Page 66 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“Diabolical.” Leo grinned.

“I lucked out because Dora ended up with apple slices mixed in mashed potatoes topped with Nutella.”

“Gross.” He stopped massaging. “I can’t top those, but probably the weirdest one was fugu.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Japanese pufferfish.” His fingers moved again. “Poisonous if not cooked correctly. It’s delicious, though. I usually get it at this Japanese restaurant I go to.”

Mental note to avoid fugu. “All right, yuck on the food stuff. Let’s find a question less disgusting.”

“Please do.”

“Here’s a question for you. Why a cat café? Why not just a regular coffee shop, or some other business?”

“I’ve always loved animals, not just cats. I spent as much time as I could volunteering at animal shelters as soon as I was old enough. That carried through college and after I graduated. When I heard about the concept of a cat café, the dream took root. My ex was never on board, so when we broke up I decided to make Pawsitive Vibes happen.” She smiled. “Best decision I ever made.”

He nodded, mulling over what she said. “Pecan Corner has your rotten ex to thank for all this.” He gestured to the lounge. “Not a bad deal, in my opinion.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way, other than she’d had to throw herself into something she loved after their breakup or she would have spiraled into depression. “No,” she said softly. “It’s a great one.”

Her phone started to buzz with a text, but the cell was on one of the tables. No pockets in this tight dress. While she could stay here all night and ask him questions, she didn’t want to miss the message if it was important. “I’d better get that,” she said, moving her feet out of his lap. She’d taken advantage of his solicitousness enough and enjoyed every second of it. “It might be Dora.”

He stood with her. “I need to get back to the apartment anyway. Unless you want some help cleaning up.”

“It won’t take long.” She turned and faced him. “As soon as I’m done, I’m heading upstairs and getting out of this dress. It’s tootight and too small.” Now that she was talking about it, she felt a little ashamed at how terrible she looked in it. “Too many rolls too.”

He tilted his head, his eyes on her intently. Then they slid up and down her body, returning to her face and filled with reverence. “Via... you’re beautiful.”

Her mouth dropped open as his smile sent hot chills through her. Then he turned and left. She almost puddled against one of the tables. She assumed he thought she looked dumpy. Instead he thought she was beautiful.

Friends, friends, friends...

“Oh, shut up,” she said out loud, allowing herself to enjoy the moment, no matter what Leo’s intent was with his compliment. He’d made her feel good, and she was going to savor it.

The next morning, Leo got a call from Charlie saying the Turismo would be ready this afternoon. Finally, he was getting his baby back. After he set up a time to pick up his car, he went on a run, taking it easy this time. He still preferred swimming, but jogging in the cool autumn air while taking in the ever-changing leaves was more than a decent substitute. Then he spent the rest of the day in the apartment.

Two hours before he was supposed to meet Via to go camping, it was time to go get the Turismo. Wearing another one of Earl’s T-shirts—this one from the eighties with the wordRadon the front—and his jean jacket, he headed for Dipstick Depot. He was starting to enjoy Earl’s wardrobe, regardless of it being so antiquated. Casual shirts had been verboten growing up. Polos or dress shirts only. He didn’t wear his first T-shirt until on a schooltrip to Boston his senior year. Even as a businessman, he refused to dress too lax. He never knew if he’d run into a client at a restaurant, the club, the beach, or anywhere else in the posh areas of LA he frequented. But he was more comfortable than he ever thought he’d be in an old shirt, broken-in jeans, and tennis shoes.

The benefit of having to walk almost everywhere in Pecan Corner wasn’t just physical. He also had some time to think about last night. Not that he hadn’t thought about it plenty already after he left Pawsitive Vibes and then on his morning run. So many slipups in so little time. Staring at her in her dress, making her feel self-conscious. Going all dry-mouthed like a teenager and telling her she only looked fine when she asked if there was something wrong. No matter the excuse, he should have told her the truth—she was beautiful. He’d seen her disappointment when he didn’t. Thankfully, he’d rectified that before he left, and her eyes lit up like the candles on a birthday cake at his compliment.

Working the Meow and Mingle was more fun than he’d anticipated. He was in his element at a cocktail party, despite not liking them. Years of training in the East Coast social world, then adapting to West Coast mores, made being charming and feigning interest second nature. He did meet some nice and interesting people, though. That seemed to be the norm in Pecan Corner.

But what he mostly mused on was his snap decision to rub her feet. When he saw Via in pain, he had to do something. Rubbing her feet made sense and she said she enjoyed it. Not as much as he enjoyed the physical contact, though.

Dipstick Depot was at the end of the block and as he neared, his excitement grew. He’d been without his car for too long. He saw the Turismo in the parking lot, gleaming in the afternoon sun, and it made him smile.

Charlie walked out of one of the two garage bays, a big grin onhis face. “She’s all ready,” he said as they met each other by the driver’s side.

Leo lovingly touched the roof. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Like I said, it was my pleasure.” Charlie looked the car over. “Probably won’t ever have another chance to work on a masterpiece like this one.”

He listened as the mechanic went over everything he did to the car, including hand-washing her this morning. “You didn’t have to do that—”

Charlie stopped him. “All part of the service we provide here at Dipstick.”

What a name. But it suited Pecan Corner’s quirky milieu. “How’s Dora?” Leo asked.