Speak Now Read Online Free Page B

repeated herself without glancing his way. “The loop for the strap on my purse is cracking. I just don’t understand it.”
    “Leather shouldn’t crack—not good leather.” He reached over and rubbed the leather between his thumb and forefinger. “Old?”
    “Less than three months.”
    “I’d take it back. That looks like good leather—not cheap.” He pulled into an empty parking space on a side street.
    Cara glanced around her. “Whoa… The Fiddleleaf Café? I’ve wanted to come here for ages, but they’re always packed.”
    He led her to the hostess desk of the café and gave his name. As the hostess led them to their table, Jonathan said, “Perhaps you just need to call…”
    Warmth tinged her cheeks, but Cara chose to ignore the slight embarrassment. “Show off.”
    “A man has to try…”
    A server brought a bowl of fruit and small plates as he stopped to take their drink order. Cara speared several pieces of fruit and dropped them on her plate before perusing the menu. “Have you eaten here?”
    “No, but my mother likes it. She recommends the turkey wrap. She says that they actually use Turkish spices in it—cumin, sumac, and mint I believe. It comes with a…” He found the item on the menu before continuing. “—there. Red lentil soup and the salad has no lettuce—it’s more like a salsa.”
    “Sounds delicious. I had thought about the Californian, but wow. It’s hard to decide now.” She peered over the menu. “What are you ordering?”
    “The Turkey. I want to be able to tell Mom that I liked it—or didn’t.” He leaned forward. “Get your Californian and take a bite of my dishes. Win-win.”
    As they waited for their food, Cara glanced around the restaurant, taking a moment to watch the other diners. Servers rushed to and fro, bringing plates, removing plates, refilling water glasses, offering more fruit, and leaving tickets at tables before greeting new guests. In the corner, a strange scene played out. Cara nodded in the direction of the table. “Look over there.”
    Jonathan followed her gaze. “What?”
    “They’ve been like that since we got here. He’s working on that laptop, going through all those papers. She’s just chatting at him from time to time while she eats her fruit.” Understanding dawned. “Oh, look at that. Oh, that’s too cute.”
    “What?”
    “Look at him. He’s done. He hasn’t taken a bite since we got here.”
    “So he’s a fast eater.”
    She shook her head. “No, she came in just after us. He stayed for her to eat. He hasn’t said a word to her. I don’t even think he greeted her when she sat down.”
    “Maybe they’re mad at each other—or he’s mad at her.”
    Cara watched him for a moment and then shook her head once more. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t un—wait, he’s leaving. Look.”
    The man closed his laptop and slid it into a briefcase. The papers dropped into a file and disappeared into the case as well. He grabbed a jacket—a deep but bright blue—and stood, pulling it on. With his collarless shirt, the effect was decidedly European in Cara’s estimation. Her breath caught as he smiled at his lunch companion. His hand reached for the check. Hers covered it just before he could slide it off the table. His hand hovered as if daring her. She pulled hers back and speared another piece of cantaloupe.
    A sigh escaped as Cara watched him turn, without a word, and leave. “I wish I knew what just happened.”
    “Maybe he’s…” Jonathan fumbled for the right word. “What do you call people who can’t speak these days? I imagine ‘mute’ is socially incorrect now.”
    “Speech impaired? I don’t know.” She pointed at him as he paid the check. “Looks to me like he can talk.” She strained to listen but couldn’t hear a word. “Did you notice his blazer and that shirt? There’s something almost European about him. Maybe he doesn’t speak English.”
    Their food arrived before Jonathan could reply,