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“Joe has impeccable taste.”
“Then I’d better do him justice.” Hailey selected a black vest for Joe. He didn’t need any colors or gimmicks to show off. The man could shine wearing nothing but his skivvies—and she might even pay to see that.
She signed off on the purchase just as Joe made his way out of the dressing room, the slacks and shirt draped over one arm.
He dropped them on the counter, and Hailey shoved them toward Tony. “Joe told you this was a rush job, didn’t he?”
“He did. Good thing he mentioned your name before he said he wanted it in a hurry or I would’ve told him to hit the bricks.”
She squeezed Tony’s arm. “Now you’re the liar. You’d never tell a customer to get lost, but I appreciate your service, Tony.”
As she and Joe stepped through the door, Tony called after her, “Give my best to your father.”
“Will do.” She waved behind her.
Joe took her arm. “Back to business.”
“And lunch. Chinese? We can walk to Chinatown from here.”
“I could use some fresh air.”
Hailey kept the conversation casual as they strolled to Chinatown, and Joe didn’t seem to mind the chitchat after all his talk about business. Why was he so afraid to mix a little pleasure with their work?
They joined the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, the sights, smells and sounds putting an end to any communication between them except for the occasional jab in the ribs or a pointing finger.
When Hailey spotted Superior Best, her favorite Chinese restaurant, she tugged on Joe’s sleeve and leaned in close. “We’re eating there.”
They cut sideways through the crowd and ducked into the dark embrace of the restaurant.
Lottie Chu, matriarch of the Chu family and its businesses, greeted Hailey with a spark in her dark eyes and a curt nod. “Table for two, Hailey?”
“Yes, please, Lottie. This is my...friend Joe.”
Lottie clasped the ornate menus to her chest, drumming her fingernails on the embossed covers and narrowing her eyes. “You a good friend to Hailey, Joe?”
“I think I’ve been a good friend so far, but you’ll have to ask Hailey.”
Hailey rolled her eyes. “Joe’s a good guy, Lottie. Can we please sit down now?”
The old woman hunched her thin shoulders and led them to a table in the back of the room. She smacked the menus on the table. “Sit. Good table for good guy.”
When Lottie turned and scurried to the front door to intercept a family of tourists, Joe pulled out Hailey’s chair and swiped the back of his hand across his brow. “Whew. I’m glad I sort of passed that test.”
“I’ve known Lottie for years.” Hailey turned over her teacup and whipped the napkin into her lap. “My father used to take me here when I was a little girl, and Lottie has gotten somewhat protective over the years.”
“Yeah, just a little. She seemed ready to bite my head off, though she doesn’t even look five feet tall.”
“She’s not, but don’t let her size fool you.” Hailey thanked the waiter for the tea and held the pot over Joe’s cup. “Tea?”
“Sure.”
She shoved one of the heavy menus toward him. “Any preferences?”
“I’ll let you do the honors—just no octopus or anything else I can’t identify on my plate.”
“I’ll stick to chicken, beef and pork.”
When the waiter returned, Hailey ordered some safe dishes and then picked up her teacup and inhaled the light scent of the green tea before taking a sip. “The car was stolen.”
“Figures.” Joe slammed the cup back into the saucer, and his tea sloshed into the saucer.
“That license plate I was so proud of identifying? It came back to a stolen car from San Jose. One of the officers told us that while we were still at the coffeehouse.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Joe dragged the napkin from his lap and wiped the tea from his hand. “Were there any cameras? Did the coffeehouse or any of the other businesses have cameras on the street?”
“They did, and the police may or may not look at that footage.”
“You’re telling me they’re not taking this very seriously.”
