A waitress appeared, ready to take their orders.
‘I’m going to play tourist and have an Aperol Spritz,’ said Leo. ‘Pretend it’s a gorgeous sunny day.’
‘I’m sticking with beer,’ said Jan with a shudder, giving Leo a reproving shake of his head.
Leo simply shrugged. ‘I like an Aperol now and then. It’s my Italian blood.’
Anna who had planned to go for wine, decided that actually it would be fun to try a cocktail and opted for a Kir Royale. Michaela, to Jan’s disgust, followed suit.
When the drinks arrived, they lifted their glasses. ‘Na zdraví,’ said Jan.
‘To us,’ said Leo and leaned over to give Anna a kiss full on the mouth.
Michaela clapped her hands together. ‘I knew it,’ she crowed and lifted her glass. ‘I told you, Jan. You owe me three-hundredkoruna.’
‘You said it would happen at thechata.’
‘No, I only said it might, but I knew it would definitely happen some time.’
He shook his head.
Anna and Leo linked hands and laughed at the pair of them.
‘Sorry, mate,’ said Leo. ‘You have to accept it, she’s right. Women are always right.’
‘You know she gave you an air bed with a hole in it,’ said Jan, smirking at Michaela, who straightened and waved her hand as if to brush her misdemeanour aside.
‘I … I…’ She blushed bright red. ‘I said it might.’
‘It did,’ said Anna dryly. ‘I mended it the second night with a few plasters and some duct tape.’
Michaela tried to keep her mouth still but it crumpled in amusement. ‘But you are together now?’
‘Yes,’ said Leo, putting his arm across, Anna’s shoulder. ‘We are.’
A happy glow, as bright as the patio heater above them, lit up in her heart.
* * *
The next morning, Anna lay next to Leo, propped up on her side, watching him with a gentle smile on her face. A week in, and she still loved watching him. In sleep he was the essence of himself, lying on his back, one arm thrown above his head, his blond curls spread like a halo on the white pillow, totally at ease and comfortable in his skin. Anna had always envied him his happy-go-lucky confidence and that blithe assurance of knowing where he fitted in the world, but now she felt she knew herself. Oval-shaped Anna had emerged since she’d come to Prague, and boy, did it feel good.
Leo’s eyelids flickered, the sandy lashes fluttering, centipedes against his skin. A deep breath, a snuffle and then his eyes opened. He woke, she thought, with a soft sleepy glow that ignited … and then he was dancing, limbs twitching, and straight into action, sweeping her into his arms the minute he spotted her. Immediate delight spread across his face, as if she was the best sight in the world. So very Leo.
‘Morning, gorgeous!’ He beamed at her and gave her a kiss on the mouth, pulling her on top of him.
‘Morning,’ she said with the self-same involuntary smile she found herself giving whenever he was around.
‘Shower?’
‘Mmm,’ she groaned. Mr Sunshine to her Miss Slow-To-Get-Started in the mornings. He threw back the covers and bounced out of bed like Tigger’s soulmate. ‘I need coffee.’
She couldn’t help giggle at his unabashed stretch, everything on display, his arms reaching upwards and his chest expanding as he stood in the cold light of the Velux window. Rain spattered in windy gusts on the glass, reminding her that winter seemed to have slid its way in without either of them really noticing.
‘God, it’s hideous out there.’ He glanced up at the skylight. ‘A day for staying in bed, except…’ He paused and took her hand. ‘There’s something I want to show you. This afternoon.’
Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘Haven’t I seen everything already?’ she teased.
‘I need to be somewhere at two. I want you to come with me.’
