Homicide and Halo-Halo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2)(24)

Adeena glanced at the clock. Nine a.m. “Now, actually. Elena and I decided that we’ll start earlier once we have our official opening, but wanted to stick to a simple nine to five this week.”

As she said that, a tall figure knocked on the glass and waved at us. She hurried to let him in. “Jae! How are you?”

Dr. Jae Park owned the dental clinic a few doors down and had become a good friend after I’d moved back to Shady Palms. I could tell that he hoped for something more than friendship, but at this point in time, it was all I was able to give. Though sometimes I wished I could. Like when he stood in front of me, glistening from the heat, filling out his scrubs in a way that made those shapeless bits of cloth Bernadette was always complaining about look downright sexy. Though with Adeena standing there watching us, I couldn’t help but think of Amir and his suit-and-tie perfection waiting for me to make a decision. Guilt pooled in my stomach, effectively stopping my ogling—I turned my mind to more pressing matters.

Jae stepped into the shop, briefly turning his face toward the air conditioner on the wall before smiling at us. “Why, hello, my witchy women. Do I get the honor of being your first customer?”

He’d taken to calling me a witchy woman after he’d heard me singing the Eagles song at karaoke one day. He said it suited me, so I’d laughed and told him about the meaning of our cafe name, which cemented the nickname. It was cheesy, but I didn’t mind. His cheesiness was part of what made him so sweet.

“You do! And for that distinction, you can have the rest of these cookies that I’d prepared as a sample. I was about to go in the back to make a fresh batch for the cafe.” I handed over the bag. “Tell me what you think so I can make any tweaks before getting started. I already know I’m adding macadamia nuts to the white chocolate version.”

He took his taste-testing job seriously, scrunching up his face in concentration as he tried each cookie. “Man, these are good. I think the macadamia nuts are a good call for the white chocolate chip. Coconut might also be nice, either in addition to the nuts or as a replacement for those with nut allergies. The regular chocolate chip cookies are fine.”

There was something about the way he said it that prompted me to ask, “Just fine?”

He shrugged. “I mean, they’re delicious. But something seems like it’s missing. I don’t know, maybe I’m just comparing them too much to my idea of what a chocolate chip cookie should taste like.”

“Hmm.” I made a noncommittal noise as I tried to decipher what was missing from my recipe. Just when I thought I had finally nailed the baking thing. At least I had a jumping-off point. Perfecting those cookies was what I needed to get out of my funk and they were going to be glorious, so help me . . .

“By the way, are you OK? I heard about Rob Thompson.” Jae, probably noticing the troubled look on my face, changed the subject.

I groaned. “How much did you hear?”

“That you stumbled across another dead body.”

“What?!” Adeena rounded on me. “How could you not tell me?”

“I was going to tell you the whole story while I prepped the cookies, but then, you know.” I gestured toward Jae.

He smiled gently. “It’s OK. My brother told me everything.”

“Really? I didn’t think Detective Park would talk about a case with family.”

“He usually wouldn’t, but he knows we’re friends. He wanted me to check up on you. Make sure you were doing OK, ‘processing things well,’ was the way he put it.”

I crossed my arms and huffed. “So you’re my keeper now?”

He put his hand on my arm. “Don’t be like that. He was worried about you. I’m worried about you. It must’ve been an awful shock.”

I put my hand on his and squeezed lightly before stepping back. “Thanks, Jae. And you’re right. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t had Sana with me. And Longganisa.”

Though if Nisa hadn’t been with me, maybe I wouldn’t have found the body in the first place. No, I couldn’t blame my poor puppy for this. She was just doing her job, using her sniffer to find potential threats and keep us safe.

“The cookies can wait,” Adeena said. “You need to tell us what happened before anyone else shows up.”

“Whip me up an iced coconut milk latte and you’re on.”

Adeena winked. “I’ll do you one better. I created a new spin on my cold brew just for you. I want to see if you can figure it out.”

“Can I get one, too? It’s so hot outside and I need to open the clinic soon. I could use the caffeine boost.”

“Two Lila Specials, coming right up!”

While Adeena worked, Elena turned her charms on Jae. “Now, Jae, don’t you think the clinic could use a bit of redecorating? I’ve got the perfect plant over here that would really brighten up the reception area. And that herbal tea your mom loves.”

I hopped on a seat by the counter as those two debated between a tall, palm tree–looking thing (what? Plants were Elena’s thing, not mine) or several hanging pots with dangling vines. “So what’s this special drink that bears my name?”

“You tell me.” Adeena placed two frosty drinks in front of me. “There’re two versions, sweetened and unsweetened. The sweetened one is for Jae, but I poured you a sample so you can try both.”