Book of Love - David Horne Page 0,13

last time Matt heard of Alfie.

Rising from his spot on the couch, he cleaned up the takeout containers and got ready for bed. As he lay down on his bed, he turned to lie on his back. Idly he stroked his stomach. Matt wondered to himself if he ever should have allowed the world to know that he was the one to come forward.

Air rushed out of his nose as Matt thought more about the things that he usually wouldn't allow himself to think about. Matt had always thought that Alfie was terrific to look at. Now, he was even more so now. Matt knew that being in football and with everything that happened, he knew he really didn't have a chance.

Perhaps he could have a chance if Alfie saw the real him. If Alfie got to know who Matt really was and what he liked and the silly little habits he had. Matt would love to know more about Alfie—what he loved to eat, what his favorite drink was, what kind of movies did he like to watch, what was his favorite book and how did he get Sam.

He wanted to know more about Alfie. Maybe he could be friends. He had the opportunity to try at the very least. Nodding to himself, Matt turned onto his side and finally allowed sleep to claim him.

***

It didn't take long for his dream to take shape. It has been said that you tend to dream about the person you last thought of. That normally wasn't the case with Matt, but, it seemed that this one time, it was true.

It started off innocent and just what Matt wanted to happen. Alfie opening up to him about the things that are clearly being hidden. They were talking in the store, just having a slow day when Alfie weirdly looks at him. It was in a way that Matt knew, but, in his dreams, can't seem to understand.

Alfie was wearing a loose white shirt that was lipping down one shoulder, revealing the creamy colored skin. The man's elegant neck was on display as he tilted his head to the side.

Alfie made his way then, to the back of the counter and boxed Matt in with those captivating green eyes. Matt moved until his back was against the wall. Alfie's face was just a few inches away from his face. He could see the darker blond eyelashes fluttering as slightly closed his eyes. The look sent chills of excitement down Matt’s spine. Graceful fingers touched his cheek to lower his face to meet Alfie face to face. He didn't give Matt any time to react when suddenly Alfie kissed him. It was gentle, sweet, and oh so innocent, but it was enough to get his heart racing.

It was at that moment that Matt woke up, his pounding heart probably the cause. He was sitting upright and was breathing hard. He cursed himself for the secret crush he had had on Alfie in high school and thinking now was a good time to rekindle is crush.

Growling low in his throat. Matt scrubbed his face with his hands before falling back to the bed with a groan that had a bit of a whine at the end.

"Great, just great. How am I going to look the guy in the face tomorrow?" he asked to a silent room.

It turned out that the universe was kind to him the next day. Alfie had a lot of things to do and would be in his office for most of the day. By the time Alfie emerged from the office, Matt had calmed his heart and brain down to the point where his heart only made a small flutter when Alfie came to ask him if he was hungry.

What made it a little bit harder was that Alfie was wearing a shirt similar to the one Matt had in his dream. The only saving grace was that Alfie had an undershirt on. So the black strap of the shirt was covering most of the shoulder.

They ate together as Sam played with his chew toy next to Alfie. The puppy was, however, watching Matt all the while.

After they ate, they just sat back into the couches to relax the rest of their hour lunch break. Alfie was looking at Matt. The expression luckily was nothing like the seductive one he had in his dream. It was more a thoughtful one.

"What are the chances that someone else from your family or friend group