Page 41 of Love Around the Corner

“You won’t be able to sell them now,” Alfie had said last year, on one of those lazy days between Christmas and New Years when they’d barely left the house, or each other’s arms. “You ruined your stock writing all over them. It’s not good business, Novak.”

Leo had kissed him. They’d been in bed, he recalled—of course they had. He’d kissed Alfie and said, “They’re yours, now. They’re a love letter. You have to keep them.”

Alfie had grinned and kissed him, and then one thing had led to another and they hadn’t talked about the books anymore. But a couple days into January, when Leo was still moving his stuff in box-by-box, he’d found Alfie building the bookcase in the entryway and the books had been on display there ever since.

He reached out and touched them, running his fingers along their spines, before he sent a quick reply to Alfie:On my way.Then he pulled on his heavy boots, coat, hat, scarf, and gloves and opened the door.

Outside, the winter snow-scape glowed a frosty blue in the twilight, pretty as a Christmas card. Eager, now, to see his boyfriend—such an inadequate word for all Alfie meant to him—Leo hurried along to Main Street and past Bayside Books. The little Christmas tree he’d got last year had been back in the window since December first, and he smiled, as he always did, when he saw it and remembered the day he and Alfie had bought it together.

Up ahead, a much larger tree stood resplendent in the Church parking lot, its rainbow lights brilliant against a darkening sky. Leo’s smile broadened. The market looked amazing, with more stalls than last year, more lights, more snow—and they’d even sourced a real Santa Claus and sleigh for the kids. No reindeer, though. Maybe next year.

He spotted Alfie right away, standing halfway between Leo’s stall and Dee’s, his face lighting up when their eyes met. Alfie’s affection never dimmed, and Leo knew it was mirrored in his own eyes as he made his way through the milling stall owners toward Alfie. But before he reached him, Leo was intercepted by another eager greeting—from Wentworth, their gorgeous, six-month-old golden retriever who was dancing in excited circles at the sight of him.

“Hey!” He crouched down, ruffling Wentworth’s silky fur. “Have you been a good boy for Alfie?”

“He’s been great,” Alfie said, keeping a firm grip on the leash nonetheless. “Haven’t you, Wentworth? You’ve been a good boy today.”

Leo looked up, caught Alfie’s smiling brown eyes, and grinned. Pushing to his feet, he leaned over Wentworth and kissed Alfie lightly on his cold lips. “Stall looks awesome,” he said, casting his eyes over the table with the display stands he’d bought and the wooden sign painted in red and gold. “I love the sign, Alfie.”

“Yeah, the whole market looks great, huh?”

“Like something out ofA Christmas Carol.”

“Hmm.” He lifted a doubtful eyebrow. “Maybe the Muppet version.”

Leo laughed and made his way behind the stall. He perched on one of the chairs, rolling his eyes at the vanilla latte and almond croissant waiting for him. “I wasn’t kidding about my party clothes, you know.”

“I wasn’t kidding about you going naked,” Alfie said with a grin. “Besides, today’s a special occasion. We’re celebrating.”

“Are we?”

“Sure.” He looked a little…odd, suddenly. Nervous? “Today’s exactly a year since we met at the Whiskey Jack.”

Ugh. Leo grimaced. “Why are we celebrating that disaster?”

“Hey. That was the day everything started. Imagine if we hadn’t met?” He performed an exaggerated shudder. “We could have carried on living next door to each other forever and never have known.”

Leo gave a reluctant smile. “I guess, but you know I hate to remember what an ass I—”

“Shh.” Reaching over the stall, Alfie squeezed his shoulder. “It wasn’t a great night for either of us, but we started a journey that day. It got off to a rocky start—”

“To put it mildly.”

Alfie sighed. “Do you mind? I’m trying to say something here.” He cleared his throat and Leo watched, bemused, as he squared his shoulders. “It got off to a rocky start, but it didn’t take long to smooth out, and since then…” His expression softened. “Hell, you called us soulmates once, Leo, and that’s how it feels to me. I love you so much. Which is why I… I want to make this permanent.”

Leo blinked at him. “Permanent?”

“As in—” He smiled, flushing. “Damn. This isn’t as easy as it seems in the books. Hang on.” Walking round to the back of the stall, Wentworth following obediently, Alfie took Leo’s hand and sank to one knee in the snow. Wentworth gave his face a curious snuffle and Alfie batted him gently away. “Sit,” he said firmly. “I’m busy proposing.”

“Oh my God,” Leo laughed, flushing as he felt a dozen pairs of eyes fix on them, the babble of the market dropping to a couple of whispers, a giggle, and the hiss and burble of the coffee machine at Dee’s stall next door. “Alfie, get up, you’ll get wet. And everyone’s looking.”

But Alfie didn’t move, just gazed at him, and the world melted away as Leo lost himself in those dark beloved eyes. “I fell in love with you before I knew your face,” Alfie said. “And now yours is the most precious face in the world to me.” Leo’s heart billowed, so full he couldn’t speak. “Leo,” Alfie went on quietly, “would you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me?”

For a moment, Leo couldn’t breathe. His emotions were too high, his heart overflowing. Pressing his lips together, he clutched Alfie’s hand and nodded. “Yes,” he managed eventually, a rasping, laughing word. “Yes, of course I will. I’d love to. I want to.” Alfie grinned and Leo laughed, and then they were both on their feet, locked in each other’s arms, hugging so tight Leo felt his ribs creek.

From all around came whoops and applause and above it all Dee’s delighted voice rang out. “Everyone—drinks are on me!”

Leo didn’t move for a long time, buried in the sure comfort of Alfie’s arms, breathing in the familiar scent of him, struggling to keep hold of his fly-away feelings as Wentworth jumped up, trying to join in the celebration. Eventually, as the kafuffle died down, Leo pulled back far enough to ruffle Wentworth’s head and gaze into Alfie’s smiling eyes. Blinking back tears, he asked, “You really want this?”

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