Page 7 of Stalking His Assassin

Maybe I’m wrong in my assessment that I only have one person I care for because I’m fond of Emmanuel and his daughter. They are good people. The fact that he has kept to his original business model to keep the Casa Verde accessible despite how wildly successful it is makes me respect him even more. He could easily double or triple his prices and make the entire restaurant reservation only, but he doesn’t.

“How was your business trip?” Harper asks.

“It wasn’t as straightforward as I anticipated.”

“Did you take time for some fun like I suggested?”

My smile is a mix of what Harper calls unhinged and the genuine one I reserve for her. “Yes, I made sure to have fun while away.”

Before she can grill me on what I did, Emmanuel walks up carrying Harper’s margarita and my lemon water.

“Bienvenido jefa!” he says happily.

“I’m no longer your boss, Emmanuel.”

He waves my words away like always. “I have a new recipe for you to try. I’ve been saving it for your next visit.”

“You are going to spoil her, Emmanuel,” Harper scolds.

He pats my shoulder. “She needs spoiling.”

I shift in my chair, feeling uncomfortable at his open affection. He smiles at me knowingly. “I will return with your meal.”

“Thank you,” Harper says when I don’t respond.

I sip my water, hoping to wash away the uncomfortable feelings.

“He’s such a sweet man. If he weren’t still mourning his wife…” Harper says.

That dispels my discomfort. “Don’t be gross. He could be your father.”

She snorts. “If he had gray hair, that man would be a silver fox. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with being with an older man. I’m done with guys my age. They are all fuck boys, and I’m looking for relationship potential.”

“Surely not every guy our age is bad…”

She gives me an incredulous look. “Jake, Lester, Andy, Travis, Mateo, and Cameron are the only proof I need that men in their twenties aren’t worth my time.”

“They were all pretty awful,” I admit.

“Point made. I’m going for a silver fox this time. Maybe I’ll find me a sugar daddy and become a lady of leisure.”

I laugh. “Yeah, right. You’d last a week before you were bored. You enjoy your work too much.”

“It was just a thought. Though I wouldn’t mind a boyfriend that pays for dinner for a change. Fuck going Dutch, and I swear if another man claims to have forgotten his wallet, I’m going to start a riot.”

“I’m sure the right guy is out there,” I say because it’s what she wants to hear, not actually what I believe.

I hope she can find a nice guy who will make her happy, but I’m unconvinced there’s a special person out in the world for everyone. Maybe it’s just people like me that don’t get that kind of life. Who would want to be with an assassin? There’s a little sliver of hope inside me that I’m wrong and that maybe I could have the same kind of happiness that Harper believes in, but I’m a realist.

Emmanuel brings our food and watches intently as I take a bite of his newest creation. I groan in appreciation as flavor explodes over my tongue. “This is amazing. Maybe the best thing you’ve created.”

Harper stabs a piece of steak and peppers from my plate. She lets out her own sounds of approval. “Okay, this might be my new favorite.”

Emmanuel’s smile grows. “That’s high praise coming from you, Miss Harper. Since your first visit, you’ve been very dedicated to my specialty tacos.”

She shrugs. “Tacos are the holy grail of Mexican food.”

He laughs. “That they are. Sojefa, does it go on the menu?”

---