lifted Caspian’s head up and palmed his cheek, meeting
his eyes. “We don’t have to.”
Caspian gently rocked his hips against Eli’s hard length,
and whispered, “And if I want to?”
He was gently aroused, not hard, not soft. Eli under him
felt good, and his heart yearned to be closer. His voice trem‐
bled, “Even if I don’t . . . Will you do it anyway?”
Eli lifted up and captured Caspian’s bottom lip in a sensual
kiss. “Yes.”
Relief shuddered through him and emotion balled in his
throat. “You will?”
“I don’t need you hard to know that you’re attracted to me.
I can feel it in your kiss, in the way you hold me. I can see it in
your eyes. I trust you, Caspian. I’ll listen when you tell me you
want something, and I’ll listen when you tell me you don’t.”
Caspian collapsed onto him, trying not to fucking sob. “I
want to, Eli.”
“Me too.”
Their next kiss was slow, soft, and Eli rolled Caspian onto
his back and straddled him.
“I do have one request, first?” Eli said.
60
Caspian nodded. “Anything.”

Eli climbed off him and gestured Caspian to get up.
Caspian raised a brow.
“I’m starving, and I recall you promising me a date at the
diner.”
Caspian palmed his head. “That dream was a date.”
Eli laughed and his whole body lit up, and Caspian vowed
to take him on all the dates.
He opened the window. “Give me ten minutes.”
Caspian picked Eli up at his front door with a plastic

rose from one of his mom’s fake bouquets.
Eli blushed, then awkwardly dashed inside to put it some‐
where. He drove them to the diner, and Caspian paid for their
sandwiches and led them to their table near the window.
They stripped their coats and sat down, grinning. “So. Let’s
eat.”
“And talk,” Eli reminded him, eyes twinkling.
“Let’s eat and talk.” Caspian bit into his chicken sandwich.
Food definitely helped re-energize him. “Do you still have my
gay card?”
Eli drew the library card from his pocket.
Caspian smirked. “You carry it around?”
“Every day.”
“Why didn’t you let Teen Leo see it?”
Eli played with the sandwich crust. “I felt territorial.” He
looked over. “Also, I wanted to kiss you.”
Delight cascaded through him. “This is the best date ever.
Go back to territorial.”
Eli snorted and rolled his eyes.
After sandwiches, they bought puddings. One spoonful had
Caspian cringing.
61
ANYTA SUNDAY
Eli spat his out. “Yeah, I’m returning these.”

Caspian reached out, stopping him.
“Come on, Cas. This one we can’t let slide.”
“I know.” Caspian stood and took the tray. “But I should
do it.”
Eli cocked his head. “You hate confrontation.”
“Yeah, but I want you to know, I’d do it for you.”
62
Eli: You don’t have to check yourself out in the mirror. You’re
perfect.
Caspian: Have you perved on me through the window
before?
Eli: . . .
63
Chapter Seven
“
Y ou have,” Caspian said, climbing into Eli’s room.
“Not intentionally,” Eli scored a hand through his
hair. “But I didn’t stop watching, either.”
“Since when?”
“The first time? Just before that unfortunate kiss with
Percy.”
Caspian sulked at the name, and Eli pulled him to the bed
64
beside him. “I needed to know if the feelings could shift to

another guy. They couldn’t. I hate that you caught us.”
“I hated him for years after that,” Caspian murmured.
“Not that he knew. In my head. I hated him.”
Eli chuckled and kissed him, and Caspian agreed to let the
past slide. “You said that was the first time you perved on me.
Was there another?”
“Another few. Passing glimpses that stalled me for a few
seconds, before I turned away.”
“I watched you too, Saturday night.”
Eli looked surprised. Pleased?
“You were getting ready for bed, and . . .” Caspian took his
hand, skin sliding together. “You are really hot, babe.”
“I love it when you call me that.”
Eli kissed him, the slide of his tongue against Caspian’s
making him shiver. Slowly, Caspian drew off Eli’s T-shirt, and
Eli returned the favor. Careful fingers explored Caspian’s chest
hair, drew circles around his nipples, hardening them.
Caspian kissed him through it. Nervous, excited. Those
blue eyes were dark with desire, and God, Caspian wanted to
give him every pleasure.
His shaky hands pulled Eli’s zipper down inch by inch. Eli
gasped as his hard cock pushed free from his jeans.
Caspian gripped Eli’s shaft and rubbed the head of his
erection through the damp cotton of his briefs.
Caspian stirred.
Eli didn’t mask his responses. He let them flow freely.
Gasps, guttural pleas for Caspian to undress. Caspian shyly
took off his jeans and briefs, and Eli did the same.
They stared at each other. Eli stretched across his bed, lean,
wiry, flexing with strength. His cock strained toward his belly,
and he cupped a hand loosely around his balls. “Lie next to me?”
Caspian crawled over the bed, skin tight, flushed, and lay
65
ANYTA SUNDAY
on his side. He propped his head on an elbow and admired Eli.

He swallowed, voice raw. “I am turned on by you.”
“I know.” Eli rolled on his side. “Can I . . .”
“Yes.” Caspian took Eli’s hand and pressed him to
himself.
Eli touched him carefully, and looked him in the eyes. No
judgment, but curious.
Caspian nodded. “It feels good.”
“Is it better when you touch yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Do it as much as you feel comfortable.”
“I still might not get . . .”
Eli kissed him. “Okay.”
“You’ll still . . .?”
Eli dragged his lips over Caspian’s jaw to his ear. “I can’t
wait to be deep inside you, Cas. You and me, that’s all that
matters.”
And it’s all that did.
Eli touched him tenderly, opened him with a generous
amount of lube, and met every kiss Caspian begged for.
Caspian spread his thighs and angled his hips to receive
him, and Eli snapped on a rubber and wedged himself into
position, skin to glorious skin. His cock teased Caspian’s
entrance, bumping at his ring, and Caspian’s heart thundered
in his chest.
He swallowed thickly, and Eli laced their fingers together.
“I’m ready, Eli,” Caspian whispered.
Their palms met tightly as Eli pressed into him. Pain had
him clenching, and Eli stopped. “Cas?”
Caspian let out a breath and pumped his fingers. “Keep
going, babe.”
Inch by inch, Eli stretched him, filled him. He gasped when
was fully seated, and Caspian felt his tremor.
He steered Eli’s face to look at him, and the desire cresting
66
Eli’s face pumped through Caspian. That he could give Eli this
...
“You feel amazing around me,” Eli murmured. “Can I—”
Caspian swiveled his hips, giving him all permission. Eli
sank into him again. His groan had Caspian touching himself.
He still couldn’t quite, but it was nice.
Nicer was the feeling of Eli letting loose, thrusting and
burrowing into him. It burned him with fierce pride and
protectiveness. Each moan, each uttered God, Cas had him reel‐
ing, had him wanting to give Eli more.
He met every thrust, and Eli’s shaft slicked in and out
harder, faster, like he was lost in ecstasy. Their body heat
seeped together, an intimate cocoon, Eli’s ragged breath on his
neck . . .
That he could turn his serious, put-together friend into a
puddle of mumbling desire . . . That Eli trusted him and could
expose himself completely . . . That Eli would stop if Caspian
asked . . . He felt powerful, safe and loved, and his heart
swelled with each meeting of their hips.
Eli groaned, and kissed his collarbone. “You feel so good,
Cas.”
Caspian wrapped his legs around Eli’s hips and whispered
for him to take everything he needed. Felt the raw need in Eli’s
heated gaze like it was his own.
Caspian touched himself with fast, practiced fingers until
he came in a gentle rush of warmth, and Eli cried out in
gasping pleasure, clutching Caspian’s hand hard as his orgasm
wrung through him. Caspian carried him through each wave,
clenching to prolong Eli’s heightened pleasure.
Eli slumped against his chest and Caspian cradled him
tight. Panting breath tickled, then Eli raised his head, searching
Caspian’s face. Vulnerability glimmered in his eyes.
“Was it—”
“Yes,” Caspian whispered. “I liked being that close to you.”
67
ANYTA SUNDAY
Eli slipped out and Caspian felt the loss of their

connection.
Clean up dealt with, Eli collapsed into bed, and Caspian
curled against him, savoring the scent of himself on Eli’s skin.
The feel of Eli’s fingers caressing Caspian’s back from shoulder
blade to hip. The look on Eli’s face, like Caspian had given him
something magical.
The tenderest knot pulsed in Caspian’s throat. “Eli?”
“Cas?”
“I want to do that again with you.” His voice trembled.
“But is it okay that your arms around me is my favorite part?”
Eli smiled softly. “It’s my favorite part too.”
Caspian melted against him with a sigh of contentment.
Like they’d done many times before, Eli fished for his spare
night mask and helped Caspian pull it on. Unlike before, Eli
bumped their noses together and kissed him. “Sleep, Cas.
When we wake, we may want to let our worried moms know
we’ve sorted things out.”
Caspian smiled. “Yours won’t be surprised.”
“I believe she might use the word ‘finally.’”
They laughed, and Caspian rolled on top of him, blind.
“You’re smiling, aren’t you?”
Eli’s breath hitched. “How do you know?”
“I feel it.”
A laugh. “Caspian?”
“Hmm?”
Eli squeezed Caspian’s nape and pulled him close, soft
breath in his ear. “I love you.”
68
Libra
Caspian: What if I transferred to your university?

Eli: My school isn’t as prestigious as yours.
Caspian: Don’t care. Maybe I don’t do grad school at all . . .
Eli: Transferring is always an option.
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69
ANYTA SUNDAY
Also available: Leo Loves Aries (Signs of Love #1)
Need more star-struck (clueless) lovers?

Head on over to …
Leo Loves Aries

Signs of Love #1
L eo loves Aries. If only Leo’s clueless ass could

see it.
Theo Wallace—fun, lazy, Leo—needs a friendship that
sticks. That thrives. That helps him leave past pains behind and
look toward the Bright Future.
Mr. Jamie Cooper—level-headed, motivated, Aries—
seems to be a possible and convenient match. Real convenient.
Like written-in-the-stars, he’s-his-newest-roommate convenient.
Things are fun.
70
Things are better than fun.

But what’s with those long looks Jamie keeps giving Theo?
And what’s with the quivery feelings in Theo’s stomach?
Clueless Leo will need a clever Aries to figure
it out.
"L EO L OVES A RIES " IS A FLIRTY , SLOW BURN , ROOMMATES TO

lovers MM romance with a heartwarming HEA. This New Adult,
college, friends-to-lovers novel is the first book in the Signs of Love series.
T HE BOOKS IN THE S IGNS OF L OVE SERIES ARE STANDALONE

romances, and can be read in any order.
LEO LOVES ARIES (bi-awakening, friends to lovers, clueless as fuck)

SCORPIO HATES VIRGO (boy next door, fake-enemies to lovers,
mistaken identity)
GEMINI KEEPS CAPRICORN (fake fiancés, friends to lovers,
off-limits lover)
PISCES HOOKS TAURUS (marriage of convenience, opposites
attract, age-gap)
CANCER SHIPS AQUARIUS (manny, widower, opposites attract)
71
Leo Loves Aries - Chapter 1
T heo Wallace stood in front of the mailbox, pinching a

gold-edged card, his throat constricting with a rush of
betrayal. Rain drummed over the card, making the ink of
Samantha’s name weep.
A year ago last January, he and Sam were making snow
angels right here in front of his two-story Victorian rental. His
sister Leone and her boyfriend Derek had joined them. They
had laughed so hard he’d felt it in his gut for the rest of
the day.
Out of nowhere, Sam slammed him with the truth. She
would prefer to spend her life with someone else. Someone
easier to live with. Derek.
Theo swallowed and closed his eyes on the memory,
focusing on the rain slithering down the gaps of his jacket hood
rather than the emptiness he felt. A right sad sack he was.
Fuck.
He moved to the trashcan at the curb, lifted the freezing,
wet lid, and then slammed it down again.
The card still lay clutched in his hand.
72
He couldn’t bring himself to toss that damn embossed card

away. Because…because… it was addressed to him and Leone.
Yeah. That was it.
He rolled his shoulders and tucked the card with the other
two minor annoyances that had arrived with the mail. He
splashed up the white stone path to the front door and let
himself in.
“Leone?” he called over earsplitting indie electropop.
He toed off his shoes and slid them into the shoe rack,
making sure to tuck the laces away. “You’re gonna want to hear
this.” He hung his wet jacket.
“I’m in the living room.”
Theo rounded into the main room of their house. The
previous tenants had knocked down a few walls, making a great
room and open plan kitchen.
He found his sister in a pair of yoga pants and tank top,
using one of the heavy wooden pillars that studded the space
to stretch out her calves. She picked up her phone from the
base of the pillar and spoke. The music pumping from the
sound system faded.
Cola-brown hair swung with her ponytail as she turned in
his direction and sniffed. “You smell like rain, bro.”
“I’m drenched. You didn’t hear it pounding out there?”
“Thought it got a bit darker,” she said. “But I wasn’t sure.”
Dragging her hand over their navy-blue couch, she moved
toward the kitchen.
It didn’t look like she had to count every step. Didn’t look
like she had difficulty pulling a black mug from the white cabi‐
nets and filling it with water.
Didn’t look like she was legally blind.
Water guzzled, Leone plunked herself onto the armchair.
“What am I gonna want to hear?”
Theo pulled out the mail from under his arm and set it on
73
ANYTA SUNDAY
the coffee table. He flung himself onto the couch, tipped his
head against the arm, and pinched his nose. “It came.”
“It came?” Confusion edged Leone’s voice, and then she
breathed in sharply. “It came.” Taut silence followed, then,
“When is it?”
“It’s the square card on the end closest to you. I was
tempted to throw it out.”
But he obviously had masochist tendencies, because some
part of him wanted to suffer its contents.
Leone asked, “Are you doing the honors? Or do you want
me to stick it under my magnifier?”
Theo rolled onto his side and plucked the offending card
from the table.
Scrawled in large, now bleeding cursive at the top of a soft
gold-and-cream card were the stomach-clenching words:
Save the Date.

Samantha Royce & Derek Johnson.
“Middle of May.” His voice cracked and his throat felt like
he had swallowed fire.
Leone made a choking sound. Her light-green eyes filmed
over with tears.
Theo tossed the card onto the coffee table and slid onto the
armchair next to her. Her head cradled against his shoulder as
he stroked a stray lock behind her ear. “Fuck ’em, right?”
“Not anymore,” she said.
Theo let out a raw laugh. “I guess you’re right.”
Derek had been Leone’s boyfriend for three years and
Samantha—Sam, Sammy—had been Theo’s girlfriend
for two.
A week after the snow angels, they’d discovered the two
had fallen out of love with them and in love with each other.
He thought he’d gotten over the pain.
74
Seeing them together last Halloween, a twinkly rock bedaz‐

zling her ring finger, was hard enough.
Now this invitation…
His stomach knotted.
“I wish I could hate them,” Leone said.
“Me too.”
But Theo couldn’t. Sammy and Derek hadn’t snuck around
or cheated on them. Bit by bit over all the weeknights, week‐
ends, and holidays Theo and Leone had them over, they’d
become close. While Theo had focused on other things—
programming, marathon training, rewriting papers—and
Leone on her thesis proposal, Sam and Derek had fallen in
love.
They’d both cried when they confessed they had feelings
for each other.
Over and over they apologized.
Leone had been sitting on the armchair and Theo had
been stretched out on the couch flipping yoghurt raisins into
his mouth like he didn’t care. But he did.
He hadn’t touched a yoghurt-covered raisin since.
Nor had he found another girlfriend.
Flings, yes—he liked sex—but there had been no one he
trusted enough to call his girlfriend. No one he thought would
care for his flaws.
His sister hadn’t re-entered the dating pool, either.
“What do you say about ordering in tonight?” Theo
suggested. “We could get that sun-died tomato and chicken
calzone you like, crank up some sappy music, and bitch until
morning?”
Leone chuckled. “Sun-dried, Theo.”
He knew that. Had known since the tender age of last
fucking year. He’d bought a jar and laughed at the misspelled
label.
“Whatever.” He kissed her forehead, climbed back onto the
75
ANYTA SUNDAY
couch, and picked up the envelope from their mom. “The sun
dried all those tomatoes dead. Sun-died made a lot of fucking
sense.”
Leone snickered. “Are you reading the rest of the mail?”
“Yep. Kick back and get ready to scoff. Mom sent us our
yearly horoscope.” Horoscope, singular, because he and Leone
were twins.
Theo unfolded the page their mom had torn from her
favorite astrology magazine and read it aloud. “It’s a new year,
Leo. Resolve to make big changes in your life and use your
pride and stubbornness to see them through.”
Theo knew horoscopes were made-up crap meant to make
you feel like life had a bigger purpose. Nevertheless, his neck
prickled.
Easy to see how the horoscope might apply to him. Him
and Leone both.
He cleared his throat and continued reading. “A new
person will enter your life early in the year; look past any
moments of frustration they might bring and laugh, Leo—this
could be the start of a thriving friendship.”
“A roommate, perhaps?” Leone said, tucking a leg under
her. “Our first interview is Monday morning before classes, by
the way.”
“Before classes? I’m a hot mess in the mornings.”
“Ain’t that true,” Leone said. “Stop giving me that face.”
“How do you know what face I’m giving you?”
“I wasn’t blind the first fifteen years. I know you.” She
grinned and waved a hand. “Go on, go on.”
“If you feel overwhelmed during the early spring, take a
deep breath and let someone close to you be the rock you lean
on. Friendships may evolve in later spring, and you may receive
news that will shock you—but fret not, this could be the news
you need to hear! The heart and the head may not be in sync
76
the first half of this year, Leo, and there’s potential to overlook
the obvious. Listen hard to your inner voice and if confused,
talk it through with a loved one. Fear not rejection and heart‐
break, Leo. Hold your head up high, be your glowing, fiery self,
and the right people will gravitate to you; maybe even a soul
mate among them.”
At Leone’s request, he reread the last paragraph.
She hummed thoughtfully, then leaned forward to the
coffee table and felt for the save-the date card.
Theo frowned as his sister carefully made her way to the
fridge and stuck the card to it. “What are you doing?”
“I think, this time, our horoscope might be right.”
A hollow laugh. “There was no warning for how screwed
up our love lives turned out last year. Don’t get your hopes up.”
Tsk. “Soul mate!”
“That’s not the part I care about.” She rolled her shoulders
and lifted her chin. “We need to fear not rejection and heart‐
break. We need to move on.”
The edge of the horoscope crinkled in Theo’s grip. “Go to
their wedding? Dance and laugh and not care that they
left us?”
“That’s right,” Leone said. “We’ll take our own dates. It’ll
be great.”
Theo looked from the save-the-date card to the bottle of
Zinfandel on top of the fridge. “I need a drink.”
“Let’s move past this,” Theo said.

At the bottom of the Zinfandel bottle—and after two
calzones and five mopey love songs— Theo fished for his
phone to change the music.
Leone laughed. “Let’s.”
77
ANYTA SUNDAY
But when he skipped the slow song, Leone used her phone
to turn the music off. “Let’s move past them.”
“Isn’t that what we are doing?” he said.
“No, but we will. We are going to find each other dates for
the wedding.”
“Why don’t we find our own dates?”
Leone chuckled darkly. “Because we suck. Otherwise we
wouldn’t be here, brother and sister, drowning our sorrows on a
Friday night.”
She had a point.
Theo grabbed his laptop and logged onto Facebook.
Leone hiccupped, legs hanging over one arm of her
armchair, shoulders resting on the other. “Who do you know
that might be a match for me?”
Theo had hundreds of “friends,” people he’d met once or
twice in passing. He made friends easily. Keeping them seemed
to be the hard part.
He scrolled through the list of guys he knew-knew and
winced when the total number came to three. Alex, Ben, and
Kyle.
That was sobering.
“So? Anyone?”
Theo bit his lip. “I’m still looking.”
He went back to Ben’s wall and stared at the photos of the
two couples. All smiles and flushed cheeks, Ben and Kyle flanked
Sammy and Derek in front of snow-capped trees. The post
revealed that they had gone for a weekend trip to Lake Erie.
Theo eyed the empty wine bottle on the coffee table, then
remembered the freezer in the kitchen might hold some vodka.
“What do you want in a guy anyway?” Theo asked.
Ben’s pictures drew him back.
To think, just a year ago, Theo would have been the one in
this photo gazing at Sam.
78
“Honesty? Understanding,” Leone said. “I want someone

who doesn’t make me feel blind. I want fun and I want to be
swept off my feet.”
The worst thing about breaking up was realizing his friends
were in fact her friends.
“Strength, too,” Leone continued. “Physical and mental.”
Theo hummed his nod. “Strength, honesty, understanding.
Got it.”
He and Ben used to shoot the shit all the time. Hang out at
bars. Take turns kicking ass at gaming.
“Also compassion. And blind loyalty.” Leone laughed. “See
what I did there?”
“You word-playing mastermind, you.”
She felt for a cushion and whipped it in his direction. Theo
batted it away.
“There are too many guys here to choose from,” he lied.
“I’ll need time to narrow it down.”
“We have until May.”
He hopped to Alex’s profile, the guy in his marketing
course who Theo was doing web work for. The first picture to
pop out at him was taken five minutes ago. Alex was dancing at
a club with his girlfriend.
So. Yeah.
No match there, either.
The thought of telling Leone he had no matches made
heat claw up his neck.
Things in the friends department fucking sucked but that
was going to change. Not because his horoscope said it would,
but because he was going to make it change.
Finding Leone the perfect date just turned personal.
• • •
79
ANYTA SUNDAY
"L EO L OVES A RIES " IS A FLIRTY , SLOW BURN , ROOMMATES TO

lovers MM romance with a heartwarming HEA. This New Adult,
college, friends-to-lovers novel is the first book in the Signs of Love series.
Leo Loves Aries

Signs of Love #1
80
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my fantastic team for always being there,

supporting me and doing what you do best! And a special
thanks to Ashely Ohlman for sensitivity reading!

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SIGNS OF LOVE: WINTER

Heart-stopping slow burn.

What happens when a clueless hero believes in star-

Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer . .

Can be read as a standalone.

“Hello to you, too.” Eli opened his arms and Caspian

but he couldn’t help it. His stomach hopped with disappoint‐

emotions—a little too good, honestly. He pocketed Caspian’s

Caspian cocked his head. “What’s that pensive face for?”

“The worst SEXUAL compatibility.” Caspian yelled to Eli

“I wasn’t talking about—they make me me? I’m studying to

Caspian’s mom snatched him into a desperately joyful hug

“You forgot your eye mask,” Eli murmured, and Caspian

C aspian woke to an empty bed. He sat up as Eli padded

stretched on top of the covers. He leveled solemn eyes on

I meet someone in real life, zip. Nada. Like I’m broken or

had eleven mismatched partners. There’s a whole world out

Eli’s mom, Natasha, didn’t blink when Caspian followed

Caspian and Eli sat on plastic stools behind a booth of

Caspian snickered, and clumsily pulled out his phone. He

If I take the opportunity to discover it? Is there a likelihood I’ll miss

Plastic cut into Caspian’s palms and his fingers bulged

“You don’t go to Harrison. I do.”

strong-willed, kind, caring, incredible person I know. Harrison

“Doubtful. Mom says the only other man she’ll allow to

Mom dropped her phone. “I’m done.”

“As long as no friendly spiders tag along and test my

Caspian’s mom caught him tiptoeing through the house.

Eli: Sounds good. Twenty minutes?

Eli: You’re not a freshman.

I n a warm shaft of morning light, Caspian dabbed blood

cat. I wasn’t expecting him. If he’d yowled a second earlier . .

Eli rose from his stool, abruptly. “I need a drink. Hot

Caspian’s gaze lifted to Eli’s a moment before soft lips

Flynn nodded to the ice skaters. “Want to head out on the

rug, limbs flexing in his tight jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt.

Eli let the phone ring before he sighed and answered,

“We’re here,” Caspian said, startled to find they’d

Flynn smiled gently. “You’ve hmm’d and ahh’d everything

Not sure. Probably, if he worked at it hard enough.

C aspian hoofed home, stride long, daydreaming to his

Was Eli dreading this conversation? Planning how to

We’ll make sure we spend quality time together. Me and you—

Eli: I suppose this means you’re having a good time?

He shut his eyes. Would he have to smile, pretend to be

His mom returned around eight in the morning; Caspian

“I don’t know if I can stand watching him fall in love with

C aspian shoved open his bedroom window and climbed

Caspian kissed him again. “This is . . .”

“The intensity of my feelings for you won’t stop grow‐

Caspian nodded. “Anything.”

Caspian picked Eli up at his front door with a plastic

Eli spat his out. “Yeah, I’m returning these.”

beside him. “I needed to know if the feelings could shift to

on his side. He propped his head on an elbow and admired Eli.

Eli slipped out and Caspian felt the loss of their

Caspian: What if I transferred to your university?

Want more slow burn romance, freebies and giveaways? Make

Also available: Leo Loves Aries (Signs of Love #1)

Need more star-struck (clueless) lovers?

Leo Loves Aries

L eo loves Aries. If only Leo’s clueless ass could

Things are better than fun.