Page 14 of Love Around the Corner

“No, I guess not.” Novak gave a cautious smile, and—Hell, it was transformative. He’d always been cute, but that shy smile wasadorable. His eyes crinkled, a dimple appeared in one cheek, and Alfie felt a bizarre impulse to loop an arm around his shoulders and protect that fragile mirth. He put the urge down to lack of sleep and the relief of finally—finally—hearing from LLB this morning.

Even so, he had to clear his throat before saying, “Meeting starts at seven at Dee’s. And—if you need further encouragement—she always bakes something awesome to bribe people into coming along.”

Novak nodded, hands dug deep into his pockets. “I’ll think about it.” And then, meeting Alfie’s eyes with a cautious look, “Thanks for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. I wish I’d done it before.”

He thought, with satisfaction, that LLB would be proud of him.

Chapter Five

Camaro89: I’ve been thinking about you today, and about how RL people don’t know you. It made me reach out to a guy locally who’s kind of a loner. See? You make me a better person.

Leo read the message as he stood, dithering in his darkened store, working up the courage to go along to the meeting at Dee’s. It explained why Carter had held out the olive branch, at least. Which was ironic. Or messed up. Or some insane combination of the two.

He hadn’t realized people thought he was a loner. Christ. He never felt alone. How could he when he was surrounded by all these books, all these characters, and had Camaro89 to talk to about them? But Carter was ‘holding, as ‘twere, the mirror up to nature’ and while Leo didn’t like the reflection he saw glaring back, he couldn’t really argue with it.

Carter thought he was a loner. But maybe, if Leo was ever going to tell him the truth about ‘LLB’, he should try to change that opinion. Straightening his shoulders, he stepped out into the night and locked the door behind him. Dee’s Coffee Shop, brightly lit against the dark, shone at the other end of Main Street and Leo took a deep breath before heading out. He pulled out his phone and typed as he walked.

You do the same for me, in ways you don’t know. I’m heading out of my comfort zone tonight, because of you. Thank you. xx

He’d walked all the way along the street before a reply popped up just as he reached the door to Dee’s.

Camaro89: Good luck. Knock ’em dead, Champ. :)

Smiling to himself, Leo pushed open the door, and froze. Several faces turned to stare at him, blank with surprise. Nobody knew him. He knew nobody. He remembered, then, why he didn’t do this kind of thing.

“I’m sorry, we’re not open, honey,” said a thin, grey-haired woman, smiling kindly.

“Oh. No. Uh, is this the meeting about—?”

“Hey you made it!” Carter appeared from the kitchen behind the counter, carrying a tray of hot drinks and looking like a knight in shining armor.

“Uh, yes,” Leo said, pulling off his hat, flushed with relief. “Hi.”

“This is Leo Novak,” Carter said as he set the tray down on the table. “He owns Bayside Books. I strong-armed him into coming along tonight, right Novak?”

“Right,” he said, with a lame laugh.

“Oh!” The woman who’d spoken before looked mortified. “I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t recognize you. Welcome! New recruits are a blessing.” She smiled. “I’m Jude Brennan, I own the Majestic Hotel, up on the cliffs. And this is my husband, Don.” Leo nodded and Jude went around the table, introducing the other six or seven people reaching for their coffees—mostly owners of various local businesses, as well as Tejana Callaghan, who lived up at Hanworth Hall.

As Leo was taking off his coat, Dee bustled out of the kitchen carrying a platter piled high with generous slices of a seriously amazing looking cake. “Leo, this is a wonderful surprise,” she said, setting the platter down. “Pumpkin Spice cake. Dig in, everyone. Now, Leo, you sit right here next to Alfie”— a mischievous smile lit her eyes—“and I’ll go fetch you a drink. Vanilla latte?”

“Decaf, at this time of night, please.”

Carter gave a friendly smile as he sat down, and Leo had no choice but to take the empty seat next to him. Not that he didn’t want to, but it was intense knowing what he knew—and knowing Carterdidn’tknow. It was an unsustainable situation, obviously, but for right now this tentative rapprochement with Carter felt important. Slowly, slowly he was trying to reconcile Carter with Camaro89. And maybe, possibly, if he reached a point where he and Carter were actually friendly, telling him the truth wouldn’t destroy everything.

But they weren’t there yet, not by a long shot. Carter thought he was a loner, and had invited him tonight out of… Well, if not quite pity, then kindness and the desire to do a good turn. He’d never really imagined Carter capable of kindness.

“Hey, try some cake.” Carter pulled the platter closer and Leo reached out to take a slice. It smelled amazing, moist and rich and full of winter spice. “Dee’s a fantastic baker,” Carter said.

Leo broke off a piece and tasted it. “Delicious.”

Carter nodded and said no more. Neither did Leo and an awkward silence fell between them—the silence of two people who really don’t know each other at all. Which was ironic. Casting around for something to say that wouldn’t betray him, Leo’s gaze fell on the earbuds draped around Carter’s neck, hanging down as if he’d been listening to music on his way here.

“Listening to something good?” Leo said, at the exact moment he remembered disparaging Carter’s musical taste on the train. He gave a little, internal wince.

Carter lifted a hand to his earbuds, an impish look in his eye. “Wanna guess? You’ll be surprised.”

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