He moved to the condiment station. Lilatriednot to watch him, but she couldn’t help herself.How could someone that handsome, smart, and kind still be single?
“Cuts a nice figure, doesn’t he?” Cyrus murmured beside her.
She blinked and turned to help the next customer. By the time she looked back, TJ had taken a seat at one of the tables, and the cats had followed. Muffin jumped straight into his lap and kneaded at his jeans.
“Ow,” he muttered as her claws dug in.
Lila laughed. “You can push her off, you know.”
“I know. But she likes getting comfortable and she keeps me warm.”
“Is it cold in here?” she asked, glancing around.
“It’s fine,” TJ called from his table. “Right, Cyrus?”
“Feels fine to me,” Cyrus said, chuckling. “Would you like a muffin or croissant to go with your coffee, TJ?”
“No thanks, I’m good.” He raised his cup in salute.
Cyrus waved back, still smiling. “Wonderful day, isn’t it?”
Lila eyed him suspiciously.Why was he in such a good mood?”Cyrus?” she called, following him down the hall.
He turned. “Yes, Lila?”
“What are the others doing today? I noticed only you and Polly came in.”
“Oh, about that. I forgot to mention. They’re looking at that house on West C Street.”
“So you really are thinking of living here?”
“Is that bad?”
“No, not at all! I just thought you’d all want to be near your families.”
Cyrus gave a nervous laugh. “Well, none of us were blessed with children. But we have each other. We’re hoping to find a nice old four-bedroom place to fix up and call home. That way there will always be someone around when the others are off gallivanting.”
It made sense, and it tugged at Lila’s heart. “That’s wonderful, Cyrus. I hope you find something you like and you can afford.”
“We’ll manage,” he said. “If we all pitch in, we’ll be fine.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said again, and meant it.
Back in the dining area, TJ sat with Muffin curled in his lap, Espresso snoozing at his feet, and Pudding perched on the cat tree by the window. Customers drifted in, the espresso machine hissed, and the morning flowed easily.
After a while, she noticed TJ had an iPad. She wandered over. “What are you working on?”
“Just a little something for the research institute. I’m trying to get them to extend my contract.”
“I see. And if they don’t?”
“I’ve got a few other things in the works. New Zealand, Australia…”
Her heart sank. “Not back to Oregon?”
He shook his head. “No. Moving from Cornwall’s enough of a chore as it is. Besides, if I did come back to the States, it might be somewhere like Florida.”
“Don’t you want to come back one day?” she asked.
