Page 48 of Left on Read
The inside was just like every other café I’d been to, with seating, a coffee bar in the back, and an extensive menu board. Instead of the usual decorations, the café looked like a cat gift shop had exploded inside it. Racks of cat merchandise dotted the space. Cat beds and towers were built into the walls, and a few were tucked between tables or in the corners. I counted three cats snuggled inside some hammocks, and a gray tabby sat next to the cash register like he was ready to take our order.
The place was relatively empty, with only two couples occupying seats close to the windows, and a guy around my age was filling the bakery display. Other than that, it was just us and the cats.
The orange tabby from the door sign sauntered over and stared up at me with big green eyes. “Meow.”
“Hi,” I said stupidly.
The tabby meowed again and rubbed against my leg.
“Hey, buddy.” River knelt and held out his hand. The cat sniffed it curiously, then headbutted it, forcing River to give him head pets. “Awwww.” River chuckled affectionately. “Aren’t you a cutie?” He tilted the silver tag hanging off the cat’s collar up, presumably to see if it had a name on it. “Hi, Orion. Aren’t you just the sweetest.” He resumed petting the cat, who eagerly pressed into his hand. “Who’s a good boy?”
Orion mewled and put his front paws on River’s knees so he could lift up and bump River’s forehead with his.
“That’s right. You’re the goodest boy,” River murmured to the cat.
My chest squeezed at his soft tone and the tender way he was petting Orion.
“Do you know what you want?” He looked up at me. “Or do you need the menu?”
“Just a regular coffee is fine,” I said quickly.
“I didn’t ask what was fine. I asked what you want.” He gave Orion one more good head scratch and stood. Orion immediately wrapped himself around River’s leg, meowing loudly in protest.
“I think you made a new friend.”
He smiled down at the cat. “Looks like.” He lifted his eyes to meet mine. “So, what do you want to drink?”
“I’ll get them.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” I wiggled the bag with my books. “What do you want?”
“Maybe a chai latte?” He scanned the menu board.
“Sounds good. How about you find a seat, and I’ll get the drinks.”
He held out his hand for the bag. I gave it to him, cursing silently as our fingers brushed and tingles exploded on my skin.
River didn’t seem to notice and made a beeline for a corner booth with padded bench seats, Orion on his heels.
Still in a daze, I made my way to the counter to place our orders.
The guy who’d been filling the display came to stand behind the register, a big smile on his face.
I glanced at River. Orion was currently cradled in his arms, his paws on River’s chest, staring up at him adoringly as River cuddled him.
Seeing a guy as big and strong as him not be afraid to show his softer side while snuggling a cat made butterflies explode in my stomach. I’d always believed that kids and animals could sense goodness in people, and River just radiated kindness.
Turning back to the barista, I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and placed our orders.
This was the best afternoon I’d had in years, but instead of letting me enjoy it, my brain just kept spinning with all the reasons it wouldn’t last or why I was a terrible person for letting the entire afternoon be about me.
9
RIVER
“Is everything okay?” I asked Hayden.