Chapter 16
“They’re hurting, right?” Leo said.
Via probably should have pondered his offer to rub her feet more than a split second, considering this was a little intimate
for friendship. But the idea of getting some relief overrode everything else. She smoothed out her dress and then put both
her feet on his thighs. As soon as he started massaging, she was in heaven. “Ooh, that’s great.” She would have moaned, but
she had to keep some dignity. “Oh, my feet need this.”
He applied just the right amount of pressure to her heels.
“Thanks,” she said, relaxing against the cushions. The rest of the cats left them alone, overwhelmed from the activity. Even
Squeaks had gone to sleep. Via had peeked in on her right before the end of the event. Leo had everything well in hand, so
she could take the small break.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You put on a terrific event, Via.” He moved to the center of her arches. “I didn’t do much.”
“You had the ladies eating out of your hand.” She chuckled. “A couple of the men too.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “This was basically a cocktail party. I can maneuver through those in my sleep. Requirement of the job. I’m sure you’ve been to your fair share.”
“A couple of Christmas parties with—” She almost said he-who-shall-not-be-named. She spotted one of the mingle question sheets
on the coffee table and impulsively picked it up to cleanse her mind of her ex. “I haven’t read any of these yet,” she said.
“Me neither.” He sat farther back on the couch, taking her legs and feet with him. “Didn’t have time to.”
She scanned the sheet. “There’re some fun questions on here.” She peeked over the top of the page at him. He was seemingly
fully focused on her feet. Ah, so nice. “Want to hear a few?”
His fingers stopped moving for a second, then continued massaging. “Sure.”
He wasn’t looking at her, and she was second-guessing whether she should have asked him. But she had and he agreed, so she
carried on. “Number one,” she said, holding up the paper. “What is the weirdest food combination you’ve ever tried?”
“I’ll need to think about it for a minute.”
“Mine is bananas dipped in soy sauce and smothered in cayenne pepper.”
His gaze shot to her. “That sounds horrendous. Where did you get that?”
“Fergus. When we were kids we did this blindfold taste test with Dora. She and I made normal stuff and he made . . . that.”
“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 too tight 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 word Rad on 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 school trip 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 on his 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.
“Much better. She stayed home today.” Charlie stuck his hands into his frayed red jacket pockets. “She was done throwing up
by the time I got there, thank goodness. Must have caught a twenty-four-hour bug.”
“Glad to hear she’s okay.”
“She felt bad about Via having to do the Mingle by herself.” He leaned closer to Leo, lowering his voice. “Don’t tell her,
but I was relieved we got out of going last night. Not that I wanted her to be sick, but I wasn’t looking forward to the whole
speed dating thing. Of course, I would have helped out.” He rocked back on his heels, staring at the car again before glancing
back at Leo. “The things we do for the women we love.”
Love? He’d never been in love. Wasn’t sure he’d recognize it if he were.
“Well, here you go.” He handed Leo the automatic key. “Enjoy.”
Leo took it from him. “Thanks, Charlie.” He went to open the driver side door, then paused. “Want to go for a ride?”
His eyes widened. “For real?”
“If you’ve got the time—”
“You bet I do!” When he started rounding the car to go to the passenger side, Leo stopped him.
“You drive.”
Charlie froze. “Me?”
Leo opened the door for him. “Hop in.”
“Hey, Vern!” he shouted at the other guy in the garage. “Hold down the fort. I’ll be back in a little while.”
Soon they were off, and for the first time, Leo was a passenger in his Gran Turismo. He’d never let anyone drive his car before.
He glanced at Charlie. Saw how happy he was behind the wheel. Once they were out of Pecan Corner limits and on one of the
less-traveled county roads, he said, “Want to open her up?”
Charlie grinned. “Oh yeah.”
Off they flew.
Via glanced at the cat clock on the wall. One hour until closing time, and then she’d pack up her stuff and Sir and head out
for her camping trip. The text she received last night had been from her sister, who was checking in and apologizing yet again
for not being there. Via told her the Mingle was a success, not to worry about it, and to focus on getting well. She left
the details out on purpose, especially anything having to do with Leo. But she knew Dora would eventually want a complete
breakdown of everything that happened. Via would tell it all, except for the foot rub. And the breezy conversation. And seeing
Leo relaxed and not so measured. Oh, and him telling her she was beautiful. She was still surfing clouds over that compliment.
Those were things she was keeping to herself.
“Meow!” Sir was tapping on her toe for her attention.
Right, she had better things to do than daydream.
Ten minutes to closing time, the café was empty. She was wiping down the tables when the bell rung above the front door. “Welcome
to Pawsitive Vibes,” she said, glancing up. She knew it wasn’t Leo because they had agreed to meet upstairs.
A tall, slender woman with short silver hair in a chic bob walked toward her. Immediately, Sir and Luna padded over to investigate.
She artfully dodged them, peering down at the floor with disdain as her high-heeled boots tapped against the floor.
Via fought to keep her smile in place. People who disliked cats rarely walked into Pawsitive Vibes, and if they did, it was
either with friends or on accident. Thinking it must be the latter, she asked the woman, “Can I help you?”
She came up short a few feet from Via. Looking uncertain, she said, “I think so. Maybe.”
There was something familiar about her, but Via couldn’t place it. She was a stunning woman and dressed impeccably in gorgeous
autumn colors—a terra-cotta overcoat that was likely made of cashmere, a cranberry turtleneck sweater, slim rust-colored corduroys
with folded cuffs, and supple brown leather boots. Her shoulder bag was a lighter shade of brown and had a Chanel logo on
the front. “I really like your outfit,” she said, wanting to put the woman at ease.
She shrugged, as if she’d heard that a million times before.
Via tried a different tactic. “Have you ever been in a cat café before?”
“Is that what this is?” She looked around, her frown deepening.
“Coffee and cats are our specialty. We use locally sourced coffee beans and have a variety of flavors—”
“I’m not here for cats. Or coffee.” Her gaze went to Via again. “Do you know the proprietor of the bookstore next door, Earl Smith?”
Uh-oh. Was she interested in buying the shop? From her outfit and demeanor, she looked like she could afford it. Via also
detected a slight East Coast accent. New York, maybe, but she wasn’t sure. “Um, yes. I did.”
“Did?” She frowned again. “Has he sold the business?”
“No. He . . . passed away.”
“Oh no.” The woman’s hand went to her mouth. Her fingers started to tremble. “When?”
“January.” She couldn’t help but move closer to her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes . . .” She shook her head. “I’m too late.”
“Do you want to sit down?” Via guided her to one of the tables. Squeaks immediately started circling the woman’s ankles and
Via shooed her away. One thing the cat didn’t do was try to escape, so Via let her up front with Sir and Luna since she was
better behaved today. But she wasn’t taking any chances on her scratching this woman’s boots or leaving cat hair on her pants.
“No.”
Via’s heart went out to her. “I’m sorry you had to hear it this way.”
“Did you know him well?” the woman asked, more composed now.
“Yes. We were close.”
“How . . . how did he pass?”
“Heart attack.” Her voice broke a little. “Unexpected.”
“He was so young.”
Seventy-three wasn’t exactly young, not to Via anyway, but she understood what the woman meant. “Do you mind if I ask . . .
I don’t mean to pry . . .”
“You want to know how I know Earl.” She straightened. “He’s my brother.”
Via froze. “You’re Constance?”
Her eyes brightened a bit. “He mentioned me?”
Wincing, Via shook her head. “No.”
A loud noise sounded outside of the café, like a car engine. Via ignored it. That was why she thought this woman was familiar—she
was Earl’s sister. Although she didn’t really see much of Earl in Constance’s facial features. Definitely not in her style.
Then it hit her. Leo’s mom. She had his eyes, or rather he had hers. Round and vibrant green, although Constance had tiny
crow’s-feet at the corners of hers and hers weren’t quite as intense in color. Otherwise her complexion was perfection, as
was her light makeup.
“I’m not surprised he didn’t say anything about me,” Constance said. “We weren’t close. It’s—”
“Complicated?”
The café door opened. Without looking up, Via said, “We’re closed.”
“Via, I—”
Both women turned at the sound of Leo’s voice.