Page 55 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

Leo thought for a minute. “Nothing, I guess. You said you didn’t want a relationship. Has that changed?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Same here. And I don’t do one-night stands.”

She looked relieved. “Me neither.”

He sat back on the couch. “I gotta say, this was the last thing I expected when I arrived in Pecan Corner.”

“This is the last thing I expected when you got out of your car.” She set the pack on the floor and turned to face him. “We didn’t exactly hit it off.”

He drummed his fingers on the back of Earl’s worn couch. “Well, you did hit me,” he reminded her with a wink.

“You were trespassing,” she teased.

“Thanks for not calling the cops.” He faced her. “Let’s look at this logically.” At her eager nod, he continued. “We’re attracted to each other.”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured.

Oof. This might be harder than he thought. But he was serious about not getting involved, despite wanting to find out if her lips tasted as sweet as he thought they did. “Attraction is just chemicals,” he said, getting back on track. “Particularly in the beginning. It takes time for that to develop into anything else.”

“Right,” she said, leaning forward slightly. “Lots and lots of time.”

“Which we don’t have.”

Her face fell a little. “Because you have to get back to LA.”

“Precisely. And since we both have our own personal boundaries, there’s no point in acting on anything.” Being so analytical about this was having the desired effect. His urge to kiss her was fading, fast. It also helped that she had scooted away from him a little bit.

“You know what would help?” she said with a grin. “Putting a bag over your head. You’re way too good-looking.”

He burst out laughing. “I can put on my glasses. That’ll kill the chemicals right there.”

“Do not do that.” At his confused expression, she said, “You really don’t know how good you look in them?”

“Those coke bottles?”

“Don’t tell me no one’s said that to you before.”

Sir got up and jumped in his lap. “Make yourself at home, buddy,” he muttered. “I wear contacts as much as possible.”

“A pity.”

He chuckled again. She was cute. “Let’s see, what can we do to diminish your beauty?” he said in a playful tone.

“That won’t be hard. I’m not that beautiful.” Before he could protest, she said, “I’m not fishing for compliments either.”

“So you’re going to deny me the chance to give you one?”

“Just a small one,” she said softly.

He pretended to think about it.

“Wow, if it’s that hard don’t bother—”

“You’re smart.” He’d been prepared to name one of her many splendid physical characteristics. But that’s what came out, and it was the truth. “You’re incredibly smart.”

“Oh. Well, thank you for noticing—”