Page 18 of Love Around the Corner

“It’s December 21st.”

“And your point is?”

“I have school tomorrow—and a math test.”

Alfie made a face as he headed over to the counter where she was cashing up for the day. Even the thought of school gave him hives—worst years of his life. “Yeah, that sucks.” He took the cash from her hands. “Go on, I’ve got this. You go study, ace your test. And, remember, we’re not open tomorrow afternoon because I’ll be helping Don and the others set up the Christmas market.”

Dani slid off her chair. “I remember.”

“You’re coming, right?”

“Sure.” She grinned. “I heard Finn Callaghan might be there.”

Alfie rolled his eyes. “Finn isn’t—”

In his pocket, his phone buzzed. But the flutter of anticipation he’d have felt before Tuesday night was muted, transformed into a flutter of anxiety. He’d messaged LLB earlier about this evening’s trip with Novak. Maybe it wasn’t necessary, since LLB was the one who didn’t want to take their friendship into the real world, but Alfie was an upfront guy, he appreciated openness in others and he wanted to be honest with LLB. So he’d told him all about Novak, and that they were running around doing stuff together tonight.

LLB: It’s sweet of you to befriend the guy. I’m sure he appreciates it. And LOL about Persuasion. GMTA?

Alfie smiled, relief easing the tension he’d been carrying all afternoon. LLB didn’t seem bothered by his new friendship. Which was great. Even if—maybe—Alfie had been hoping for a touch of jealousy.

He replied with:GMTA—Gay Minds Think Alike? ;)

“Hey, say ‘hi’ to Secret Boyfriend for me.”

Alfie looked up to find Dani pulling on her coat, eyes smiling. “Who said it’s—?”

“You’re doing the heart-eyes thing again,” she said, pulling a dreamy face.

He threw his oily rag at her. “Go study.”

With a shriek, she dodged out the door and was off. Alfie smiled and went to retrieve the rag from the floor, making short work of cleaning up. The clock on the wall said five-forty-five when he was done, so he figured he might as well head on over to Novak’s. No harm in being a little early.

One thing he hadn’t told LLB was how much he was looking forward to this evening. Silly really, because it was only a shopping trip, but last night… Hell, he could confess it inside his own head: last night, he’d been attracted to the guy. And not only because he was cute. Whether it was Novak’s shy smile, or their shared taste in literature, or that they’d finally gotten past the awkwardness of last Christmas, but Alfie had found himself intensely aware of the man all evening. Of the woodsy scent of his cologne, the warmth of his arm brushing against Alfie’s, the pretty shade of his eyes—a pastel green, he’d discovered, the color of pale sea-glass. More than that, he’d felt something click between them, like puzzle pieces slotting into place.

Whether Novak felt the same, Alfie couldn’t say, but he’d smiled and laughed and that had felt good. It had felt familiar in a way Alfie simply couldn’t explain. Whatever the reason, he was looking forward to this evening—and trying not to think too hard about why. Pulling on his coat, he locked up the shop and headed along Maplewood and around the corner to Bayside Books.

Halfway there, his phone buzzed again.

LLB: Austen’s not just for gays, you know.

Alfie smiled. Novak had said more or less the same thing last night.

Austen’s for everyone, Alfie sent back and then shoved his phone in his pocket as he approached Novak’s store. The lights were still on and he could see Novak sitting behind the counter, smiling as he studied his phone. It was a sweet smile, a little dreamy, and Alfie felt a telling contraction in his stomach.

Hell.

There were no customers inside the store, but Alfie couldn’t really say he was surprised. New Milton in the off-season was pretty dead. Alfie got by on local business, but there were only so many used books the local population could ever need and Novak wasn’t doing much to attract what little passing trade there was.

Pushing open the door, Alfie stepped into the welcome warmth of the store. “Hey,” he said, as Novak looked up from his phone.

He smiled. “You’re early.”

“If you’ve got stuff to do, I’ll just hang out.” Alfie hadn’t been inside before, which pinged his conscience; he hadn’t been inside because he’d been nursing his hurt pride like a sulky adolescent. “This is great,” he said, turning around to admire the dark wooden bookshelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The whole place had an antique vibe, reminding him of something out of Diagon Alley. Not that he’d say as much aloud—Novak might not approve of books likeHarry Potter. LLB did, although he said he preferred the movies, heretic that he was.

In front of the old-fashioned wooden counter stood a table piled with dozens of books, although Alfie had to admit it was difficult to see how or if they were related. In fact, as charmingly cluttered as the shop appeared, Alfie had no idea how he’d find anything. Novak probably knew how it was all organized, but as a customer Alfie felt lost.

“You need some Christmas titles on here,” he suggested, tapping the table. “You must have some Dickens. Or Agatha Christie?”

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