Christmas Waltz

By Josh Lanyon

In 2012 I began a holiday tradition of writing holiday codas for some of my — and your — favorite stories. I ran the codas on my blog and left them up there for readers to enjoy all year round.

At the request of readers, I collected the codas in an expanded and edited edition which I published in 2015 as Merry Christmas, Darling.
Since then I’ve written an additional twenty-one codas, so it seems about time to do another collection. As before, I’m including recipes for cocktails and dishes that are either featured in the original works or seem to add some final comment or insight into the era or the characters or their relationship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Josh Lanyon
• Release date: Jan 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781945802140

Josh Lanyon

Author of nearly ninety titles of classic Male/Male fiction featuring twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance, JOSH LANYON’S work has been translated into eleven languages. Her FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Harlequin Mondadori, then the largest romance publisher in Italy. Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.She is an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All-Time Favorite M/M Author award.Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.comFollow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

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In 2012 I began a holiday tradition of writing holiday codas for some of my—and your—favorite stories. I ran the codas on my blog and left them up there for readers to enjoy all year round.

At the request of readers, I collected the codas in an expanded and edited edition which I published in 2015 as Merry Christmas, Darling.

Since then I’ve written an additional nineteen codas, so it seems about time to do another collection. As before, I’m including recipes for cocktails and dishes that are either featured in the original works or seem to add some final comment or insight into the era or the characters or their relationship. OR that I just want to share with you, my readers! (Black Orchid martinis, anyone?)

Because the codas are a holiday gift to you, they also remain available for free on my blog (minus edits, expansion, or erotic content).

I wish you all the jolliest of winter seasons. May this season be filled with lovely surprises. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

STRANGER ON THE SHORE: Griff and Pierce

Kind.

That was the word. People were kind. Very kind. And curious. Because…what a story. Long-lost heir returns after twenty years. Mystery solved. Happy endings all around. Well…mostly.

It was going to make a hell of a book, though Griff was no longer sure he was the right person to write it. It was definitely different being one of the principal players in a case. It gave you a whole new perspective.

But anyway, no need to make a decision on that. Not right away. In the meantime…Christmas.

Jarrett had gone full out. Making up for lost time. And, more dismaying, looking ahead to a future where he wouldn’t be around to celebrate holidays.

After all, I’m not getting any younger, my boy, he had said when Griff had tried to talk him out of arranging fireworks on Christmas Eve.

A private fireworks show? That was just…

But Griff didn’t have the heart to squash Jarrett’s enthusiasm. Jarrett’s heart attack had scared him. Scared Jarrett too, which was why he kept chirping ominous things about not being around forever.

Don’t say that, Griff would say to Jarrett, and Jarrett would pat him fondly on the shoulder or the back. At least he didn’t pat Griff on the top of the head and tell him to go play, so that was something to be grateful for.

The Christmas Eve Ball—yes, ball, not a cocktail party; formal dress was required—was enormous. In fact, the word enormous really didn’t seem to do this lavish extravaganza justice. It seemed like everybody on Long Island showed up, certainly everyone in Syosset was there. There was a dance band playing big band numbers, which gave an idea of the type of event it was. There were ice sculptures and caterers (sometimes it was hard to tell the difference). The towering Christmas tree was decked in generations’ worth of glittering and hand-painted antique ornaments. Miles of pine garland—the real thing—wreathed the staircases and hallways. Everybody in attendance got presents, including the waitstaff. Griff received a ridiculously expensive watch, which merely seemed to emphasize that time was fleeting and it would be best to pick his battles.

He drank a lot of champagne. Not his beverage of choice, but he was nervous and tense and self-conscious. It was all that kindness. People trying very hard to show that he was accepted and welcomed. Which he appreciated. He did. But he didn’t enjoy feeling like a charity case. Life had not been a picnic for him growing up, but he also had never felt like some sad, pathetic victim. Until all that kindness was directed his way.

So he smiled and drank more champagne and wondered if Pierce was going to make it or not. Pierce had been delayed over a juvenile-court matter, and Griff very much loved the fact that Pierce was willing to give up his Christmas Eve for some kid caught in the rigid machinery of the legal system, but… It would have been easier if Pierce had been with him this evening.

And tomorrow would be just as tiring. Christmas dinner here with Jarrett and Marcus and Muriel. Chloe had opted to spend the holidays in San Francisco with Michaela, who was unable to forgive Griff for turning out to be Brian. Well, it really wasn’t about that, but either way Griff understood. He was surprised to find how much he missed Chloe, though. Her unguarded and occasionally outrageous comments came as a relief sometimes.

Later that same day there would be a second Christmas dinner with Pierce’s parents. They still didn’t know what to make of Griff and Pierce’s relationship, but treated Griff with unfailing kindness.

More kindness. From every direction. Sometimes he wasn’t sure he could hold up under the weight of it.

He was standing on the fringe of the crowd gazing out the window at the red, green, and silver fireworks, when warm lips nuzzled the back of his neck. Griff jumped and turned, swallowing a laugh, already registering Pierce’s aftershave and cologne—or maybe it was something more fundamental. The almost electric energy of Pierce’s presence.

Pierce, unsurprisingly, looked fantastic in a tux. He probably owned a couple of them. White and black? This one was black and severe and suited Pierce’s classic handsomeness. He was smiling, but as his amber gaze studied Griff, his own smile faded. His expression grew attentive and, yes, kind.

Feeling overwhelmed? he asked softly.

It’s beautiful, Griff replied, conscious of the crowd around them, conscious that people were trying not to look like they were listening.

Which doesn’t answer my question. Pierce drew Griff away from the crowd at the window. Come and buy me a drink.

Yeah, like it wasn’t a hosted bar. But Griff obligingly went along to the bar with Pierce. Pierce ordered Black Velvet. Griff declined another champagne cocktail.

Ah. Pierce took a long, grateful sip.

Everything go okay? Griff asked.

Pierce nodded noncommittally. Then he smiled. Glad I made it home before Santa arrived.

Yeah, well, we’re not home yet. Not true. Technically Griff was home, but these days home was really Pierce’s house in Syosset.

We can leave right now, Pierce said. He was perfectly serious. Say the word.

Griff shook his head. I can’t do that to Jarrett.

Pierce considered him, then sipped his drink. Your Honor, I refuse to answer on the grounds I might incriminate myself.

Griff watched him. To look at Pierce, you’d never believe he’d ever experienced even a moment of self-doubt. But Griff knew him better now.

I have to ask you something, he said finally.

Yes, Pierce answered promptly.

Griff laughed. You don’t know what I’m going to ask.

Pierce winked at him. Man, that effortless, assured charm. It was effective, no doubt about it.

But it’s kind of private, Griff said.

Then the answer is definitely yes. But Pierce put a hand beneath Griff’s elbow, guiding him away to a little alcove where they could only be overheard by the Fontanini angels.

You can be honest with me, Griff said. I want you to be honest, even if you think it’s going to hurt me.

Pierce stopped smiling. He said quietly, I’m always honest with you.

You are, but this is something you may not be honest with yourself about.

Now Pierce was frowning. He said, Go on.

Unexpectedly, it was hard to say the words.

Griff struggled for a moment and then said, Are we together because you feel bad about the past?

I don’t think you should drink champagne, Pierce said.

It’s a serious question.

Pierce didn’t answer for so long that Griff began to wish he hadn’t asked. Don’t pose any question you couldn’t bear to hear answered truthfully. Rules for Happy Living. He wanted, maybe even needed, to believe what he and Pierce had was real, but it was that damned newshound instinct. He just couldn’t help pushing to find out the truth. If it killed him.

And for a couple of seconds, it felt like it might.

Pierce said slowly, carefully, like