Page 12 of Read Between The Lines

‘That’s seriously tempting. Shame I don’t have a basement,’ said Doris. ‘Now are you sure you’re alright, pet? We could do with one of my romance heroes avenging you.’

‘Sadly, there’s a shortage of those types around here.’

‘Sometimes heroes are lurking where you least expect them to be,’ she replied, laying a soft hand on mine.

It took me quite a while to convince her that I was going to be okay, but I was touched by how much she cared. Once she was safely on her way, my gaze automatically drifted back to the business section, which was now empty.

‘Great, now what?’ I muttered irritably under my breath. Leo could have just said no to the coffee rather than taking advantage of my distraction to do a runner. He hadn’t seemed the type. But then again, I’d thought that Brian James was perfection. Clearly, I needed to work on my ability to read between the lines.

I marched across to reshelve the weighty tomes on business analysis which Leo had naturally left all over the place, then noticed the piece of paper on the table.

‘Had to make a couple of calls. See you in G&D’s at half four.’

All was not lost.

ChapterFive

Imanaged to get to the café at twenty-five past four having locked up the library in record-quick time, thanks to Etta’s help, but Leo was already there waiting for me at a table in the corner, two steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of him.

‘I know you suggested coffee, but it’s the weekend, and I thought a treat to accompany the ice creams might be a good idea, and it always takes a while for the hot chocolate to get to a more drinkable temperature.’

‘As you bought the drinks, I’m definitely getting the ice creams,’ I said, determined to claw back some sense of control. ‘My invitation, my shout. What flavour would you like?’

‘I took the liberty of checking out the selection before you arrived and I’ve decided I’d like to go for ’Twas Mint To Be– the mint chocolate chip,’ he clarified. ‘It’ll be a nice contrast to the drink. Sweet, but with a bite to it.’

‘Like me, you mean?’ I said with a smile, getting in there first before he delivered the obvious jibe.

‘I don’t think I’m really in a position to make that judgement yet,’ he replied dryly.

‘I’d better get in the queue,’ I said, deciding it was best to remove myself from the situation before I said anything else stupid.

I hesitated before selecting the same flavour of ice cream for myself, not wanting Leo to think I was copying him, but he was right, it would be the perfect accompaniment to the hot chocolate.

‘Delicious,’ I said after my first spoonful. ‘Did you see the petition book they’ve got for new flavours? There are all sorts of outlandish suggestions in there, like curry flavour, but I bet they’d find a way of making it work.’

I knew I was talking nonsense, but I needed to fill the silence and, coward that I was, I was trying to delay the moment when I’d have to make my suggestion out loud and have my companion point out how ridiculous it was.

‘Undoubtedly,’ said Leo. He took a sip of his hot chocolate, then sat back and folded his arms, watching me expectantly. ‘Delightful as it is to discuss the pros and cons of various flavours of ice cream, was that really the reason you invited me to join you?’

‘I was only trying to make polite conversation,’ I retorted, bristling. ‘You should try it some time.’

He pursed his lips. ‘Don’t you think it’s somewhat hypocritical for you to be calling me rude? You may have lured me here with the prospect of ice cream, but that doesn’t mean I have to stick around. I’m sure the staff could transfer it into a tub to go.’

‘Sorry, please don’t leave,’ I blurted out. ‘I’m nervous because I want to ask you something, you see, and it’s making me act weird, I know. I’m sorry,’ I repeated.

Again, his lips quirked in what might have been a smile. ‘And what is the cause of this nervousness? I’m disappointed if it’s me. That’s not an effect I like to have on women.’

‘I’m sure you’re used to them all rolling over immediately, like kittens wanting to be stroked,’ I said then wished the words back. Where had that come from? I forced my gaze away from his hands and affected sudden fascination with the menu board behind his head, mortified that my attempt at banter had manifested in such an unintended and unfortunately flirtatious statement.

Thankfully, despite the provocation, he was reasonably restrained in his response. ‘But this Kat has claws.’

‘Apparently so,’ I said. ‘Okay, okay, let’s start again.’

‘This is what, the third time we’re starting again?’

‘If you say so. You’ve obviously been counting.’

‘It amuses me,’ he said, picking up a teaspoon and stirring his hot chocolate thoughtfully. ‘So, you’re nervous about asking me something. Perhaps it would be easier all round if you just came out with whatever is on your mind?’

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