Hannah laughed. ‘I’d love to say them all but I think that might be pushing it. Just one for now, and a coffee too, thanks. Black, no milk or sugar.’ Since this didn’t seem to be the kind of place that offered macchiatos, lattes and such. Which suited her perfectly, since too much choice made her head spin.
‘Sure, let me ring you up and pickup’s just this end,’ Frank said, indicating further down where some other patrons stood, drinking coffee or waiting on their orders.
There were a couple of tiny tables and an empty pair of stools lined up at a full-length window just inside the door, and Hannah thought how nice it would be to sit there for a bit and watch the world go by outside. She made a mental note to do just that at the weekend maybe. Frank’s seemed like one of those charming old-style people-watching spots that had been around forever. And she was pretty certain that, given the opportunity, the man himself would have a story or two to tell.
‘That’ll be six dollars and ten,’ he said and Hannah duly lifted her wrist to tap with her watch.
But Frank shook his head. ‘Sorry, cash only here,’ he apologized, pointing to a nearby sign on the wall that she’d failed to register.
The downside of old-world charm.
‘Oh! Sorry, I didn’t think to bring any with me. You don’t do card payments, even?’ she blustered, reaching into her purse on the off-chance there might be a couple of bills in her wallet. It was just for something to say though, since Hannah knew she didn’t have any cash on her and, in truth, rarely used it anymore. ‘Sorry, I’ll need to cancel it then,’ she admitted, crestfallen. And she truly was. That cannoli looked (and smelled)incredible.
‘I got it,’ mumbled someone who’d just come in behind her, a guy – around her age, she guessed – shuffling along with a cane.
‘Oh, thanks, but honestly, there’s no need,’ Hannah was quick to protest.
‘It’s not a problem. And believe me, I know how hard it is to leave one of those behind; they’re my favourite, right, Frank?’
He chuckled at the proprietor who seemed unperturbed, as if customers offering to pick up the tab for complete strangers was par for the course in here. And since this guy seemed like he was a regular, maybe it was.
‘Truly, you don’t have to—’
‘It’s fine. Besides, nobody leaves cannoli in Frank’s,’ he added, green eyes crinkling, and in a tone reminiscent of that famous line inDirty Dancing, and Hannah had to smile too. It was one of her favourite movies.
‘Well, thank you, I really appreciate it. And I’ll pay you back – maybe drop off the cash later to pass on or whatever.’
‘It’s just a couple of bucks, forget about it.’
She stole a closer look at the guy. Having ordered for himself, he proceeded hesitantly along to the register. Leaning awkwardly on the walking aid, he dug some cash out of the back pocket of his jeans.
Tall and sturdily built, with a broad chest, sandy-colouredhair and a couple of days’ growth on his (nicely chiselled) chin. Outdoorsy type, definitely not a Park or Madison Avenue suit, and way too much muscle to be tech or stockbroker, but who knew these days?
Back in LA, Rob had probably spent more time at the gym than he had with her, Hannah admitted to herself wryly. Her ex was extremely body-conscious and careful about what he ate.
But there was something about this guy’s build that suggested his bulk was genetic as opposed to pumped. She wondered too about the cane and whether the necessity for that was also genetic, or just temporary.
But wow oh wow, those eyes. Deep pools of green with golden flecks that, when focused on you, were enough to turn anyone to mush. And they were focused on Hannah now while she remained there, still a little dumbstruck that such a fine thing had picked up the tab for her morning snack. The snack currently still waiting for her to collect at the other end. So really she should stop daydreaming and just get a move on.
‘Well … thanks again, I really appreciate it and … I’ll pay you back, honestly. Like I said, I’ll call back with the cash, or return the favour sometime?’ She smiled. ‘That’s if you come here often or …’
Oh, for crying out loud, just stop talking.
‘Sounds good.’ His eyes crinkled up again, this time in amusement, and realizing she was babbling, Hannah hurriedly moved to the pickup point, deciding to just get the hell out of there. Probably just a combination of first-day work nerves and unfamiliar surroundings that were making her so tongue-tied and discombobulated, she told herself, getting a grip. Because now he seemed to think she was flirting and she definitely wasn’t.
Was she?
Eager to get moving, she grabbed her stuff off the counter and whipped backwards, not realizing the guy had since come up right behind her. Completely distracted, Hannah barrelled straight into his cane, sending it flying into the air, and her saviour off-balance.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment and she watched in horror as he scrambled (and failed) to recover his footing, before crumpling to the ground.
‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry! Here, let me help you, give me your arm …’ Mortified beyond belief, and horrified that she might have hurt him, Hannah dropped her stuff and grabbed at his shoulder, wrenching his arm back as he hoisted himself up on one knee and attempted to steady himself against the register. ‘Oh my god, sorry, I’m such an eejit.’
‘You OK, man?’ Frank had since hurried out from behind while the other customers looked on with mild interest.
‘I’m fine,’ the guy insisted, wincing in pain, or was it embarrassment?
‘Just … take my arm, OK?’ Hannah insisted. ‘It’s grand, I’ve got you.’
