Jamie liked Alfie right away. There was something easy about him—no weird vibes, no guarded pauses. Just warmth. Alfie had made him feel like he belonged, even though they’d only met that morning over pancakes and coffee. It was rare for Jamie to feel that kind of welcome so fast, and he didn’t take it lightly.
He watched Alfie’s hands as he talked, the way he gestured with enthusiasm, like everything he said mattered. Jamie felt seen, like he wasn’t just tagging along—he was part of the moment.
“Are you in a band?” Jamie asked, curious. Alfie had a cool energy, like he could’ve been the lead singer in some indie group.
Alfie laughed. “Me? No way. I work at an animal shelter. I’m trying to be a vet.”
Jamie smiled. That made sense. Alfie had a gentle vibe, like he’d know exactly how to calm a scared puppy—or a nervous friend. “I like your hair,” Jamie said, eyeing the streaks of color that somehow looked both wild and intentional.
Alfie grinned. “Hey, I can color yours for you. I did my own. We could look like twins.”
Jamie’s heart did a little flip. He wasn’t used to people offering things like that—not just favors, but connection. Alfie made it feel easy, like being close wasn’t something you had to earn.
Jamie wondered if Alfie knew anything about Spencer. After all, Alfie’s boyfriend Nathan was best friends with him. Maybe Alfie had insight, or stories, or just… a sense of who Spencer really was. Jamie wasn’t sure if he wanted to ask yet, but the thought lingered.
For now, he just let himself enjoy the moment. Alfie was real. And Jamie hadn’t felt this kind of real in a long time.
They got to work, looping the lights around the windows and across the beams overhead. Alfie was chatty, tossing out ideas for the party—music, snacks, maybe a snowball fight if the weather held. Jamie mostly listened, nodding occasionally laughing when Alfie got tangled in the cords.
They decorated the long wooden table next, laying out a red plaid runner and setting up little pinecones and candles. It looked festive, like something out of a holiday magazine. Jamie felt a weird mix of joy and nerves. He had done nothing like this in years.
After a while, Alfie flopped into one of the chairs and cracked open a soda. “Break time,” he declared.
Jamie joined him, sipping his own drink, the cold fizz sharp against his throat. “How long have you been with Nathan?”
“Two years. He’s a great daddy.”
“That’s awesome.” Jamie wished he were as happy as Alfie looked. He was brimming with positive energy, like a tightly wound spring. So happy. What was happy anyway?
“So,” Alfie said, eyes twinkling. “You and Spencer… are you a thing?”
Jamie blinked. “Uh… I don’t know what we are.”
Alfie tilted his head. “He helped you out, right?”
Jamie nodded. “Yeah. He found me on the side of the road. I didn’t have anything. He’s been… really kind.”
Alfie leaned in, voice dropping a little. “Spencer has had no one. Daddy Nathan told me. Said he’s a good daddy. Like, really good. Any boy would be lucky.”
Jamie felt his cheeks warm. He looked down at his soda can, fingers tracing the rim. “I wish he’d take me as his boy,” he whispered, almost surprised he’d said it to another person.
Alfie smiled. “Then tell him. Or show him. He’s not the type to play games.”
Jamie nodded, but his stomach twisted. “What if he meets someone at the party? Someone better?”
Alfie frowned. “You think he’s looking past you?”
Jamie shrugged. “I don’t know. I just… I don’t want to be left behind again.”
Alfie reached over and squeezed his hand. “You won’t be. Not if you let him see how much you want to stay with him.”
Jamie didn’t answer. He just looked out the window at the falling snow, heart thudding. The party was two days away, and the thought of being alone again scared him more than he wanted to admit.
“Another thing, he told Daddy Nathan he didn’t think he would find a boy in one week and he also feared no one from here would want to move to Montana. What about you? Would you move to Montana?”
“I don’t know. My biggest fear is he would move me and then later dump me and I’d be stuck in Montana. I love it here.”
“Let me tell you about Spencer. We visited him in Montana. It’s a big ranch. All sorts of animals and tons of horses. If he moved you, he’d keep you.”
