There are really only two brief references to Joe and Daphne's relationship before she's attacked, but they're others talking about them, not Joe and Daphne actually interacting with each other.
The first comes when Willie first arrives at the Blue While and sits at the bar. Daphne tells Willie that Miss Winters is there waiting for him, Willie says maybe he and Miss Winters can get together after he has a drink, Daphne remarks on how "charming" he's behaving (meaning otherwise), to which Willie shouts that Daphne should just sit with her "loverboy" - Joe happens to be at the table with Daphne and Miss Winters.
And the second comes when Daphne is about to leave the Blue Whale after doing Sam's books. Maggie simply remarks that fishermen who have to get up early don't make for a very exciting love life, to which Daphne jokingly replies, "it's the best I can do." They don't even mention Joe by name - and all we have to go by that they are talking about Joe is Willie's previous "loverboy" remark.
My big question is: Is THAT the same car Joe drives in later eps?!
I don't honestly remember. But if so, I hope he could afford to have some work done on it. I suppose we'll see...