Page 19 of Love Around the Corner

Novak’s mouth pursed. “Yes, probably.”

“Not that I’m telling you how to run your business...” The last thing he wanted was to kick off another row, not when they’d been getting along so well.

But Novak just sighed. “No, you’re right. I haven’t really…” He gestured around helplessly. “I had a partner, originally. We were going to move here together. The plan was that I’d do the buying and he’d do all the selling, but…” He trailed off, looking sad.

It pierced Alfie, that look. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He took a step closer, concerned, and put a hand on Novak’s arm. “What happened?” Beneath his fingers, he felt the shift of strong, sinewy muscle, and an inappropriate flare of desire flashed across his skin.

Novak blinked at him, his sea-glass eyes darting to Alfie’s hand and back. “I came home from work one night and found him screwing a guy on our sofa,” he said, deadpan. “So I told him to fuck off.”

“Christ,” Alfie blurted. “I thought you were going to say he’d died.”

Novak’s lips quirked in grim amusement. “He nearly did.”

Alfie barked a short laugh and dropped his hand from Novak’s arm. “You’re better off without him, man. What a shitty thing to do.”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone said.” Novak’s smile faded, shoulders slumping. “The business doesn’t agree, though. I just…don’t know how to market it, I guess. I love books but I hate all the promo stuff, you know?”

Alfie nodded in mutual agreement. “Advertising’s the worst,” he said, and for a moment they simply stood there sharing their mutual woes in silence. And it felt…easy. Natural.

Which was weird.

The moment stretched, became too long, hovering on the verge of awkward. Just in time, Alfie remembered he’d had a reason for showing up early. “Here,” he said, reaching into his coat pocket, “I made you that list.”

Novak’s expression cleared, turning from despondency to delight as he took the note. “Of audiobooks?”

“I was going to do my top five.” Alfie smiled at his own overenthusiasm. “It kinda turned into my top twenty-five. These are rated on both the book and the narration, by the way. Trust me, a good book can be ruined by a crappy narration.”

“This is so kind of you.” Novak’s smile broadened, reaching his eyes as he looked up and met Alfie’s gaze. “Thank you. I’ll definitely get hold of these.” His obvious sincerity warmed Alfie right to the center of his chest—to the very part that cradled the little ember of heat he carried for LLB.

Confused, suddenly, he turned away and busied himself looking at the books on the table. “I’m ready when you are,” he said, after a moment. “You need a hand closing up?”

To his surprise, Leo took him up on the offer and between them it only took a couple of minutes to close the shop. Then they were heading out to Alfie’s truck, and off along the dark road to Commack.

They talked books on the way, Novak asking about Alfie’s list, and the fifteen or so miles passed in a flash. Alfie almost felt disappointed that the journey was over when he pulled into the parking lot of the Commack superstore, its entrance guarded on both sides by a pair of glowing inflatable Santas.

“You should take some tips,” he said as he shut the door of his truck. “These guys know how to do promo.”

Novak grimaced. “If you suggest a giant inflatable Santa outside my store, I’ll walk home.”

“Let’s see if we can’t find you something more your style.”

Across the hood of Alfie’s truck, Novak looked at him quizzically. “I thought we were here to buy stuff for the market?”

“No reason we can’t do both, right?”

“I guess not.” Novak’s lips twitched into a quiet smile. “Thanks, uh,Alfie.”

It was the first time Novak had used his first name, and it gave Alfie an unexpected thrill. “No problem,” he said. “Leo.”

Their smiling eyes met and they both looked away, laughing.

Alfie’s heart flipped over like a pancake. Oh yeah, he hadnotimagined that zing of mutual interest. Something was happening. As improbable as it might be, something was kindling between them.

He felt a moment of concern because his feelings for LLB were so confused, but shook it off quickly. He’d deal with that later. Right now, he and Novak—Leo—had a mission to accomplish.

Still smiling, they walked together into the dazzling light of the superstore and for a moment simply stood staring at the explosion of Christmas all around them. Leo’s appalled expression was a picture.

Alfie nudged his arm, grinning. “Welcome to Whoville, Mr. Grinch.”

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