cont...
Later that evening Leo sends me a picture of them packing their apartment. Ky wasn’t kidding about the state of it, it’s a dump. I can understand why they wanted to move. Hopefully they’ll like living in the apartment above the shop and cafe, it’s definitely an upgrade. Just thinking about Leo living there astounds me. I can’t believe we found each other again. What’re the odds? Possibly pretty good considering we live in the same city. We could have run into each other eventually. Call me selfish, but I'm just grateful it happened before Leo had a chance to meet someone else. We text back and forth some, but they’re busy packing and I’m busy making dinner, so it tapers off after a bit.
While I’m in the kitchen, 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 both stare in astonishment for a moment. Nic suddenly whoops loudly, dashing over to me. He scoops me up into his arms, and spins me around.
“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 affectionately. Nic wraps his arms around us both, squeezing us into another big hug and kissing 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 smile at both me and Nic, but then pull back a little. “But, I think Cie-Cie, your dinner may be burning?” I screech and tear back into the kitchen, cursing the whole way. Nic and Jade both descend into laughter, following me. I most definitely have burnt the dinner.
“Sorry guys, I was just so excited 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 to me for confirmation. I’m nodding too and 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 rolling his eyes at my silliness while typing our pizza order into his phone and Jade snickering behind their hand. That reminds me though, I want to ask Leo his favourite movies. I grab my phone and shoot him another text. The checks light up blue immediately and the little dots bounce. After a second his response comes through.
Oh. My. God. I set my phone on the kitchen counter. My face is flushed and my hands are shaking so much I can barely text. Burying my face in my sleeve covered hands, I let out a muffled shout. He’s flirting with me! I’m flirting with him! I look around for confirmation that this is really happening, only to see that Nic and Jade have both left the kitchen. I hastily clean up the burnt mess that was dinner and go to hunt them down so that I can bother them with incessant obsessing over Leo.
The next day, as usual, I’m up early doing my routine. Yoga, shower, coffee, dressed and out the door by 5:30, bike to work, bake, sneak a pastry for breakfast, open the cafe at 8. At 8:30 I get a text from Leo.
I laugh at Ky’s text and slip my phone back into my pocket. I don’t even have time to get nervous, she wasn’t kidding. In less than five minutes they both walk into the cafe from the porch entrance, pushing and shoving at each other playfully. Leo grabs Ky into a headlock and drags her over to the counter. He grins at me and casually speaks like he doesn’t have his sister in a choke hold.
“Hey Angel, how you doin’? Can I get a coffee off ya? Ky’s gotta apologise for hijacking my text and bein’ rude before she gets anything.” Ky is protesting loudly, squirming and digging her fingers into his side trying to tickle him.
“Fuck off you hairy ape! Lemme go, I ain’t apologisin’! You were makin’ me type cringy shit! Chi don’t wanna read that first thing in the mornin’! 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, levelling the side of his face with a scorching glare. He doesn’t budge and ignores her, turning his attention back to me. She rolls her eyes at him and turns her attention to me too. They’re both crowded up together at the counter looking hopefully at me like a couple of begging pups. The sight of them triggers another round of uncontrollable laughter in me. I’m doubled over, wheezing and snorting, wiping the tears from my eyes.
Once I’m able to breathe again, I ask them, “I take it you both want some coffee?” I gesture at the display case. “Any treats?” They nod excitedly and simultaneously. I start to 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.” Ky pipes up with an answer.
“I know, right? It’s, like, the asscrack of dawn.” 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 completely 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, and they head around the back to unload the boxes from Leo’s truck, hauling them upstairs.
I catch glimpses of them all day and listen 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 lifting 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.
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