“Go ahead.”
“You are a not just the Italian geezer who makes cappuccinos. You are a kind-hearted, successful business owner who makes every single person who walks through these doors feel welcome. You’re the best boss I’ve ever had. And you look after the people you care about, like your sweet mamma and even that waste of space cousin of yours.”
“She who shall not be named,” Radia adds in a flat tone.
“Indeed.” Chloe nods. “You’re funny and easy to talk to and generous with your time and energy. And I’ve already told you this but when I first met you I thought you were very cute. Sexy, even.”
“Steady on,” Radia says but when I look over at her, she gives me a quick wink.
“My point is, Giles would be lucky to have you. You are more than worthy.”
“But…” I say but I don’t have anything else to add.
“I know from the look of Giles, you think aesthetics is all Giles cares about,” Radia says. “But he really doesn’t. I sometimes think his appearance is a cover for something, although I haven’t quite discovered what exactly.”
My ribcage expands again but this time it’s not hope, exactly, more the warmth of my knowing Giles a little better than Radia. That he’s trusted me with a side of him that he’s kept hidden from so many others.
“So you mustn’t get all hung up on that,” she continues. “Giles will care much more about what’s going on inside you than what you look like or what job you do.”
“Yeah, the thing is.” I laugh awkwardly. “My insides are a bit of a mess too.” I suck in a breath. “I have ADHD.”
“I know,” Chloe says with a shrug.
“Yeah, I also thought as much,” Radia says.
“You both knew?”
“It’s really not a big deal. My brother-in-law has it,” Chloe says.
“Brother-in-law who is also her ex-boyfriend,” Radia clarifies.
“Er, what?”
“A story for another day.” Chloe waves dismissively.
“And my sister is autistic with some overlapping traits of ADHD.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I envy your ADHD. It’s why you’re good at your job. You don’t get annoyed or overwhelmed when it gets busy. You just crack on with it,”Chloe explains. “Meanwhile I feel like I could explode with the stress during some lunchtime rushes.”
I’m momentarily speechless as this compliment sinks in. Maybe, I’m not the mess I think I am. Maybe, what Radia said about Giles looking at a person’s character really is more important to him.
No, there’s no maybe about it. Of course that’s what Giles looks for. What matters to him. That’s the Giles I know. That’s the Giles I…
Love.
Oh,cazzo di merda. I really fucking love Giles.
“I need to talk to him,” I say.
“You do.” Chloe holds out her hand and gestures to me. “Give me your apron and keys. I’ll lock up.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t go now while he’s on a date. I’ll speak to him…” I mentally try and recall my schedule this week. “Shit, Friday, at the gym.”
“No, no way.” Chloe shakes her head. “You’re going to speak to him before then.”
“But not now,” I clarify, although there’s a hint of a question in the way my voice goes up at the end, searching for reassurance.
