Page 72 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘Definitely, but their loss is my gain,’ he said, filling her glass. ‘So, what do you fancy?’ Tori spluttered her wine and coughed.
‘Sorry… pizza-wise?’
Leo pulled a pizza menu out of the letter rack on the worktop and waved it at her.
‘Oh, yes… of course,’ she said, stumbling over her words. Obviously, he was talking about pizza. She pulled at the neck of her dress. ‘Is it me, or is it hot in here?’
‘It’s you, I think. I can open the window, though, if you like,’ said Leo, reaching for the handle.
‘Thanks, some cool air would be good.’
‘How do you feel about a meat feast?’
‘Erm…’
‘Just tell me you’re not one of those weirdos who likes pineapple on pizza,’ he said seriously, pulling up a stool next to her at the breakfast bar.
‘Oh God no! That’s just wrong,’ she laughed. ‘I mean, fruit… on apizza.’ She shuddered. ‘A meat feast sounds perfect.’
‘I knew you were my kind of girl,’ he said, pulling out his phone to order. Tori raised her eyebrows. ‘When it comes to pizza, I mean,’ he added quickly. Tori laughed; perhaps she wasn’t the only one who felt nervous tonight?
‘Don’t worry, I’m only messing,’ she said. Leo’s shoulders relaxed.
‘I put my foot in it a lot – last week I asked a man if he wanted his mum to ride in the ambulance with him, only to find out it was his wife!’ he said.
‘Oh no, you didn’t?’ she asked, wincing.
‘Oh, I absolutely did!’
Tori laughed, and Leo smiled broadly. ‘Well, I’m glad my embarrassment amuses you.’
‘Oh, it does,’ said Tori. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh, but itisfunny.’
‘That’s not what the six-foot-four, built-like-a-shed biker said. I honestly thought he was going to deck me.’
‘I’m guessing his wife wasn’t too pleased either!’
‘Thankfully, she was pretty calm about it.’
‘Well, at least the ambulance was already on the scene, just in case,’ Tori teased, taking another sip of her wine.
‘Just one of the hazards of the job.’
‘But you love it, don’t you?’
‘My job?’ asked Leo. Tori nodded. ‘Oh yeah, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, ever since I can remember. Mum said one Christmas I wore the firefighter outfit she got me until New Year’s Eve.’
‘Aw, really? I bet you looked cute.’
‘Yep, I went everywhere in that thing… the supermarket, the dentist… you name it. She did draw the line at me wearing it to my sister’s christening, though.’
‘So, you’re the older brother then?’
‘That’s me. I’m four years older than Nina,’ said Leo.
‘Lara’s mum?’
‘That’s right.’
