Excerpt: The Excellent Adventure of Jonathan and Luke, Two American Lovers in Paris

Meanwhile, a tall blond boy has his legs up on the office desk. In front of him is a computer playing host to a riveting game of Minesweeper. The mouse beneath his left hand clicks and clacks as he snaps open windows and drums his fingers, thinking. He sniffs and scowls, watching Jonathan in his peripheral vision. Though a smile is on the blond’s face, his voice is weary. “Jonathan,” he says. “You know you really have to take that outside. “

Jonathan is leaning over the copy machine. The tip of a cigarette flares at his lips, puffing out smoke rings in response to the receptionist’s pleas. He laughs.

“Jonathan,” the blond repeats in a childish whine, stressing the first syllable. “Come on. You know my mom hates it when you smoke in here.”

Jonathan scoffs. “She loves me,” he affirms. “You, dear Luke, are in a woebegone state of denial.”