CHAPTER 256: CHAPTER 256 NOTES

Joseph’s POV

I straightened up. "You know Ava?"

Eleanor crossed her arms. "Yes, she’s the saleswoman with impeccable taste that Caroline and I mentioned. You’re really going to find her?"

"Possibly," I replied cautiously.

"Small world," Eleanor muttered. "She’s actually really nice and way too good for your usual games."

Antonio laughed. "She must be special. She won’t even text him back."

"Good for her," Eleanor approved. "Keep it that way, Joseph. She’s too good for another one of your conquests."

I felt an unexpected surge of irritation. "You don’t know what my intentions are."

Antonio looked between us, clearly enjoying the drama. "So what’s the plan, Uncle J? Going to give up?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Not a chance. I’ll make her notice me."

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that. Just don’t come crying to me when she shuts you down again."

As they bantered, I found myself more intrigued than ever.

I looked at my watch. It was still lunch hour.

I had made up my mind.

"Come on," I said as I grabbed my keys from my desk. "We’re going to the mall."

Antonio’s eyebrows went up. "The mall? I thought you hated malls."

"I changed my mind," I said with a shrug. I could feel Dean’s amusement inside me.

"This is pathetic," Dean said in my head.

"Shut up," I said quietly.

"What?" Antonio looked confused.

"Nothing. Just talking to Dean."

I explained my plan to Antonio as we drove. His response was what I expected.

"Let me get this straight," he laughed. "Instead of walking up to her like a normal person, you want to send her pickup lines on cards? Through me?"

"It’s called being creative," I said.

"It’s called being a coward," Antonio said back. "Just go in there and ask her to text you back."

I shook my head. "You don’t win over a woman like her the easy way."

"I thought you already had her number," Antonio said.

"I do, but she’s ignoring me," I said as I pulled into the parking lot.

We walked through the mall. I slowed down as we passed Grace’s Closet. My heart sank when I didn’t see Ava behind the counter.

"She’s not here," I said.

"Good, now we can go home," Antonio said.

"Not so fast." I pulled him into a stationery store and bought note cards and envelopes.

"This is ridiculous," Antonio said as I took him to the food court.

I looked around the area and stopped. "There she is."

Ava was sitting alone at a table. Her brown hair fell around her shoulders as she ate a salad.

"Still think you’re wasting your time," he added. "That woman looks like trouble."

"I’m counting on it," I said as I pulled out a pen.

We sat down at a table far away. I began writing on the first card.

"Give me the first one," Antonio said.

I handed it to him. He read it out loud. "[Temptations like you deserve sinners like me.] Seriously? That’s terrible!" He started laughing.

"Watch your mouth, kid. I’m still your Alpha," I said. "Now go give it to her."

Antonio rolled his eyes but took the card. He walked over to Ava’s table. I watched as he talked to her and handed her the note. Her eyes got narrow as she read it. I could see her jaw get tight.

Five minutes later, Antonio came back. He looked amused.

"This little service is going to cost you," he said. He handed me a folded piece of paper. "She thought the note was from a stalker. She almost called security."

I opened her response.[You should be ashamed of using your nephew for this. Have you no sense?]

"What did you tell her?" I asked. I was surprised she responded at all.

"I told her my uncle saw her and thought she was beautiful but was too shy to talk to her," Antonio said. "I had to say something. She was about to call security. Then they would call my mom. Then she would kill us both."

He had a point. Flora would murder me if she found out I was using her son for this.

"Smart thinking," I said. I wrote on another card. "Here, take this one."

Antonio read it and made a face. "[You’re my lack of common sense? ]Oh God, it just keeps getting worse."

He walked back to Ava’s table. This time, she didn’t look as angry. She actually smiled a little as she wrote back.

"[Sometimes we pay dearly for knowing how to read]," Antonio read when he returned. "At least she has a sense of humor."

I grinned. She had responded, which meant this was working. I wrote the next note quickly.

"[My mom told me to sleep with the angels, so you’ll have to sleep with me tonight,]" Antonio read. His face looked disgusted. "Seriously? This woman’s going to call the cops!"

"I’ll buy you that new gaming system you’ve been wanting," I said.

"This favor is worth way more than just a gaming system."

"If I score, you score, Antonio!"

"Fine," he said. "But you’re buying me the deluxe edition with all the extras."

Antonio returned looking surprised. "She didn’t slap me, so that’s something."

Her response said, "[I wish you a sleepless night full of memories of me.]"

Dean moved restlessly inside me. "She’s playing along. Interesting."

I wrote back quickly, [If I can’t sleep, I’ll make out with you in my mind.]

Antonio returned with, "[Moon Goddess, lead me not into temptation. Unless it’s worth it.]"

This was getting better. I wrote again. [Oh, it’s totally worth it! Don’t you think it’s better to reply to my texts? I’m too old to play hide and seek, just let me catch you already.]

Antonio came back laughing so hard he could barely speak. "She wrote. [Don’t play with fire if you’re not sure your bucket has enough water to put out the blaze]."

[Oh honey, I’ll show you my hose can put out your fire!] I wrote.

Antonio doubled over laughing.

My phone rang. Eleanor’s name appeared on the screen.

"Where the hell are you?" she said when I answered. "You have a meeting in fifteen minutes with the investors from Tokyo!"

"Shit," I said. "I’ll be right there."

I wrote one last note. [I won’t put out your fire, I’ll burn in it. By the way, I already have your number. I just want you to use it.]

"Seriously?" Antonio read it and shook his head.

"Just give it to her and meet me in the parking lot," I said. I was already walking to the exit.

As I waited in the car, Dean’s voice filled my head. "You realize you’re acting like a teenager with a crush, right?"

"I know," I said. "But something about her makes me feel different."

Antonio got into the passenger seat. He was holding a small piece of paper.

"What did she say?" I asked.

He handed me the note with a smile. In neat writing, it said. [Fine. One text. Make it count.]

I couldn’t help but smile.

"Don’t get too excited," Antonio said. "She also said if you send anything inappropriate, she’ll block your number forever."

"Got it," I said. I put the note in my pocket and started the engine.

As I drove back to the office, I felt good about this.

Step one: get her to respond. Complete.

Now for the hard part. Not messing it up.