Page 46 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“Yeah,” Via added. No wonder he was so upset.

“How long are you backed up? A month?” He started pacing. “Is there another dealership— Toledo? Nothing closer? Yeah, put me on the waiting list. Sure. Thanks.” He hung up, then turned around. “Guess you heard all that.”

“What’s wrong with the car?” Dora asked.

“Don’t know.” He sighed.

“I’m sure Charlie won’t mind taking a look at it.”

Via glanced at her sister. She looked extra cute today. Her hair was a shade darker than Via’s, and she had it in a loose updo with long tendrils framing her face. She wore a brown parka with a blue sweater peeking out from the neckline, slim jeans, and tennis shoes.

Leo shook his head. “It has to be worked on by a dealer or the warranty will be invalid.”

“Would it hurt if he just looked?” Dora offered. “Maybe it’s something simple you could do yourself.”

“I’m not a mechanic and this isn’t a simple car.” His tone was sharp. Then, “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry, I’d be mad too.” Dora shrugged. “There’s nothing we can do now. The pumpkin patch should take your mind off things.”

“If you were even going,” Via grumbled. Oops, that wasn’t supposed to hit the airwaves.

He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You tell me.”

“No,” he said, moving closer to her, his dark brows knitted together. “You’re the one who said it.”

Dora frowned. “I’m going to wait by Gold Yeller while you two work out whatever this is.” She scurried off.

Via lifted her chin. “Why were you leaving? Were you going to ghost me?”

His flat brow shot up. “What? Where did that come from?”

He genuinely looked surprised by her accusation, but he didn’t deny it. She paused, waiting for the litany of excuses he’d give her so she wouldn’t be mad at him for being in the wrong. She’d been through this song and dance before, many times. Promises broken, excuses made, forgiveness begged, only to go through the cycle again and again.

Instead he just looked at her, incredulous.

“You weren’t at your apartment at four thirty,” she said, pleading her case and realizing she sounded off her rocker in doing so.

He pulled out his phone. “It’s 4:37, Via. Seven minutes late. I came down here at four to take the Turismo around the block before we met in the back. It’s been a few days since I last drove it.” He glared at the car before turning to her again. “What I definitely wasn’t going to do was stand you up.”

She closed her eyes, wanting to crawl into a hole.

“Why would you even think I would?”

Because it’s what I’m used to.But it wasn’t his fault she immediately went to the dark side.

“Via, we need to get something straight here. I don’t go back on my word. If I say I’m going do something, I will do it. Understand?”

Sir meowed from his catpack.

“Sir’s in there?” Leo said.

“This is his preferred method of travel.”

“Turn around,” he said, motioning to Via. When she did, he added, “Is he safe?”

“Yes, Leo.” She never would have thought it possible that he would concern himself with Sir’s safety the first day they met. Now the two of them were hanging out in Second Chapter on a regular basis. Then again, she wasn’t exactly accurate on assumptions lately.