CHAPTER 261: CHAPTER 261 HANDWRITING AND HEARTSTRINGS

Ava’s POV

Joseph looked heartbroken when I declined him. He put his hand on his chest like I had really hurt him.

"You know, you’re the hardest woman I’ve ever tried to date," he said. His eyes were smiling instead of sad.

I had to laugh. "Then you better try harder. Though I can’t promise it will work."

"Is that a challenge, Ms. Flynn?" Joseph smiled as he walked me back to my car. "Because I never give up on a challenge."

"Take it however you want," I said and shrugged."I need to get back to work before I lose my job."

"Let me drive you," he said. He pointed to a nice black car nearby. "It’s the least I can do after taking half your lunch break."

I waited a moment. "You didn’t take anything. I chose to come."

"And I hope you’ll choose to come to dinner with me next," he said.

He opened the car door for me.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I got in.

The car smelled like expensive leather and his amazing scent.

"If," I said. "If I change my mind."

The drive back to the store was short. But it was long enough for me to wonder what I was doing. My mother would be angry if she knew I was sitting in an Alpha’s car. She would be even more upset if she knew I was thinking about having dinner with him.

When we got to the store, Joseph walked me to the door. His hand touched my back lightly. The touch made me feel warm all over.

"Think about it," he said quietly before leaving. "One dinner. What’s the worst that could happen?"

I watched him walk away. I looked at how his nice suit showed his broad shoulders and confident walk. The worst that could happen? I could fall for him. That would be the worst thing possible.

Three days later, on Sunday, it was tiring. I was alone in the store, and both Cybele and Cynthia had left for what they said would be a "quick snack" over an hour ago. Laura had the whole day off, leaving me to handle the weekend rush by myself.

"There she is. The beautiful Ava."

Joseph walked into the store like he owned it. He wore dark jeans and a navy shirt that made his tanned skin look amazing. His hair was a little messy, like he’d been running his hands through it. His smile was bright enough to light up the entire mall.

My heart jumped.

"Good evening," I said, keeping my voice professional. "Don’t tell me your friend didn’t like her gift?"

"I haven’t given it to her yet," he said.

He reached across the counter to take my hand. Before I could pull away, he kissed my knuckles softly. "But I’m sure she’ll love it."

I pulled my hand back. I tried to ignore the tingling feeling his touch left behind. "Please let her know that exchanges are welcome if it doesn’t fit or she doesn’t like it."

"I’ll tell her that." His smile became playful.

"Why so formal? You don’t need to call me ’sir.’"

"What should I call you then?" I asked.

"Joseph," he said simply. "We’ve been through this before, haven’t we?"

"We have," I said with a small smile.

"Good." He grinned.

"I see you raised yourself well after all."

"Actually, my mother gets the credit for that," he said confidently. "Speaking of my mother, she pulled my ear and told me I had to apologize for how I acted the other day. So please accept my apology for being thoughtless and pushy."

"You’re forgiven," I said. I was surprised by how humble he was being. "Did your mother like her gift, by the way?"

"You won’t believe what happened." He leaned against the counter, close enough that I could smell his amazing scent. "She liked the little prayer card you sent better than the actual gift."

I burst out laughing. "You actually gave it to her? I was trying to annoy you!"

"Of course I did! You sent it to her." He smiled. "But she was right – I did owe you an apology. And..."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package. "I got you something."

"You bought me a present?" I asked, genuinely surprised as I accepted the package.

"Consider it part of my formal apology."

I opened it to find a small box containing a beautiful purse keychain.

"It’s beautiful, Joseph. Thank you," I said, genuinely touched by the thoughtfulness.

"There’s also a card," he added, producing an envelope from his pocket.

The outside read in elegant handwriting: "Sorry about being rude the other day, but you were the one who was wrong."

I laughed at his audacity and opened the envelope. Inside was a prayer card similar to the one I’d sent his mother. On the back was written: "I’m a complete idiot. Maybe I need more people besides my mother praying for me. I’m sorry for my attitude."

"How sweet! I’ll pray for you daily," I teased. "Your handwriting is quite nice."

Before Joseph could respond, the store door opened, and Eleanor and Caroline walked in, both looking surprised to find Joseph there.

"Boss, are you redecorating your wardrobe?" Eleanor asked sarcastically.

"Are you two following me?" Joseph shot back with a grin.

We chatted for a few minutes before the girls invited me to lunch later that week and a night out on Saturday. I exchanged numbers with them, and they left with knowing smiles, but Joseph lingered.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something else, Cybele and Cynthia finally returned from their "quick snack," their makeup freshly applied and coffee cups in hand. Cybele’s eyes immediately locked onto Joseph like a heat-seeking missile.

"Well, hello there," she purred, sliding between us. "Can I help you with something? Ava is terribly slow with customers."

"No thanks," Joseph replied coolly. "Ava is perfect."

He gently took my elbow and guided me toward the lingerie section, leaving Cybele gaping after us.

"So," he said once we were out of earshot, "thank you for the compliment about my handwriting."

"You’re welcome," I teased.

"You know what would make me even happier?"

"Maybe."

His smile became playful. "I noticed you made dinner plans with the girls. Why not go out with me alone instead?"

"And why would I do that?"

"Because we’re friends now," he said smoothly. Then he looked at a white lace bodysuit on display. "Wow, that’s really pretty."

"It is gorgeous," I agreed. "Made with French lace and tulle. See how delicate the details are?" I carefully lifted the hanger to show him.

Joseph’s eyes darted from the bodysuit to me, then back again.

He pulled out his credit card with a sly smile. "Please wrap one in your size for me."

"I think you’d need a much larger size, Joseph," I countered with a smirk.

"Very funny!" He laughed without shame. "It’s for my friend in the dress."

"Mmm, is this friend going to become a girlfriend?" I couldn’t believe I was flirting with him so openly.

"Maybe." He winked. "And I still want you to go out to dinner with me."

I took his card and the bodysuit to the register, making a pretty package while he watched. Secretly, I slipped in a note that read: "I’m running away from problems..."

"It was a pleasure serving you again," I said professionally, walking him to the door.

Joseph took my hand once more, pressing a lingering kiss to it. "This isn’t over, Ava Flynn," he murmured before leaving with a wink.

Through the storefront glass, I spotted Nina at the makeup store across the way, watching the entire exchange with an enormous grin. Great, I’d have explaining to do later.