“Nope.” A last name will make it easier for him to conduct a background search. I motion to Pops. “And this handsome devil is my Pops.”
Pops smiles at her. “What can I get you, Phoebe?”
“Um…” Her eyes scan the bar. “A beer?”
I roll my eyes. “Make her a vodka martini with Stolichnaya.”
“I don’t want to put him out,” she whispers.
“Please. A martini is not a big deal. We even have the proper cocktail glasses.”
“But…” She trails off. I squeeze her hand to encourage her. After a moment, she nods to Pops.
Suzie motions to Pops. “Have you seen her pops? He’s a total DILF. Women flock to the bar. He can prepare any frou-frou drink you can think of.”
Pops cheeks flame, but he chuckles as he sets the martini on the bar top. “Why don’t you ladies grab a booth and I’ll put an order in for some nachos?”
“And maybe some veg and hummus.”
Pops screeches to a halt, and the uncles swivel their heads to stare at me. “Not for me,” I explain. “Phoebe is a health nut.”
“I wouldn’t say health nut,” she denies.
I raise an eyebrow. “Then you do want nachos?”
She clears her throat. “A platter of vegetables with hummus would be lovely.”
We choose a booth on the opposite side of the bar from my uncles’ table. I wouldn’t put it past them to spend the entire evening eavesdropping on us.
We barely have a chance to sit before Suzie begins interrogating Phoebe. “Are you from Milwaukee? You don’t sound like a native Wisconsinite. You have some accent I can’t place. Where is your accent from? Are you single? Do you have any children? How old are you?”
Subtle is not a word you can apply to Suzie. “Give her a chance to breathe, will you?” The poor woman is still shaking from meeting the uncles.
The door opens, and I watch as Aiden strolls in the bar. He takes one step inside and is immediately surrounded by the uncles. Damn. Now, I have to save him.
“Officer Barnes,” I shout as I walk to the group. “Did you want to see me?”
“Yeah, Barnes.” Wally mimics me. “Did you want to see Hailey?”
I elbow him. “He’s the officer assigned to my case, remember? He’s not a suitor.”
Sid growls. “Why not? Does he think he’s too good for you?”
My uncles do my head in. “Come on.” I lead Aiden to an empty table in the middle of the bar where I can keep my eye on my uncles and Pops at the same time. Pops hasn’t said a thing, but he’s staring at Aiden as if he stole the last bottle of Guinness in the place.
“Did you discover any leads in my case?” I ask once we’re seated.
“Well, hello, Hailey. It’s nice to see you, too. I’m doing fine. Thanks for asking.”
I roll my eyes. “Sarcasm does not look good on you, Barnes.” I’m lying. The man looks good in anything. Hell, he could scream the alphabet while drunk wearing a diaper and he’d still look hot. Nope. Shake those thoughts of a near-naked Aiden right out of your head, Hailey. I’ve had just the one beer. Honest.
“I’ve checked out about half of the clients, but I’ve got bupkis thus far.” I open my mouth to say I told you so, but he doesn’t give me a chance. “I still have thirty clients to check out.”
I stand. “Well, thanks for coming by to update me personally. Grab a beer on me before you leave.”
Aiden grabs my wrist before I can make my escape. My skin tingles and heat flows from my wrist straight to my lady bits. I pull my hand away before he can notice the effect he has on me. Judging by the smirk on his face, I wasn’t quick enough.
“Sit down. I’m not done.”