Page 88 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“Remind me about the quiz again?” Via said, turning to face him and pretending that, once again, a man she’d fallen in love with wasn’t doing something behind her back. “Leo hasn’t mentioned it in a while, and we’ve been so busy I forgot about it.”

“Oh, of course. Earl not only wanted him to live here thirty days, but also get to know the bookstore and the community. He even had a list of books for Leo to find. The titles were interesting to say the least.” He chuckled.

Shock coursed through her. All this time Leo didn’t even own the bookstore because of stipulations? Stipulations that just happened to line up with how she’d offered to help him?

“In typical Earl fashion, he wanted to make sure it stuck, so he developed a quiz. I haven’t seen it yet. Tomorrow I’ll give it to Leo and the deal will be done. Also—”

“Via!” Sally rushed over to her. “Hi, Bennett, sorry to interrupt. I just had to tell Via how happy I am that Second Chapter is open one last time. Pecan Corner hasn’t felt the same without it. And if Earl can’t be here...” She turned and looked at the bustling shop. “This is the next best thing.” She hugged Via. “Now to give that man of yours a hug too. I wish the bookstore could stay open forever, but Earl knew what he was doing when he left the bookstore to his nephew.”

“Anyway,” Bennett said after Sally left, “as I was saying, tomorrow I’d like for you to meet me—”

“Excuse me.” Via pushed past him to the side door. “I’ve... I’ve got to go.”

“Sure thing. I’ll be in touch...”

But she barely heard him as she rushed to the door, bumping into several people along the way. She ran up the stairs to her apartment. Sir Meow and Squeaks were there, instantly meowing. She thought they would behave themselves better up here than downstairs. “Not now,” she snapped at the cats. They backed away.

Her fists clenched. She felt so stupid. He’d lied to her for a month. Technically a lie of omission, but that was just as bad.She understood him not telling her in the beginning. They didn’t know each other. But after they became friends... after the corn maze... how could he not say anything then? How could he keep a secret that big from her?Like Trevor—he’s just like Trevor.

A knock sounded on the door. “Via?”

Leo. She refused to answer.

“Meowmeowmeowmeowmeow—”

Now the cat was back in love with Leo? “Sir, will you shut up!” she shouted.

That only made him meow harder.

“I saw you run up here after talking to Bennett,” Leo said through the door.

Squeaks was now joining in with Sir, and the chorus of meows was making her head pound.

“Did something happen? Talk to me, Via. Please.”

Leo sagged with relief when Via opened the door. Thankfully, the caterwauling stopped too. He let Sir and Squeaks do their sniffing, rubbing, and weaving around his ankles as he looked at her. He’d never seen her so angry. What in the world had Bennett told her? “Via, what’s wrong?”

“You had stipulations.”

He stilled. “Bennett told you?” What kind of lawyer was this guy, violating client privilege like that?

“Don’t blame him—he thought I already knew. Because I was being so helpful to you.”

“That’s what you’re mad about?” He tried moving closer, but she backed away. “They were nothing—”

“How could you lie to me like that?”

“I didn’t—”

“You made me think you owned Second Chapter and Earl’s apartment.”

His stomach clenched. He hadn’t thought about it that way.

Her eyes filled with tears. “Was everything a lie?”

“No!” He went to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize... I didn’t think you needed to know.”

Her expression turned to ice.