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morning, Craig woke up earlier than usual. His head was heavy from not having gotten a good night’s sleep, but he jumped out of bed anyway, threw on his jeans and a sweatshirt, and ran outside. Jeremy was just getting into his car.
    “Jeremy!”
    Jeremy stopped, turning to face Craig. Time stood still, before Jeremy ran over to him, grabbing him in a tight hug. Craig wrapped his arms around Jeremy, hot tears spilling out of his eyes. When they pulled apart, Craig looked at Jeremy and saw his eyes filled with tears as well. Jeremy wiped his face and sniffled. “I’ll call you once we get there.”
    Craig nodded, but said nothing, his grief making it too difficult to speak. As Jeremy returned to the car and climbed in, a piece of Craig closed off with the same finality as the car door. He ran about half a block once the car started to drive away, waving frantically to Jeremy’s retreating face, which gazed out the back window at him. And then the car turned the corner. Jeremy was gone.

    5

    D.H. Starr

    Meant For Each Other

Chapter One
    Fifteen Years Later…

    Craig stared at his computer screen, lost in thought, something that had been happening more often lately. The business he and his college friends had started, Spectacular Designs, had a steady flow of clients which kept the five of them busy. But busy didn’t fix the other problems Craig had to deal with outside of work. Namely, his boyfriend, Robert. What had once been a source of happiness in his life now hung as a dark cloud. In fact, he had taken to spending more and more time at work, avoiding the criticism he had to deal with at home. Just this morning they had argued once again about his work. Robert was constantly pushing him to leave the business he had created in order to take a job which would pay more. How many times did they have to have the same discussion before Robert would realize that a major reason Craig loved his job was because he had helped to start the business.
    Janet came out of her office, her head tilted to the side holding her cell phone to her ear while she scribbled madly on her notepad. Craig smiled and watched her on her phone call, remembering the first time he had met her.
    Second semester his sophomore year of college, he took his first graphics arts course and met Janet. She had been incredibly intense, wanting to double major in business and graphic arts, but Craig loved her upbeat and fun nature. She made him laugh and cry. They spent all their time together and quickly became best friends. Meeting her had saved him from coasting through college in the fog that had followed him for four long and lonely years following Jeremy’s move.
    Janet’s energy and friendship had brought him back to the person he had been when Jeremy had been around; a vibrant, upbeat person who loved life and lived fully.
    Still, he had never been able to let go of the memory of loss. No one, not even Robert, measured up to the feelings he had for Jeremy.
    Craig was distracted by Janet’s voice next to him. “You’re working late tonight.” He glanced up from his computer screen and turned to face her. He hadn’t heard her end her phone call.
    She grinned at him. “I swear, if you keep working as hard as you do, you’re going to have to take over my position. I’m not earning my paycheck with you around.”
    Craig smiled a devilish grin, allowing exaggerated innocence to play across his face.
    “I work this hard for the sheer love of the job.” He did love his work, but he had other reasons for staying late so often.
    Janet punched his shoulder. “You don’t have to be a wise ass.”
    Craig laughed, rubbing his arm in mock-pain. “I’m working late because I can’t get a solid idea on how to proceed with this project.” Again, not the real reason, but one Janet would believe.

    6

    D.H. Starr

    Meant For Each Other
    Janet leaned over to glance at his screen. “A bed and breakfast job, huh? What do they want you to design?”
    Craig