Chapter 195

Lucie couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, what do you wanna have?"

Elio grinned, looking way too pleased with himself. "Anything's fine."

"How about some meatloaf?"

He shook his head quickly. "No way, anything but that. I've had enough of them to last a lifetime."

Lucie thought for a second. Right, after all those years abroad, he was probably sick of it. "Okay, then let's try something local. There's this burger place nearby. Sound good?"

"That sounds perfect."

"Great, I'll grab my keys."

"Let's go."

As they started to leave, Mr. Lee hurried over, lowering his voice. "Ms. Anderson, burger's a bit too casual. Mr. Pitts is a big client. Shouldn't we take him somewhere fancier? I can arrange something, if you want."

He was the deputy manager, and no one knew more about schmoozing clients than he did. Guys like Mr. Pitts deserved the full VIP treatment. Dinner, drinks, maybe even a little after-hours fun. That was the way to lock in a deal.

Lucie stared at him, not getting what he was really hinting at.

Mr. Lee puffed up his chest, looking totally confident. "Leave it to me, Ms. Anderson. Entertaining clients is my specialty."

Lucie just looked at him, speechless.

Mr. Lee's round face broke into a sly, eager grin. "Mr. Pitts, it's an honor to have you here. Can't let you go hungry on my watch. Allow me to take you somewhere special, a private kitchen that's impossible to find unless you know the right

people. The food is incredible, and there's always something new on the menu. I guarantee you'll love it." He shot Elio a knowing look, the kind men share when they think they're in on the same joke.

"Ms. Anderson knows antiqu but when it comes to town, I'm your guy."

ding the best spots in

Lucie, catching on a beat too late, nodded. "Sure, let Mr. Lee take you."

Mr. Lee bowed, practically beaming. "Mr. Pitts, right this way..."

Elio's face dropped. He shoved Mr. Lee's chubby face aside, impatient. “Yeah, no thanks. Get out of here. I'm a decent guy, okay?"

He rushed to catch up with Lucie, putting on his best puppy-eyed look. "Lucie, that guy's weird. I didn't even understand half of what he was saying. You should just fire him."

Lucie paused, a little thrown. "Um... so what do you actually want to eat?"

Elio, afraid she'd try to back out, jumped in. "Weren't you going to take me for burgers?"

"Alright. Burger it is. Let's go."

Elio lit up. "Perfect!" He glanced back

at Mr.

theme, who was about to f

"Why are

You still here? Don't

you get the hunt? Go away.

Mr. Lee stood there, stunned for a second before it clicked. "Oh... right. Of course.

Please enjoy your meal."

After Lucie and Elio left, Mr. Lee

stood there, frowning to himself. "So, Mr. Pitts is here for Ms. Anderson? But isn't she married? And her husband's the richest guy in New Amberton. Who'd risk messing with that? Then again, anyone who can casually drop two hundred million on an antique is

Wably a big deal

too. Whatever As long as the deal goes through, I don't care who he is. Rich guys from down south are

always easy to fool."

***

Half an hour later, Lucie pulled up in front of a famous old hot pot restaurant.

"We're here."

Inside, a waiter greeted them. "Table for two? Would you like a booth or a private room?"

"Private room, please."

"Right this way."

Their "private room" was really just a cozy little alcove with a curtain for privacy, old-fashioned and full of character.

"Can we see the menu?"

"Of course."

"Elio, what do you want to eat?"

"Whatever you're having."

So Lucie ordered a few of the restaurant's must-try dishes. She'd already had lunch, but she was happy to keep him company.

When the waiter left, Lucie asked, "So, how long are you staying in Westbrook?"

Elio leaned in, his chin propped on his hand, grinning at her. "That depends on how long it takes to find the perfect icon. As long as I find it before the twentieth of next month I'm good."

Lucie stared. "That's over twenty days from now. You're going to hang around Westbrook for that long?"

"Why not?"

"Don't you have work or something?"

He shrugged. "We only get about thirty thousand days on this planet. Why waste

them on boring work? I'd rather enjoy myself."

Lucie just shook her head, lost for words.