Stardust

By Andrew Grey

Duncan is an ocean from home over the holidays and expects to spend them alone. To his pleasant surprise, one of his European co-workers, Georg, befriends him and includes Duncan in the holiday traditions of his homeland: cutting a Christmas tree under starry skies at Georg’s country estate, decorating it at the family’s city home, and shopping at the Christmas market in Munich. Both men are lonely and realize they have much in common. But Georg’s life is in Germany and Duncan’s is in Boston. With the project they’re working on nearing completion, any chance for more than a holiday fling seems as elusive as stardust.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package "Celebrate!".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781632167644

Andrew Grey

Andrew Grey is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Email: [e-mail] Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

Book preview

magical.

Chapter 1

THE MACHINE made large, slow circles, liquid sheening on top of the glass that was being shaped, slowly, atom by atom. At least that was how it seemed. The process was exacting and would take a very long time. Every curve had to be perfect. I knew it was loud in the room below where I watched through panes of glass. It had to be, with all the machinery that moved and gleamed in the bright lights. People in white cleansuits moved around the huge mirror. No contamination could be allowed in the room; nothing could be allowed to spoil the glass. It had taken weeks of work to get it this far and there would still be many more.

Did you volunteer for this? an unfamiliar voice asked from behind me. I turned and nodded automatically. What were you thinking? he asked in a pleasing German accent.

I had nothing else to do, and by agreeing to come here, it allowed the other members of the team to spend Christmas with their families. I smiled, and he did the same. A nice smile, more sincere than the polite ones I was getting used to seeing. His smile went to his eyes and was genuinely warm. I’d seen him around the plant the past few weeks, but he’d never approached me, and I’d done as instructed and remained in the area set aside for me to do my work. I’m Duncan Haversmith, I said, extending my hand.

Georg von Mittelbach, he said. I’d seen his name plate on an office, and in my mind I’d pronounced it George, but he said it like Gay-org and it fit him really well. He was tall with dark hair, precisely cut, and deep brown eyes. I assumed he was one of the managers, since he had an office. I have been asked to act as your liaison to make sure you have everything you require.

I was confused. What about Hans? I’d been working with him for the past two weeks.

He went on paternity leave. His wife had a baby.

Oh, I said, resisting the urge to turn back to watch the grinding process. I probably should have, because it would have given me a chance to cover my surprise. Hans and I had been working together for two weeks and he’d never mentioned anything about it.

Sometimes— he began and then paused. I traveled to the US on business a few years ago for a few months, and you are much more open about your personal lives in the office. We tend to be a little more… private.

I nodded. I had noticed that. I guess I’m sad I never had a chance to offer my congratulations. I’d been working as the liaison for the consortium that had contracted the mirror while it was being ground for a new-generation space telescope. The project was led by NASA, but a number of universities were also taking part. As an astronautical engineer, I led the team back at MIT that had designed the mirror and its housing.

Please. Georg smiled again. Dang, he was beautiful when he did that. No, beautiful was the wrong word—he was stunning, and his deep eyes shone in a way that reminded me of the shine of the water that both lubricated the mirror below as well as carried away the microscopic material ground away. It’s his fourth baby. He should have it down to a science by now. His smile brightened, showing off perfectly white teeth. My stomach did a little flip. It was brief, but a slight jittery feeling remained, one that told me Georg might be gay. Of course the way his gaze lingered a little longer than was necessary was also a clue. How long will you be here?

I’m scheduled for another six weeks at this point, but I’m supposed to remain until the mirror is finished and packed for shipment. I motioned to one of the chairs around the small table that filled the tiny room I’d been given as a work area. Since it was only me, it was fine. I rarely had visitors—only Hans, and now Georg. Most everyone else went about their business with little concern for me.

There isn’t going to be a lot to see in the next few weeks. Georg began setting a file on the table. We are on schedule, and barring some hidden flaw in the glass itself, which isn’t likely, given our quality standards and the testing that was done before the process began, we should finish grinding and polishing on December 30. Then we can complete the packing process and we’ll fly it to the US and make delivery. I will admit, it seems excessive to have you here the entire time. There will be very little to see.

I understand, I said. I really did. This seemed like overkill to me, but they wanted someone here to communicate back and relay any issues. You are aware that this is the second mirror. The first one got halfway through the process and had a flaw. That was a different company, of course.

Of course, Georg said with another smile, this one with a hint of pride. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Not that I can think of, I said. Except maybe recommend a few places to visit this weekend. I’ve been here a few weeks and have explored a little of the tourist section of Munich, but I’d like to do something different. It was harder than I expected to be able to get around and see things since I didn’t speak much German. As long as I stuck to the areas frequented by tourists, I seemed to be fine, but I had been hoping to see other areas.

Of course, Georg said, growing quiet. If you like, I can show you around a little.

The offer took me slightly by surprise, given how standoffish most people had been. That would be very nice.

What would you like to see?

Whatever you’d like to show me, I answered. It seemed like the right thing to say. I haven’t been here before, so everything is new.

Is your wife along with you?

I’m not married and I’m here alone. I sighed, and I knew I should have done