CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 262 FRIEND AS CUPIDS

Nina’s POV

I was just finishing with a customer when I spotted him through our store window—Joseph Garcia, the guy Ava had been telling me about all week.

The notorious playboy Alpha of Nightbane Pack was standing across the mall walkway, staring into the clothing store where Ava worked like a lovesick puppy.

My wolf Cleo started prancing around excitedly in my head.

"Look at him," Cleo whispered in my mind. "He’s completely smitten with her."

I smiled. "You’re right. This is going to be fun."

Joseph was tall and imposing in his tailored suit, looking every bit the powerful businessman he was. The kind of man who could have any woman he wanted, yet here he was, pining after my stubborn friend who kept pushing him away.

I quickly texted Ava: "Your Alpha stalker is here. Don’t look now. Act natural."

Then I decided to have a little fun. After all, Ava deserved someone good after what that asshole Isaac did to her. And this Alpha had actually rescued her from Isaac, even if he didn’t remember me being there that night. He’d been so focused on Ava he probably hadn’t noticed anyone else existed.

I put on my best customer service smile, and crossed the mall to where Joseph stood.

"Looking for something special, sir?" I asked, trying not to laugh at how he jumped.

Joseph turned, his eyes narrowing as he studied me."No, I was just—"

"Just checking out my best friend through the window?" I finished for him, arching an eyebrow.

His expression changed from surprise to worry. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Sure you don’t," I said, crossing my arms. "Listen, I could call security and report you for stalking,or you could come into my store and actually buy something instead of just hanging around outside."

Joseph’s jaw tightened. "I was planning to buy my sister a gift."

"Oh please," I snorted. "I’ve been watching you watch her for fifteen minutes. At least be honest if you want my help."

"Your help?" His eyebrows shot up.

"I’m Nina," I said, extending my hand. "Ava’s best friend and now your fairy godmother if you play your cards right."

He hesitated before shaking my hand. "Joseph Garcia."

"I know exactly who you are," I said with a smirk. "Alpha of Nightbane, CEO of Puma Global, and the guy who saved my friend from getting hurt by her asshole ex-boyfriend."

His eyes widened slightly. "You were there?"

"You were too busy playing hero to notice me," I said. "Now, do you want intel on Ava or not? Because the price goes up depending on how much you’re bothering her."

"I’m not bothering—" He stopped himself and sighed. "Fine. Yes, I’m interested in Ava. And there’s no budget limit as long as you don’t try to sell me the entire store."

I grinned. "Oh, you have no idea how expensive good makeup can be."

Twenty minutes later, I had assembled the perfect makeup collection in Ava’s color palette—everything she’d ever need but was too frugal to buy for herself.

"So she really works full-time at that clothing store?" Joseph asked as I added another palette to the growing pile.

"Yeah, even though she has a business degree," I said. "That bastard Isaac really did a number on her confidence. Cheated on her with her coworker."

Joseph’s expression darkened. "What kind of idiot would cheat on Ava?"

"The kind who deserves to have his car keyed," I said cheerfully. "Which may or may not have happened."

That actually got a laugh out of him. "I like your style, Nina."

I started ringing up his purchases, secretly texting Ava to take her break in two minutes.

When the total came up on the register, Joseph blinked. "There must be some mistake."

"Nope," I said, popping the ’p’. "That’s what happens when you buy the best for someone special. Twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred and forty-two dollars and sixteen cents."

The color drained from his face. "That can’t be right."

"Premium cosmetics, Alpha," I said sweetly. "Shall I put something back?"

"No. Run the card."

As he signed the receipt with a slightly trembling hand, I spotted Ava walking toward the food court.

"She’s leaving for her break," I said. "If you hurry, you might accidentally bump into her."

Joseph looked like he was torn between strangling me and thanking me. He handed me his business card. "Have this delivered to my office. And call me—I think I want to offer you a job."

"A job?" I blinked in surprise.

"You just sold me thirty grand of makeup without me putting up much of a fight," he said with a wry smile. "I need someone like you in my marketing department."

I watched in amusement as Joseph hurried after Ava, "accidentally" bumping into her and pretending to be surprised to see her. The man was shameless, but I had to admit, they looked good together.

The next morning, I decided to take him up on his job offer. When I walked into the Puma Global building, I nearly fell over. The building was huge and impressive.

The receptionist directed me to the top floor.

"I have a delivery for Joseph Garcia," I said, holding up the shopping bag.

The elevator doors opened again, and Eleanor walked in, looking stunning in a designer suit.

"Nina, right?" she said with a bright smile. "We met at Ava’s store!"

"That’s right," I replied, surprised she remembered me.

She eyed the makeup bag with curiosity. "Is that what Joseph bought? My Goddess, he’s got it bad."

"Twenty-eight thousand dollars worth of bad," I confirmed.

Eleanor’s eyes widened. "You’re kidding! Oh, this I have to see. Come on!"

She led me into a big corner office where Joseph was looking at his computer.

"Joseph, you have a visitor," Eleanor announced.

He looked up. "Ah, the little extortionist herself."

"Extortionist?" Eleanor repeated with delight.

"Eleanor, this is Nina. Nina, this is Eleanor, my assistant. Nina here convinced me to spend almost thirty thousand on makeup yesterday, and apparently I also offered her a job."

"I think I need to hear this whole story," Eleanor said, gesturing for me to sit.

We told Eleanor how we met. She laughed so hard she cried, especially when I mentioned how Joseph kept staring at Ava.

"Nina, I absolutely love you," she declared. "Joseph needs someone who won’t take his Alpha bullshit. When can you start?"

"I’d need to give two weeks’ notice at the cosmetics store," I said, still stunned that this was actually happening.

"Done," Joseph said decisively. "Eleanor will handle the paperwork. Welcome to Puma Global, Nina."

As I left his office with a job offer that tripled my current salary, I couldn’t help thinking that playing Cupid was turning out to be quite profitable.

And I was just getting started with Operation Get-Ava-A-Hot-Alpha-Boyfriend.