CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259 SMALL WORLD

Ava’s POV

I was arranging a display of summer dresses when I heard familiar voices behind me. Turning around, I saw Eleanor and Caroline walking into Grace’s Closet, deep in conversation.

"Ava!" Eleanor waved excitedly. "Just the fashion expert we need."

"Hey ladies," I smiled, genuinely happy to see them. Though our friendship was relatively new, something about Eleanor’s warmth and Caroline’s quiet strength made me feel comfortable around them. "Shopping for something special?"

Caroline brushed her honey-blonde hair behind her ear. "Eleanor thinks I need a wardrobe upgrade for... reasons."

"Not just any reasons," Eleanor said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We need something that will make a certain Alpha regret every life choice he’s ever made."

I laughed, leading them toward our newest collection. "Let me guess, revenge dressing? That’s my specialty."

As I pulled dresses in Caroline’s size, I couldn’t help commenting, "These Alpha males can be impossible, can’t they? All that power and authority makes them think they can toy with people’s feelings."

"You have no idea," Eleanor sighed. "They’re the worst combination of arrogant and alluring. Just when you think they’re different, they pull some high-handed dominance move."

"Speaking from experience?" I asked, handing Caroline a blue dress that would complement her eyes perfectly.

"Let’s just say I’ve learned to be cautious," Eleanor replied. "You should too, Ava. Don’t let those charming Alpha smiles fool you. They’re trained from birth to take what they want."

Caroline disappeared into the fitting room with an armful of outfits while Eleanor and I waited outside.

I said quietly. "What exactly happened?"

Eleanor glanced toward the fitting room to make sure Caroline couldn’t hear. "Some Alpha didn’t trust her, called her a traitor, fired her, and threatened to blacklist her throughout Harbor Bay."

My eyes widened. "That’s horrible!"

"The worst part is, she really cares for him. " Eleanor shook her head. "Alphas think they can just—"

The fitting room door swung open, and Caroline stepped out in the blue dress. It hugged her curves perfectly, making her look both elegant and irresistible.

"Wow," Eleanor and I said in unison.

"Turn around," I instructed, and Caroline did a slow spin.

"Is it too much?" she asked uncertainly.

"It’s perfect," I assured her. "Any man would—"

"Regret losing you for the rest of his miserable life," a deep male voice finished my sentence.

My entire body tensed at the sound. That voice. Rich, smooth, with just a hint of arrogance. A scent hit me next—cedar and spice with something wild underneath. My knees nearly buckled as I turned to face the newcomer.

Joseph Garcia stood there, all six-foot-something of pure Alpha male wrapped in an expensive charcoal suit that did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and powerful build. His eyes were fixed on Caroline, but as I watched, they shifted to me, and the full force of his attention made my skin tingle.

Caroline looked mortified. "Joseph! I didn’t know you were... I mean..."

"Don’t stop on my account," he said with a grin. "You look stunning, Caroline. My newest employee deserves to shine."

Eleanor stepped forward. "What are you doing here, Joseph? Stalking your employees on their day off?"

Joseph’s smile didn’t falter. "Happy coincidence. I’m meeting Antonio for lunch." His eyes slid back to me. "Though I think fate might have had other plans for me today."

My cheeks burned as I remembered my earlier comments about Alpha males. Had he heard me? The way his eyes twinkled with amusement suggested he might have.

"You two have met before?" Caroline asked, looking between us with interest.

Eleanor laughed. "Ava, meet Joseph Garcia, CEO of Puma Global and Alpha of the Nightbane Pack. Joseph, this is Ava Flynn, our new friend and shopping guru."

Joseph extended his hand. "We’ve met a few times, though not properly introduced. It’s nice to finally make it official."

His hand enveloped mine, warm and strong. Electricity shot up my arm at the contact, and I had to fight the urge to pull away—or worse, step closer.

"Interesting," I said, withdrawing my hand. "I don’t recall making such an impression."

"You wouldn’t," he replied, his voice dropping lower. "But turning down my dinner invitation definitely stung."

Caroline’s eyebrows shot up. "So you do know each other."

"His nephew has been playing matchmaker," I explained, feeling trapped under Joseph’s intense gaze. "Apparently, the great Alpha Joseph doesn’t handle refusal well."

Instead of being offended, Joseph laughed.

"She’s got me there," he admitted. "I’m not used to beautiful women turning me down."

"Maybe you should get used to it," I suggested.

Caroline cleared her throat. "I’ll, um, try the red one next?"

Joseph didn’t even look at her. "Perfect. And Ava should try something too."

My eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"Well, Ava, you have great taste," he said, his eyes moving over me. "If you were picking an evening dress from here for yourself, which one would you choose?"

"Are you buying a gift for your girlfriend?" I asked innocently.

"Sweetheart, I don’t have a girlfriend. But I’d love to give a gift to a friend." He smiled back, that breathtaking grin of his.

I went to get a dress, one I’d been eyeing in the store for ages. It was gorgeous and expensive, of course. A gold sequined mini dress, wrap style with a deep V-neck and thin straps that crossed in the back. Incredibly sexy. I also grabbed a pair of gold sandals with Swarovski crystals. When I showed him the dress, I saw his eyes light up.

"Could you try it on? That way I can see how it would look on my friend," he asked. I knew exactly what he was up to.

Customers sometimes ask us to try things on, usually for wives, girlfriends, or daughters. I usually agree since it’s part of the job. But I wasn’t about to let this charming Alpha get his way so easily.

"Sorry, sir, I can’t. But if she’s my size, it’ll be perfect on her. I guarantee it!" I answered as politely as possible.

"Fine, I’ll take it," he said, surprising me. "I’m also getting dresses and shoes for both of them. Don’t blame me, I’m the boss! It’s just kindness because you’re all excellent employees, and Caroline helped me close a great deal with Thorne Enterprises."

Despite my wariness about his motives, I had to admit his generosity was impressive. He handed me a business card, gave me that charming smile, then said to the two women, "We should find a nice place where you can wear these beautiful clothes and show them off."

The girls handed me their things, and I went to the register. This sale was amazing for me. I’d get a solid commission. I grudgingly packed everything up, still unsure what to make of this overly generous Alpha. I liked serving Eleanor and Caroline, though. They were friendly and gorgeous.

After making the purchase, Joseph insisted on taking us all to lunch. "My new employee needs to feel welcomed, and I’m starving."

Eleanor said to me. "Ava, would you like to join us?"