Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [116]
She shook the thought from her head. She had more important things to worry about right now than fitting into the family. Since Mr. Fong had suggested the possibility that the connection between the dragons and the box might mimic a connection between the various owners of those three pieces, she couldn't stop thinking about the connection between the three grandfathers. If Riley's grandfather had a dragon, then it made sense that one of the other two men might also have one. But probably not her grandfather. He'd simply worked in the stockroom at Hathaway's. He hadn't been in a position of power.
Still ... there was something about the dragon that bothered her grandparents, and she had to find out what that something was.
"Alyssa?"
She turned her head to see Ben crossing the street. "What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise, feeling her heart skip a beat at the sight of him.
He smiled at her. "Trying to catch up to you. I saw you as I was leaving my friend's apartment." He pointed to a building down the street. "I couldn't believe you were actually making another trip to Chinatown."
"I want to talk to my grandfather. He's in the café."
"I can see that. He's eating alone. Hiding out from the family?"
"Avoiding the New Year's Eve preparations, I'm sure."
"You're going to ask him about the dragon?"
"I thought I might ask him about Wallace Hathaway instead, see if I can find another way into the conversation."
"Want some company?"
"I don't think so. Although he did always like you."
"What's not to like?" Ben asked teasingly. "Wait, forget I asked. You probably have a list somewhere."
"I left it at home."
Ben glanced toward the window of the café. "He's having pie. Looks like dinner is almost over. If you're planning to go, you better do it now."
"All right. Would you wait for me out here? Unless you have other plans or something. You probably do have other plans. I don't know what I'm thinking. Forget I asked."
"You are one crazy woman," Ben told her. "You argue both sides before anyone has a chance to say anything."
"I know. I should have been a lawyer. But I wanted to make money now, not in three years. I couldn't wait any longer to be independent. And I want to get this issue with the dragon resolved so I can go back to my own life." Her words erased the smile from his face, the light from his eyes.
"I'm sure you must be eager to get away from here," he said. "I actually have something to do. I'll see you around."
"Ben, wait."
"What?"
"I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I'm grateful for all the help you've given me, and especially for your friendship, which I don't deserve."
He walked back to her with deliberate, purposeful steps that made her want to step back, but she couldn't move. Because this was Ben, and she suddenly wanted very much to hear what he had to say.
"You deserve everything you want, Alyssa. And I hope you get it all."
"I wish you wouldn't be so nice."
"That's my problem. I'm the nice guy, the one who doesn't get the girl."
"It's not you, it's me," she whispered. "Until I figure out who I am, I don't feel as if I have anything to offer."
"I already know who you are. I've known for a long time. When you figure it out, give me a call." He put his hand under her chin, tipping up her face so he could look into her eyes. "Just don't wait too long."
Before she could reply, he brushed her lips with his, a brief, teasing kiss that made her want more. He was halfway down the street before she got her breath back. Turning toward the café, she forced herself to move, up the steps, through the door, and into the seat across from her grandfather.
"Alyssa," he said with surprise.
"I saw you through the window," she said. "Did you play the races today?" She tipped her head toward the racing form that was marked up with numbers and circles.
"I won a few dollars. I don't bet much, you know that. Your grandmother