cont...

Later that evening, Leo sends me a picture of them packing their old place. Ky wasn’t kidding about the state of it. It’s a dump. Now I understand why they wanted to move. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy living in the apartment. It’s certainly an upgrade. We text back and forth some, but they’re busy packing and I’m busy making dinner, so it tapers off.

The idea of Leo being at the cafe fills me with a delightful warmth. A smile spreads across my face as I remember our reunion. I’m lucky we found each other again so soon. We had to run into each other eventually, considering we live in the same city, but I’m secretly, selfishly grateful he found me before he forgot about me and moved on with his life.

While I’m cooking, Jade and Nic arrive home, bursting through the front door mid conversation. I sprint out to them, my knee socks sliding on the wood floor as I skid around the corner and into the living room. They both startle and turn to me, wide eyed. 

There’s a massive grin adhered to my face and I blurt out in a rush, “He found me! Leo was at the cafe today!”

I squeal with excitement, jumping from foot to foot, and bring my sweater paw hands up to my cheeks to cover the blush. They’re both stunned for a second. Then Nic lets out a loud whoop and dashes over, scooping me up and spinning me in his arms.

“That’s awesome Sweetness! I’m so happy for you!”

He smacks a celebratory kiss onto my lips. Jade swiftly joins us, pulling me from his grasp and hugging me tightly. They pet the back of my head, keeping their hand there as they lean back to look at me, a wide smile on their face. 

“Cie-Cie! I’m delighted! It must be fate if you found each other again so soon.” Their smile turns into a smirk as they poke my ribs, saying, “Now maybe no more sad songs? Hmm?”

They pull me in for another snuggle and kiss my forehead. Nic wraps his arms around us both, squeezing us into another big hug and kisses the tops of both of our heads. I relax into their embraces, breathing in their combined scents. Warmth spreads throughout my chest as I soak up their love and support. 

Jade sighs with contentment and says, “My loves. My heart sings when I’m wrapped up with you both and everyone is happy.” They pull back a little and smile at both me and Nic. “But, I think Cie-Cie, your dinner might be burning?”

I screech and tear back into the kitchen, cursing the entire way. Nic and Jade both descend into laughter as they follow me. I’ve definitely burnt the dinner. 

“Sorry guys, I was just so eager to tell you. I forgot what I was doing.” I stick out my lip, pouting. Still chuckling, Nic waves his phone at me. 

“No worries. We’ll order pizza instead, and you can tell us all about what happened today. Maybe watch a movie too?” Jade nods in agreement, and they both look at me for confirmation. I nod, bouncing on the balls of my feet. 

“Yes, definitely, on two conditions.” They both send me questioning looks. “One, I want to gush about Leo for at least until the pizza comes, probably while we eat, too. And two, I want to be in the middle for cuddles during the movie, cause that’s the best spot.”

They both shake their heads at me. Nic rolls his eyes at my silliness while typing our pizza order into his phone and Jade hides their laugh behind their hand.

Our conversation sparks a question for Leo. I grab my phone and send him a text. The checks light up blue and the little dots bounce. After a second, his response comes through. 

Oh. My. God. I set my phone on the kitchen counter, burying my face in my sleeve covered hands, and let out a muffled scream. He’s flirting with me! I’m flirting with him! My hands are shaking so much I could barely text and the blush igniting my cheeks is probably visible from space. I look around for confirmation that this is actually happening, only to see that Nic and Jade have both left the kitchen. I leave the burnt mess that was dinner for later and go hunt them down. For the rest of the night, I intend to bother them with incessant obsessing over Leo, as promised.

The next day is usual routine. Yoga, shower, coffee, clothes, out the door by five-thirty, bike to work, bake, sneak a pastry for breakfast, open the cafe at eight. At 8:30, I get a text from Leo. 

I laugh at Ky’s text and slip my phone back into my pocket. She wasn’t kidding. I don’t even have time to get nervous. Less than five minutes later, they both walk into the cafe from the porch entrance, playfully pushing and shoving at each other. Leo grabs Ky into a headlock and drags her over to the counter. He grins at me and casually speaks as if he doesn’t have his sister in a choke hold. 

“Hey Angel, how you doin’? Can I get a coffee? Ky’s gotta apologise for hijacking my text and bein’ rude before she gets anything.”

Ky is protesting, squirming, and trying to tickle him by digging her fingers into his side. 

“Fuck off. Lemme go, I ain’t sayin’ sorry, you hairy ape. You were makin’ me type cringy shit, and Chi don’t wanna read that first thing in the morning! I was saving him. He’s grateful!”

Ky waves her hands in my direction, pointing out that I’m laughing at their antics. Leo releases her with a scoff, allowing her to stand. She shoves him. He doesn’t budge, so she levels the side of his face with a scorching glare. He ignores her and turns his attention back to me. She rolls her eyes at him and turns her attention to me, too. They’re crowded up together at the counter, looking at me like a couple of begging pups. The sight triggers another round of uncontrollable laughter. I snort, which makes me double over with wheezing laughter.

Once I’m able to breathe again, I wipe the tears from my eyes and ask them, “I take it you both want some coffee? Any treats?” They nod excitedly and simultaneously. I giggle again, but turn away before it gets too bad. “Ky, what kind of drink do you want? I know you want a black coffee, Leo. What’re you guys doing here so early on a Saturday? I’d totally still be asleep if I didn’t have to work.”

“I know, right? It’s the asscrack of dawn.” Ky answers. She rolls her eyes and sticks her thumb out towards Leo. “This guy wanted to get an early start movin’ in. He wants to be done by Monday.” Smirking, she brings her hand up to her mouth, shielding it on Leo’s side, and stage whispers. “Really, he just couldn’t wait to see you!” I almost drop the cup I’m holding and Leo frowns at her, elbowing her in the ribs. 

“Hush ya traitor.” Then he glances over at me with a shy smile. 

“Don’t worry, I wanted to see you too.” I grant him a reassuring smile. “But Ky can’t hush. I still need to know what she wants to drink.”

Ky sticks her tongue out at Leo, then orders a mocha. I pour their coffees into takeaway cups. They snag them, thanking me as they leave to head around the back to unload the boxes from Leo’s truck.

I catch glimpses of them throughout the day and eavesdrop while they chat with regulars and my mom between running boxes and manoeuvring furniture up the stairs. I sneak peeks at Leo’s well-formed biceps as he lifts heavy objects, and might have snuck through the kitchen once or twice to drool over his ass climbing the stairs in his tight jeans. 

Sunday morning I get another text from Leo, bright and early, while I’m in the middle of yoga.

I giggle at my phone and bite my lip, then put it down to finish my sun salutations. It buzzes a couple more times, but I ignore it. After my shower, while I’m sitting at the table eating breakfast, I check the messages Leo sent.