Page 18 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“Son, I’ve been in that store. It’s a fire hazard. A dumpster diver’s dream. A—”

“Got it.” His back teeth ground. He hated being calledson, by anyone.

“If you’ll just listen to my proposal—”

“Tell you what.” Leo stood. “When you’re serious, I’ll listen. Have a good day.”

“But—”

Leo hung up. Probably not the best way to end a negotiation, but if the guy really wanted Second Chapter, he’d call back. Leo even took a few minutes to wait and see if he did. When he didn’t, Leo went back to the kitchen to put up the rest of the groceries, only to pause. If Perry was interested in Earl’s property, he was sure others would be too.

But he couldn’t do anything until he fulfilled his uncle’s squirrelly stipulations. He looked around the apartment again. Considering the state of this place and the shop downstairs, thirty days probably wouldn’t be enough. He would need some help, and there was only one person he could ask.

Via stood behind the counter at Pawsitive Vibes, cleaning the coffee station. She returned from Bennett’s office over two hours ago, and after taking off her jacket and composing herself in her office, she was ready to put Earl, Leo, and Second Chapter behind her and focus on work.

But herding cats was easier than forgetting what happened in Bennett’s office, and she was an expert cat herder. She was still reeling from confirming that Earl had planned to give her Second Chapter. Not give, exactly. She knew that. When he’d offered to let her buy her half of the building and apartment at an almost rock-bottom price, she’d been surprised and grateful. It had tapped her out, but it was worth it. She had no doubt he would have sold her his business at a reduced rate, too, when the time came. Not that it mattered anymore.

Birdie sidled up to her, holding a stack of new coffee cups. “You okay?”

No use denying that she wasn’t. Birdie wouldn’t let her, evenif she tried. “Why didn’t Earl tell me about his nephew? I thought we were close friends.”

She unwrapped the stack. “No one knew, not just you. And everyone is allowed a secret or two.”

She nodded but didn’t agree. Trevor had kept so many secrets from her during their five-year relationship, and the biggest one ended up making her look like a fool. To her family, friends, and herself. If she’d only been smarter, on her guard more—

Birdie set the cups next to several bottles of coffee syrups. “What do you think will happen to Second Chapter?”

A soft chorus of meows kicked up as the bell over the front door rang. Toffee and Luna always liked to tell customers hello and goodbye, usually from their seat in the window. They did love to sunbathe.

Via put the mugs into the sink and switched on the tap. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe Leo will run it himself?”

Via scoffed. “Does he look like a bookstore owner to you?”

“I didn’t know they had a particular look. Earl sure didn’t.”

Another meow pierced the air. Loud and insistent. Via didn’t have to look up to see it was Sir Meow, sitting in front of the side door directly across from the cat lounge that led to the apartment stairs.

“He’s been there ever since you left for Bennett’s,” Birdie pointed out.

“He must think Leo’s upstairs.” She sighed. “I’m sure he’s long gone by now. He couldn’t wait to get out of here.”

“Meow!” Sir said again. Then two more for good measure.

Via frowned. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with him.”

“Leo?” Dora said, arranging the hand-painted greeting cards she made on a rack in the merchandise section.

“I’m talking about Sir.” Although now she was wondering what she was going to do with Dora. Even though she’d explained what happened at the meeting with Bennett, along with telling her that Leo didn’t even respond to her pleading with him not to ruin Earl’s shop, Dora’s opinion of him hadn’t changed. Just the opposite—she was thrilled at the prospect of Leo sticking around. “He’s never acted this way before,” she said as Sir expressed two more plaintive cries. “Maybe I need to take him to the vet.”

They both looked at him. Now he was flopped on the floor on his side, his paw touching the bottom of the door.

“Are you sure Leo isn’t up there?” Dora said, joining her and Birdie behind the counter. “His car is still parked outside.”

“It is?” She hadn’t thought to check the parking lot.

The bell above the café door chimed again, and Luna and Toffee meowed hello. This time Sir joined in. As soon as Via looked up, she saw him dash to the front of the café—something he rarely did. Usually he would give whoever was coming inside a bored glance.