Lessons in Timing

Sometimes opposites attract so hard they miss.

Lucas Barclay—charismatic Californian and fastidious photographer—is impatiently waiting for his commitment-phobic boyfriend to . . . well, commit. In the meantime, he rents a shared apartment, which is fine, except for the nocturnal cryptid also living there. Lucas spends his days working at his family’s horse sanctuary, contemplating the unexplained doodles left on his bathroom mirror, and dodging inkwells. Left on carpet.

Armand Demetrio’s grim-dark comic Surrogate Goose has catapulted him to unexpected fame, and the British artiste finds himself abroad, teaching a workshop in California. He spends his nights dreading the international convention at the end of the summer (and the celebrity it entails), tarnishing his hard-won sobriety, and wallowing in the mystery of his elusive flatmate. Why would anyone need so much kale? And why does everything smell of lilac?

Though conflicting schedules keep Lucas and Armand from meeting in person, tentative communication begins through text, Post-it notes, and muffins. But Armand will return to London soon, and he and Lucas might get clock-blocked. Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met?