Page 97 of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe
‘We try to,’ he nodded, his lips tightening. ‘Listen, do you mind if we change the subject? I’d rather forget about work for tonight.’
‘Oh, sorry, yes of course,’ she said quickly. I didn’t mean to—’
‘Don’t be sorry,’ he said. ‘I like that you want to know more about what I do, but let’s focus on us, shall we?’
‘Well, I’d say tonight’s gone well, wouldn’t you?’ she asked, her voice cracking a little. ‘Good wine, good food… excellent company.’
‘I always knew it would, if I could get you to agree to come on a date with me,’ he laughed, his eyes shining brightly in the candlelight from the lantern.
‘What can I say? You wore me down!’ she laughed.
‘Hey!’ Leo replied, pulling a face.
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ she said, leaning forwards and pecking him on the cheek.
‘Can I be totally honest with you?’ he said, looking serious.Tori nodded. ‘I don’t want to play games, so I want to put all my cards on the table.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I really like you and I think we’ve got a shot at having something great together. I’ve not got the best dating history, but I’ve never felt like this before.’
Tori paused, unsure how to respond. She wasn’t expecting such a declaration from Leo; it flummoxed her a bit.
‘I, I…’
‘Look, I know you’ve just come out of a relationship, and I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but I wanted to let you know how I’m feeling. If you want to give this a go, I’m all in. I don’t want you to have any doubt about where my heart is…’
‘I appreciate the honesty,’ she said, tilting her head to one side. ‘I think we’ve got great chemistry. I just don’t want to rush things, that’s all. I’ve only been home a few weeks and, I guess, I’m still figuring things out. So much has happened since I’ve been back. How about we start by having a second date and seeing where things go?’
‘I can live with that,’ he said, smiling. ‘Ifyouplan it, that is. Although I’m not sure you’ll be able to top this place,’ he said, holding up his hands.
‘Ooh, is that a challenge?’ He nodded at her. ‘Now I really will have to get my thinking cap on.’
As they walked back to the taxi rank hand in hand, Tori felt truly content. Leo’s cards on the table speech had gone a long way to quashing any doubts she had about getting involvedagain so soon after Ryan. Not many men were brave enough to say what they were really feeling. It was refreshing. It was surprising. It washot. She stopped, pulling Leo towards her, and kissing him hard. The temptation to go back to his place tonight was overwhelming and the touch of his lips against hers was electric.
‘See, I told you we had great chemistry,’ she said breathlessly. He ran his index finger down the side of her neck and her whole body shivered.
‘I agree,’ he said huskily. ‘I’m so glad you came back to Blossom Heath, Tori.’
‘Me too. Shall we go and find this cab then?’ she laughed.
Tori and Leo spent the taxi ride home hand in hand. As they pulled up outside Leo’s front door, they found they didn’t want to let go, much to the annoyance of the driver, who tutted noisily and turned up the radio.
‘Sorry,’ said Leo sheepishly, ‘I can’t resist one more kiss.’
‘Me neither,’ Tori giggled.
‘I won’t invite you in, not because I don’t want to,’ he added quickly, ‘but because, well, you know…’
‘Thanks, I appreciate that. I’ll call you tomorrow?’
‘Only if I don’t call you first,’ he said, as he hopped out of the cab. Tori watched him walk up the path and let out a long, deep sigh of contentment. She felt happy, properly happy, which had seemed like a complete impossibility only a few weeks ago.
‘Where to next, love?’ the cab driver asked.
‘Oh, sorry. The Cosy Cat Café, please.’
‘Right you are.’
The short ride back to the café was over in minutes and, as she picked up her bag and exited the car, Tori thought she could see a figure in the doorway.
‘Hello?’ she asked, squinting in an attempt to see more clearly. ‘Is there someone there?’ The figure stepped out of the shadows towards her.
