Page 3 of Decorated

Alfie didn’t know whether to be offended or to laugh. He was far more inclined to laugh. Instead of searching the front hall, like Blaine was doing, he took a better look at Blaine.

The man was half gay cliché and half totally unique. His rainbow shirt was probably by a big-name designer, not that Alfie knew anything about that world. His hair was a little long but in a flattering cut with a fair amount of product in it. He smelled good as well, like an expensive cologne that was supposed to be subtle but that you couldn’t stop thinking about once you smelled it. He clearly took care with his appearance, even though he exuded chaotic energy.

“Shit,” Blaine hissed again, then pulled back behind Alfie.

Alfie turned from assessing Blaine to glancing out into the hall. He didn’t see anything particularly alarming. People were still coming and going, presumably to classes.

There was one man, probably in his thirties, completely ordinary-looking, who stood in the middle of the hall, looking around with his eyes narrowed slightly. He was searching for something, and when he moved toward the office, Alfie wondered if Blaine was the thing he was looking for.

After a brief exchange with Early in the office, he stepped back out and headed in Alfie’s and Blaine’s direction. Blaine must have seen him, because he sucked in a breath and stiffened. Blaine shifted closer to Alfie as the man walked closer, and then right past them into the old-fashioned hall. The man didn’t stop or even acknowledge Alfie standing there.

“Is he gone?” Blaine asked, proving the man was after him somehow.

“He is,” Alfie said, twisting toward him. “I know it’s none of my business, but?—”

“Great,” Blaine spoke right over him.

Blaine shot out from behind him and hurried across the front hall toward the office, dragging Alfie with him for some reason.

He seemed to realize he’d taken Alfie’s hand and strung him along halfway down the hall and let go. Alfie wasn’t sure he liked breaking contact like that.

The whole thing was bizarre. He didn’t believe in having an instant draw to people, unless it was the sort of instant draw he had at a bar when he was looking for a hook-up for the night. Maybe that’s what this was. Blaine was definitely the kind of guy he would get a hotel room with for one night. It had been months since he’d hit up that scene. He could have just needed to give his libido a top-up.

He didn’t have time to question his reaction to Blaine before an older guy with an impressive, white beard who looked like ahippie came down the grand staircase and raised a hand to greet him.

“You must be Corporal Spears,” he said, reaching the marble floor and starting across it with his hand extended. “I’m Robert Hawthorne. I’ve been expecting you.”

“Mr. Hawthorne.” Alfie immediately switched back into business mode, taking Hawthorne’s hand and shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Hawthorne made a dismissive sound and waved his hand when he let go of Alfie’s. “None of that ‘sir’ stuff. You can call me Robert.”

“Robert,” Alfie confirmed with a nod. “It’s a pleasure to work with you.”

“And with you,” Robert said. “I love the idea of this toy drive. We’re so happy to have Hawthorne House host the party to end it. Ever since this summer, my family and I have been looking for more and more ways we can serve the community, and this is a great one.”

“We’re glad you’re willing to host,” Alfie said. He intended to keep things all business, but his sentimental side got the better of him. “I’m personally happy to finally get a look at Hawthorne House. My dad attended school here in the late eighties and early nineties when it was Dormans Boys’ School.”

“Really?” Robert asked, looking delighted. “Then I’ll have to give you the full tour instead of just showing you the dining hall and where to put your donation box. Do you have the donation box here?”

“In the office,” Alfie said.

“Great,” Robert said, heading for the office.

Alfie followed, but instead of thinking only of the box and the toy drive, his thoughts zeroed in on Blaine when he spotted the man with his back plastered against the side of a filing cabinet, peeking out into the hall.

He wanted to laugh and shake his head, which, of course, he would never do in public. Something about Blaine Hawthorne entertained him, though.

Robert clearly thought so as well.

“Blaine, what are you doing in here looking like you’re trying to avoid a swarm of bees or something?” he asked.

“Hiding,” Blaine answered.

Alfie’s brow shot up. At least he was honest, even if he was bloody ridiculous.

“Hiding from what?” Robert asked.

“Er, um, it’s kind of a long story,” Blaine said.

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