Page 25 of Love Around the Corner

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Leo’s phone buzzed in his back pocket shortly after Alfie disappeared to take a look around the rest of the market. Making use of a lull in customers, Leo sank down onto the chair behind his stall and pulled out his phone.

He read the message about five times.I need to tell you something. This guy? I really like him….

Hewas the guy. Alfie was telling him he really liked…him. Christ, this was getting complicated. But he had to reply, and with the only truth he dared admit:

You’ll always be my friend xx

Despite the crazy situation, he found himself grinning as he re-read Alfie’s message, his heart fluttering as a great, fat flake of snow landed on his phone screen. He was wiping it off on his jeans when a shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Dee standing in front of his stall.

“Evening, Romeo.” She wore a bright purple hat and scarf and behind her he could see the snow making a more determined effort. “I’m looking for a romance novel,” Dee said, “one with a happy ending.”

Not quite trusting the acerbic edge to her voice, Leo said, “That pretty much defines the genre.”

“Hmmm.” She peered at him over the tops of her pink glasses. “I’m looking for one where the hero steps up and tells the truth.”

Leo was on his feet in an instant, scanning the crowd for Alfie. “Shhh...”

“I take it from the meercat impersonation that you haven’t told him.”

“I’m going to.” He busied himself straightening the books on the table, not looking at her. “It’s difficult.”

“It’s four words.” She ticked each one off on a finger. “I’m. Your. Online. Boyfriend.”

Leo glanced around again, spotted Alfie in line for drinks on the other side of the market, and relaxed a little. “I meant it’s complicated,” he said. “If I tell him now I’ll look like…like some kind of crazy stalker.”

Her arched eyebrow spoke volumes. “And whose fault is that?”

“Iamgoing to tell him,” he insisted. “I just have to find the right time. If I don’t, I could…” He swallowed around the bitter thought. “I could lose them both.”

“Themboth?” Dee’s eyebrows collided with her purple hat. “Listen to yourself, Leo Novak. It’s thesame man.”

“I know that.”

“So tell him the truth.”

“I will.”

She fixed him with an uncompromising look. “You’d better. Because, if you don’t, I will. Alfie Carter’s a good, honest man. I won’t let you toy with him like this.”

“I’m not toying with him!” The accusation stung. “I’ll tell him, okay?” Past her shoulder, he saw Alfie making his way toward them carrying two steaming cups. “I’ll tell him tonight. After the market.”

Dee must have followed his gaze, because she turned to greet Alfie with a smile. “Thanks for all your help today,” she said as he joined them. “Couldn’t have done it without you, Alfie.”

“It’s going great, huh? Everyone’s loving it.”

They chatted for a few moments more before Dee headed back to her stall, leaving Leo with a stern parting look. He watched her go, wishing he could blame her for interfering, but knowing that she was right. He had to tell Alfie the truth before things got any more complicated between them, but how could he tell Alfie he’d been at the Whiskey Jack that night? That he’d chosen to let Alfie think LLB hadn’t shown up? He was afraid their burgeoning friendship couldn’t withstand that cold blast of truth, and he didn’t think he could bear that.

“Hey, cheer up.” Alfie held out a warm cup. “Hot chocolate with whipped cream.”

Leo smiled despite his worries. Something about Alfie provoked his smiles. “Thanks.” He shivered, the cold creeping past all his layers and into his bones after three hours standing around outside. He took a sip, the warm creamy flavor comforting, and he gave a quiet sigh of pleasure. “This is amazing.”

Alfie didn’t reply, but Leo didn’t miss the darkening of his eyes or the way his gaze had dipped to Leo’s lips. The currents between them shifted, running together like waves on the beach, and when Alfie lifted his eyes to Leo’s it was with an honest heat. Had they been alone, Leo might have leaned across the table and answered that look with a kiss. But he could practically feel Dee’s disapproving glare from the other side of the market, so he broke their long look and watched the crowd instead. It was thinning as the snow started to fall with serious intent. “Weather’s closing in,” he said. It happened like this near the coast, he’d noticed, the clouds racing in from over the water without warning.

“Yeah,” Alfie said. “We should think about packing up. Your books are gonna get wet.”

“Shit.” He hadn’t considered that. They pulled the boxes at the front of the stall under the table, the gazebo above keeping the worst off, but all around them people were starting to pack up as the crowds headed home for the night, children squealing in delight, parents worrying about the state of the roads.

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