Page 10 of Time To Live Again

“No need to apologize. You’re working. I’m the one who should—I’m keeping you from your job.”

“No, you aren’t. My work’s here in this café right now. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it.” He combs his fingers through his wavy hair and turns toward the counter. I wonder if it feels as soft as it looks. “Now, didn’t we come here to get something to eat?”

I give a subtle nod with my hands clasped in front of me.

“Then let’s do it,” he says. “This afternoon calls for an extra shot of espresso in my cappuccino.”

A glass case at the end of the counter catches my eye. It’s filled with artistically decorated cakes, tarts, éclairs, and a large assortment of macarons.Yum. I forgot about those. Why can’t my stomach be big enough to sample everything?

Leo greets someone behind the counter. Does heliketo socialize this much? Doesn’t his mouth get dry? Apparently, the girl’s name is Laureen, and her flirty giggles irk me somehow.Jealous, Olive?I ignore myself. Refusing to check what she looks like, I continue drooling over the confections on display.

Seconds later, Leo comes back to me. He’s close enough that his body heat seeps into mine, warming me up. It’s been a while since I’ve been this close to a man. A light cloud of his enticing cologne catches my attention. It exudes a unique softness and warmth with a dab of spice. His shoulder grazes mine, inducing an unexpected, heavenly spark. We split apart, chuckling.

“Sorry. I’ve been full of static today. My hair alone could provide enough electricity to run this place.”

“Don’t I know it?” he comments, pointing at his own wild hair. “So, what do you think? Find something you want to try?”

“Everything looks tempting,” I say, then turn around to admire the room. “I love it here.”

Leo’s face beams once again, and he nods. “Thanks. It took a lot of convincing and planning. I’ve spent more time than I can count in cafés like this during my travels, and I thought it’d be a great addition for the hotel.”Hmm. During his travels. Business or pleasure?“My brother took the lead, and the rest followed.”

“The one who grunted in the hallway?”

“You heard that, huh?”

“I wasn’t sure. But your reaction gave it away.”

“Yep, it’s him. An old friend of his owns a construction company, and he agreed to build it since everything was shut down during the beginning of the pandemic. You know what it was like then.”

“Oh, I remember.” Too well. It shattered my life. It’s what made me abandon Los Angeles and move back home. I shiver and lock the memories of death back into their little box to make them disappear.

“This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the view. All the natural light through the glass roof and the windows…” Leo peers outside for a moment. “You can’t really appreciate it now, but wait till tomorrow. I think the weather’s supposed to be better. You’ll see. There’s an outdoor terrace too, for the warmer months.”

“Hey, Leo! Are you here for your daily sugar intake? It’s late for you.” Someone with a smooth French accent approaches us from behind. It fits perfectly with the atmosphere. Leo and I turn to face a stylishly dressed, handsome silver fox whose black button-down shirt is dusted with flour. He does a double take when he sees Leo, then guffaws, holding his stomach. “What the hell is on your lip?”

Leo side-eyes me as he smooths the mustache, then looks at the goofy man.

“Well, I didn’t miss that snarky attitude of yours while you were away in France, Louis. Your accent got worse, I can hardly understand you.” With a wide grin, he gives the man a bear hug. “Good to see you, old man. Welcome back. Happy New Year.”

The man squeezes him and lifts him off the ground. Their greeting is almost like a father and son. It’s sweet to witness. It makes me miss my dad more because he gave me the biggest and tightest hugs—sometimes I could hardly breathe. But those good times are out of reach and long gone.

“Please tell me that caterpillar is fake. It’s so not you!” he laughs again, and I join in.

Leo strokes it and huffs. “Come on, it’s not that bad.” He turns to me and his gaze lingers, searching my face. “Is it?”

I raise my hands in mock surrender and utter, “I plead the fifth.”

Leo braces his hands on his hips. “Seriously?”

Damn.Now I feel bad. “Sorry. I’m not a fan of facial hair.”

“Listen to her. She knows what she’s talking about,” the silver fox says, then winks at me.

I’m getting a kick out of this show. I left my boring life behind to get out of my funk, and now I’m talking about mustaches, of all things. My face hurts from smiling so much.

Leo crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, I’m not a fan either. I actually hate it. I cringe every time I look in a mirror. I lost a bet to Tonya and Sully. A stupid challenge I found on TikTok. I’m not getting into it right now. It’s too embarrassing because I really thought I’d win. But—when the clock strikes twelve tonight, it’s coming off. A little scruff is okay, but full beards or mustaches...no thanks.”

Phew. Only temporary. I can’t wait to see his face without it. Then again, Leo with a five o’clock shadow emphasizing his perfect jawline would probably make me combust.Stop fantasizing!I scratch my neck and discreetly clear my throat. Unfortunately it grabs the older man’s attention anyway.

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