‘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 in Dirty 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-coloured hair 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.