Page 24

“On what?” Kana asked.

“Whether that guy is after you or us. Loser buys food next time.”

Kana stiffened, raising her hands. “Woah! I did not agree to this!”

“I’m game,” Hal said.

Jun shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He wasn’t sure when he’d been included in this, but no one asked him to leave.

“Alright then,” Alex nodded. Kana gaped, trying to find the right words. “Don’t worry, princess. We are professionals. And since you don’t trust us, here’s your free demonstration of what we can do.” He edged closer to her, his gray eyes not leaving her gaze. “If you want out, good luck getting someone better to find your friend.”

Kana sucked in her breath. “Alright. What you got in mind, Augs?”

***

Jun hunched over his water as casually as he could after he led Hal get out of his seat. Hal made wide strides towards the large man who hunched over his coffee, steam clouding his thick-rimmed glasses. Just a step before the man, Hal stretched his arms so quickly he accidentally punched the man’s shoulder. Steaming hot coffee sprayed over the counter and the man.

“Woah, sorry about that!” Hal exclaimed.

The man jolted, looking confused.

Hal grabbed napkins from the nearest dispenser. “Here, let me help you.”

The man stood with his hands up, backing away from Hal. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”

Jun’s pulse quickened from the man’s unexpected calm response.

“Nah nah, it’s my bad. I should at least help.”

From the booth, Jun watched Hal’s hands move—one wiping the counter, the other dipping low. Quick. Practiced. He lowered his free hand and motioned the man to sit back down.

“It’s alright. Thank you.” The man slouched back down with his hands in his hoodie pocket. His stern tone made it seem like he was trying to push Hal away without touching him.

“Still, I’m really sorry about that. Can I get you something?”

He took off his glasses to wipe away the sweat between his thick eyebrows. Eyes closed, he sighed before he put his glasses back. “Yes. In fact, what would help is if you could give me back what you took from my pocket.”

Hal took a small step back in offense. “Excuse me?”

Jun felt two taps on his shoulder. Alex jerked his head, signaling he wanted out. A cold knot formed in his gut. This wasn’t what they just discussed. But Alex shoved past him without saying a word.

“You sat me back down and bent over to take something from me, isn’t that right?”

“Hey man,” Hal said slowly, raising his hands with the soaked napkin dripping in coffee. “I was just trying to be a good Samaritan. What you accusing me for?”

“Then give me back what you took from me.”

“Hey.” Alex stepped forward with his hand clasped on Hal’s shoulder. He pushed himself forward to face the man nose to nose. “I saw the whole ordeal, and my good friend here is doing you a good deed. Why you turning the tables on him?”

“Then he shouldn’t have bumped me in the first place.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have been sitting there,” Alex retorted. “We could go on arguing all day, but there ain’t no reason for you to be a dick to someone that’s giving you his sincere apology.”

The man stood taller and glowered at Alex, his large hands flexing into fists.

Jun’s stomach clenched.

Alex barely reached the man’s chin, but he stood there like he was the bigger one. It was either brave or foolish—Jun couldn’t tell which. Several customers around them exchanged whispers as they watched in anticipation.