Page 58 of Clean Slade
Hwan smiled at me, and his boyfriend glared, which I didn’t take as an offense. That seemed to be his signature look.
They definitely weren’t my meeting. But if they weren’t, what were they doing here?
“What are you doing here all alone?” Hwan asked.
“I…” I looked around at the spotless floors and perfectly set tables, the gold tableware, and the employees in their creaseless uniforms. “I was here to drop off a client and thought I’d stop for a quick lunch.”
“Oh, is it somebody famous? Who is it? Can you tell? I can keep a secret. I think,” Hwan said, and his boyfriend rolled his eyes.
“You can’t,” Parker told him, making Hwan pout.
“No. No one famous. Just a rich ass, I guess.”
Hwan smirked, and I checked my phone. It was two fifty-five. That didn’t bode well for my meeting. I hoped they weren’t going to be eating here. I didn’t need anyone who knew me to see me do this sort of work.
“How did you even get a table? We had to get Santiago to make our booking here. If anyone asks, we’re writing an article for the National Observer.”
He chuckled and elbowed Parker’s ribs, who pursed his lips with a nod.
Trust Tiago to be sneaky.
I’m one to talk.
“What are youactuallydoing here?” I added some playfulness to my tone to conceal some of the concern making my heart beat faster.
“After everything that happened last year, we needed a break, so we’re having a little winter vacation before returning to the craziness,” Hwan said.
That was justifiable. I imagined Parker needed it more than anything considering he’d also helped Santiago and Joey with that cartel only last week.
Jeez. Was that only last week? It feels like a lifetime ago.
“Oh fun. Did you close the bubble tea shop? How long are you here for?”
I checked the time again.
Two fifty-eight.
What are you doing, King? Get rid of them.
“No, Enzo is looking after the shop. We’re leaving today. It’s too short, isn’t it, Parker?”
“It is,” he grumbled.
“But if anything, it’s made me realize we’ll definitely need a summer vacation.”
I smiled and tried to find some of the King from before, the one who hadn’t been found by his father and dragged back into this world of crime. It wouldn’t be hard to do, but at the same time, I never wanted to fall into a false sense of security ever again. Not until Tony Ferraro Sr. was dealt with.
“Are you guys having lunch? Do you want to join me?”
Please say no. Please say no.
Or maybe I should be praying they say yes. If they did, I’d have a real excuse to delay what bullshit my father had in store for me.
“Oh no, we just ate, but we can keep you company if you want? You don’t mind, do you, Parker?”
Parker shook his head.
“Oh, it’s okay. Really. I’m fine. I was going to eat something quickly and leave. Probably the only thing I can afford here is the bread, anyway.”
