Page 94 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

Via stared at the journal before slowly opening it. Soon she was devouring it all, smiling at some entries, tearing up at others, especially when Earl mentioned his estranged family. Oh, Earl...

When she got to the last page, she read his last entry, and the tears fell in earnest. She wiped them away and started to close the cover. She needed to start preparing everything for tomorrow’s new arrivals, but she would come back to the journal later tonight and reread it.

Then she noticed the corner of a white piece of paper stickingout from the inside back cover. The red backing had come apart, forming a pocket at the bottom. She wondered if Constance had noticed.

Via pulled out the paper and opened it. The picture of her and Leo in the Pumpkinheads fell out. Unfamiliar handwriting was on the page.

October 30, 2025

Dear Uncle Earl,

I’m not sure why I’m writing this. It’s not like you’re going to see it. But after reading your journal, I feel like I’ve spent actual time with you. I’ve gotten to know you, not just through your writing, but through the legacy you left me. I know you love books. Duh. I know you love the Phillies, and maybe next season I’ll figure out why they were always your team. You have great taste in casual clothes. It’s been an honor to raid your closet. I know you missed out on family. I did too. Most of all, I realized that you and I are a lot alike. Except for the clutter. I can’t stand clutter.

We’re loners, by circumstances and by choice. We’re both lonely, although we fight not to admit it. Then a wonderful, amazing woman came into our lives, just when we needed her. You loved her like a daughter. I love her with my life. She doesn’t know that yet, and I don’t want to scare her. But I’ll tell her someday. I’m going to surprise her earlier than that, though. As soon as I earn the inheritance you so generously left to me, I’m going to sign Second Chapter over to her. I’ll keep the apartment, though. I’ve grown fond of it now that it’s cleaned up.

I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you, and to say it like I would if you were here. I wish I’d met you in person. I wish my mother hadn’t been so selfish. I wish for many things that can’t be changed or undone. What I can do is honor your last wish that you didn’t get a chance to fulfill. You picked the right person to care for your legacy—Octavia Dalton.

Leo

She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. This was written before their argument. Before she hid the offer from him and betrayed him.

He loved her. Enough to give up his inheritance.

No, he wasn’t going to give it up because of her. He was doing what Earl wanted. Just like Constance did.

She stared at their picture. Her dorky expression, his sublime one. It was a little creased, as if he’d looked at it a few times. She pressed it against her heart. She couldn’t change or undo certain things, especially between them. But she could do the right thing.

Chapter 25

Los Angeles, California

Leo sat on his back patio, the evening sun already behind the horizon, the expensive landscaping lights coming to life and casting the crystal-clear pool in a soft glow. He could go for a swim right now, even though the temperature was in the low seventies outside. Because, of course, hedge fund manager Leonardo Brewster had a heated pool.

Instead he yanked at his tie and stared at the water, his high-end suit jacket unbuttoned. Not the one he wore in Pecan Corner, but one from his extensive closet, where there wasn’t a single rock concert T-shirt or sports jersey. He was back at work—had been since he’d left Pecan Corner. He landed the Arcadia account with ease, and just as easily slipped back into his usual routine—working too many hours and spending the rest of the time alone.

A soft, warm breeze fluttered the palm trees on his property. The lights of LA were in the distance. The faint scent of ocean salt hung in the air. This was where he belonged. Not in cramped Pecan Corner. Not running an old bookshop. Not in love with—

He stood and whipped off his jacket and headed back into the house, leaving the patio door open. He refused to think about her. To feel anything for her. The living area was huge and open and decorated in all white and gray with black accents. No color. No life. But it was what he’d always wanted. What he’d worked so hard to attain. Life was back to normal, as if the last month had never happened. Except for one change. He had scheduled LASIK surgery for next week. He was done wearing glasses.

Deciding to go for a swim after all, he headed to his spacious bedroom, shucked off all his clothes, and yanked on his swim trunks. Grabbing a towel from the closet, he walked back to the pool and was just about to jump in when the doorbell rang.

He paused. He wasn’t expecting anyone. The last thing he wanted to do was entertain. But after the third ring he decided to answer it. Maybe someone was lost. He stopped in front of the doorway and looked at the door camera. No one was there. Odd.

Leo returned to the pool area and jumped at the sight of someone standing there.

“Sorry!” she said.

He froze. Via. Despite everything he tried to do to stop it, an electric shiver raced down his spine.

“Hi.” Her voice was small, and she was overdressed for LA winter in her polka-dotted coat and teal and pink beanie. Like she had come straight from the airport. She looked incredible.

He fought for control, to stop the wave of emotions threatening to drown him. Attraction. Longing.Betrayal.“You’ve got five minutes,” he said.

“Leo, I...” She drew in a deep breath. “Constance came by the café yesterday.”

His jaw clenched. Now that she was the new owner of Second Chapter, he shouldn’t be surprised. She’d want to investigate theproperty herself, to make sure she squeezed out every dime that she could.

Via opened her bag and pulled out a leather-bound book. “She brought me this.”