CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62 THE CHASE IS ON

Joseph’s POV

When I walked into the boutique to greet Eleanor and Caroline, I never expected to see the most beautiful woman ever. She was like a goddess, glowing with this golden light around her. Her scent caught me right away, wild berries and vanilla mixed with citrus. It made Talon, my wolf, go crazy wanting to get closer to her.

Ava was absolutely gorgeous! The moment I saw her fit body, I couldn’t help thinking about kissing every part of her beautiful olive skin and running my fingers through her wavy chestnut hair. What an amazing woman!

I stayed with the girls just to be near this incredible saleswoman, but she barely noticed me. I really wanted to see her wearing something as short as the dresses Eleanor and Caroline were trying on, so I said I needed to buy a gift.

Ava showed me this little gold dress that made Talon wild imagining how perfect she’d look in it, but she refused to try it on. So I bought the dress and sandals right away, hoping to see her wear them someday.

When I asked for her card, she only gave me the store’s number. She completely ignored me! But that would change, I knew it would. I went home thinking about this beautiful woman, feeling like a young wolf again.

I came back the next day and tried everything to get her number, but nothing worked. Eleanor and Caroline found me at the counter, still trying to get Ava’s attention. They enjoyed watching me struggle.

Ava wrote her number down and gave it to both girls. Then she told me to leave, saying her boss wouldn’t like me flirting with the staff.

Monday morning, Eleanor handed me the shopping bags.

"Joseph, leave Ava alone, she’s really nice," Eleanor said seriously.

"Oh, she’s very nice indeed, Eleanor!" I grinned at her.

"Stop being such a Casanova, Joseph!" Eleanor scolded me like she was my Mom. Now I really felt like a teenager. I had to laugh at that.

I spent all day looking at those shopping bags, trying to figure out how to win over my goddess. She had completely taken over my thoughts without giving me even a chance. By evening, Talon was getting restless, pushing me to go find her. So I left work and headed to the mall.

I spotted my goddess through the store window helping a customer. She had to leave sometime. I went to wait in the makeup store across from hers, but a short girl with braces who worked there came right up to me.

"Can I help you find something, sir?"

I looked at her confused, then realized how weird I must look just standing there staring at the other store. Since I might be waiting a while for Ava to leave, I needed an excuse to stay. We were by some lipsticks, so I tried to think fast.

"Hi, I’m shopping for my sister. She loves makeup, but I don’t know much about it." I smiled at the girl, but she looked at me suspiciously before flashing her metal-filled grin.

"You’re not really here for makeup, are you? You’re watching someone in that store!" The girl caught me completely.

"Okay, yes, I like one of the saleswomen. I just want to ask her for coffee. Could you let me stay here for a bit?" I smiled awkwardly, hoping she’d help me out.

"I could let you stay... or I could tell security you’re stalking her," she said, and I stared at the little troublemaker in shock. "But if you actually buy something..."

I quickly got what she was doing. Smart girl, trying to make a sale. That was fine by me.

"Alright, pick something and I’ll buy it."

"How much are you willing to spend on this ’sister’s gift’?" She was getting bold.

"No idea. I don’t know what this stuff costs," I said, starting to get annoyed.

"Well, it depends which girl over there you’re after."

What a clever little thing! She was straight up blackmailing me!

"Which one do you like?"

"Why does it matter?" I asked, confused.

"Because depending on who it is, your ’sister’s gift’ will cost more."

Seriously? This kid was really pushing it!

"Fine! It’s Ava," I admitted grumpily.

"Ooh, that’s going to be expensive!" She grinned. "You really like Ava, huh? If you’re willing to pay, I’ll tell you everything about her."

"What do you mean?" Now she had my attention, and I was starting to like this kid.

"Is money no object, Don Juan?" She got right to the point.

Looking at all the makeup, I thought about it. Well, these tiny things couldn’t cost that much. If this kid really knew stuff about Ava, it would be worth it.

"You’re not buying the whole store, are you?" She asked.

"So start telling me about Ava while you pick things out."

"Deal!" She held out her hand and I shook it.

"Come on, we have two hours until her lunch break."

Ninety minutes later, I was at the counter and had learned that Ava broke up with her boyfriend a month ago after catching him with another woman,the cashier at her store.

"What an idiot!"Talon growled.

"Time to pay up,Don Juan."

"I told you, it’s Joseph, Cabby," I said to the kid, whose name I now knew was Cabby, and gave her my card.

"I’m still calling you Don Juan." She ran my card and handed it back with a smile. "Thanks for making my month!"

I smiled and put in my PIN. She hadn’t picked that much stuff really, just filled one case with products. I thought she’d try to sell me more, but she kept it to one case. And she told me lots about my goddess. Not bad.

My phone buzzed with the payment alert, and I said quietly,

"Cabby, I think you got the amount wrong."

"Let me check." She looked at the receipt and card slip, then smiled sweetly. "Nope, Don Juan, that’s right."

"What?" I almost fell over! This kid just made me spend nearly thirty thousand on makeup. "Are you serious? This stuff costs that much?"

"Watch your language!" She teased. "Here’s a life lesson, Don Juan,women are expensive! So yes, good makeup costs a lot. I picked everything Ava would love, including her favorite perfume. But don’t give it to her right away, she won’t take it. Wait until you’re dating."

I was shocked! This kid wasn’t even eighteen but she was smart as a fox. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. Maybe I should hire her.

"Now go, she’s getting ready to leave. Give me your card and I’ll have this delivered to your office so she won’t see you with it." This kid was too clever.

"Cabby, call me if you want a job at my company." I gave her my card and left.

I walked while looking at my phone and bumped into my goddess "by accident." Her scent hit me, making Talon happy.

"Sorry about that! Wasn’t watching where I was going!" I gave her my best smile.

"It’s fine. Here to see your nephew again?"

"Just getting him a video game his mom won’t buy him."

"So you’re that kind of uncle, spoiling your nephew." She smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Something like that. Are you on break?"

"Yeah, getting coffee."

"Can I join you?" She looked at me carefully with those beautiful hazel eyes.

"Okay, but I only have twenty minutes."

I wanted to make those twenty minutes so good she’d give me her number. But she didn’t. I spent the whole week at that mall like a lovesick wolf, following Ava’s amazing scent.

Thursday finally brought our dinner together. I helped with Eleanor’s plan to get Ryan and Caroline to make up at the food court, but only if they invited Ava too. After we all "ran into" each other and Ryan apologized to Caroline, Ava finally gave me her number.

I moved fast. Friday, I offered to drive her home after work, and she said yes. Before she got out, I held her hand, feeling the spark between us. Talon loved it.

"Since you’re coming out with us tomorrow..." I started.

"I only said yes because the girls invited me and we’re friends now." She was serious.

"Aren’t we becoming friends too?" I asked innocently.

"Yeah, we are."

"Then let me give you something, as a friend."

I got the bags with the dress and sandals from the back and put them in her lap. She knew what they were and looked ready to kill me.

"I’m not taking these, Joseph. I know what you’re doing!"

"It’s just a gift, Ava. Like what I got Eleanor and Caroline. This dress would look perfect on you, and you deserve it. I’ll be honest,I bought it for you because it’s perfect." Talon agreed, already picturing how beautiful she’d look.

"Joseph, I can’t take this."

"Why not?" I didn’t let her answer. "Come on, Ava. Wear it tomorrow. Please! You’ll all look amazing!" I gave her my best puppy eyes, letting Talon’s begging show through.

"You’re not going to quit, are you?" I shook my head no.

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Okay, I’ll take a gift from a friend." She really stressed the word ’friend’.

"But don’t think you’re getting me out of this dress tomorrow!"

Maybe not tomorrow, but someday, I thought, grinning as Talon howled happily inside.

She thanked me and kissed my cheek goodbye, leaving her sweet scent on my skin. As she got out and shut the door, I called out,"I’ll get you at eight tomorrow."

I drove away before she could say no. In my mirror, I saw her smiling and shaking her head.

Tomorrow night at the bar would be perfect, not just for winning over Ava, but also for helping Draven get back with Caroline.