CHAPTER 270: CHAPTER 270 FLOWER DELIVERY PLAN

Joseph’s POV

"So, Draven, what’s this brilliant idea that got me out of bed so early?" I asked. I tried not to yawn as I sat down in the leather chair at our usual café near Thorne Enterprises.

Draven looked excited. "Flowers, man. We’re sending huge arrangements to our women."

"Caroline still ignoring you?" I asked with a grin. I took a sip of my espresso.

"When things get bad, you gotta do something big," Ryan said. He was looking at his phone. "Ruby’s barely talking to me since that mess at The Social Club."

Nate nodded. "Eleanor keeps telling me how I embarrassed him in public. Like those guys weren’t all over them."

"At least Ava’s still talking to me," I said smugly.

"That’s only because you haven’t screwed up yet," Luke shot back. Everyone laughed.

We finished our coffee and went to Bloomfield’s. It was the only fancy flower shop that stayed open all night. The owner was a nice middle-aged woman. She showed us different arrangements on her tablet.

Ryan spotted this crazy arrangement in the corner. He pointed right at it. "That one! That’s what we need!"

It was huge. Pink flowers everywhere in a crystal vase. The thing was three feet wide. It looked like a floral explosion.

"Sir," the florist said nicely, "that’s our premium wedding centerpiece."

Ryan’s face lit up. "Perfect! Women get this stuff. Go big or go home, right?"

"I don’t know, man. This seems like too much," I said. Someone had to be reasonable here.

"As big as our feelings!" Ryan said dramatically. "Come on, Alpha Draven, you’re supposed to be the romantic guy."

"Fine," Draven said with a sigh. "I want red and white tulips for Caroline."

"Red roses for Ava," I decided. The florist showed me these long-stemmed ones from Ecuador. Deep red color that looked amazing.

"Red roses?" Ryan laughed. "How original. You getting her a teddy bear too?"

"Mock me all you want," I said back. "Classics work for a reason." I grabbed a card and wrote something quick. "Thinking of you is my favorite distraction." I gave it to the florist. She was clearly enjoying watching us.

"Whatever works for you," Ryan shrugged. "I’m getting pink peonies for Ruby."

"Purple hyacinths for Kyle," Luke said.

"Pink alstroemerias and lisianthus for Eleanor," Nate said confidently. We all just stared at him.

"Alstro-what?" we all asked at the same time.

"They’re Elle’s favorites," Nate said. He rolled his eyes. "You guys should actually listen when your women talk about stuff they like."

"Look at Mr. Perfect Prince," I teased. "But I’m writing that down. Might need it if I mess up with Ava."

The florist said she’d deliver everything by ten. We all went to our offices. I got there early and changed my afternoon schedule so I could have coffee with Ava at the mall. I texted Antonio to meet us there. I wanted him to meet Ava since he helped me send those cards that started all this.

Eleanor walked into the office and saw me already working. Her mouth dropped open.

"Joseph Garcia at work before nine?" she said. She put her hand on her heart like she was shocked. "Should I call a doctor?"

"Very funny," I said. I didn’t look up from my laptop. "Don’t mess with my schedule. I’m meeting Ava for coffee this afternoon."

"Oh?" Eleanor sat on the edge of my desk with a big grin. "How are things going with your girl?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Don’t act like Ava hasn’t told you everything already."

"I want to hear it from you," she said. "Are you actually falling for this girl like Ryan did with Ruby?"

I groaned. "Moon Goodness, don’t remind me. Ryan turned into a lovesick puppy. It’s embarrassing."

"I think it’s sweet."

"Sweet? Eleanor, come on. We run million dollar companies and manage wolf packs. Ryan’s acting like some teenager with his first crush."

"Better than acting like some playboy who just wants another hookup," Eleanor shot back. Her eyes got narrow.

"Look," I sighed. "Do I want to sleep with Ava? Hell yes. But it’s not just that."

"She’s all I think about. I’m moving board meetings just to have coffee with her. I haven’t even looked at another woman since I met her. It’s been weeks. And I haven’t even slept with her yet."

"Anyone would say you’re falling in love, Joseph," Eleanor said quietly.

That word hit me like cold water. "I don’t know about that. But she’s smart, funny, tough... and sexy as hell. She’s just different."

"Wow," Eleanor grinned. "You’re just as whipped as Ryan."

"Ryan is totally pathetic," I laughed. But part of me wondered if I was heading the same way.

We started working. Around ten, I heard Eleanor scream from the front desk. I went to check it out. She was standing next to this huge flower arrangement.

"Look at this!" she said. She was waving her hands around. "This is how you do it! Nate remembered my favorite flowers!"

"Yeah, Nate’s pretty special," I smiled. I looked at the massive thing. Maybe we went a little overboard. My phone rang and I ran back to my office. "Good morning, gorgeous."

"Good morning, handsome," Ava’s sexy voice came through. "I just got back from my run. I walked into what looks like an entire garden in my living room."

"Like it?" I asked. I was grinning like an idiot.

"They’re beautiful," she laughed. "But isn’t this a bit much?"

"I may have gotten carried away."

"I love them. Thank you, Joseph."

My chest felt warm with pride. "I cleared my afternoon to have coffee with you. And I want you to meet someone. Wait for me, okay?"

"Interesting. Who am I meeting?"

"You’ll find out this afternoon," I said, teasing her.

"Fine, keep your secrets. I need to shower now."

"I could FaceTime you and join that shower virtually," I said. My voice got lower.

"Nice try," she laughed. "You have work to do. See you later, handsome."

She hung up. I was smiling at my phone like a fool. That’s when Eleanor stormed into my office. She looked way less happy than before.

"Did you alphas buy out every flower shop in Harbor Bay?" she asked. Her hands were on her hips.

"Problem?"

"Don’t play dumb with me, Joseph!" Eleanor was practically growling. "When did you all plan this flower attack?"

"You don’t like the flowers?"

"I love alstroemerias and lisianthus. What I don’t like is being manipulated. And you’re corrupting Nate!"

"We had good intentions, Eleanor. We just wanted to surprise you all."

"You met this morning, didn’t you? Nate left super early."

"Yes, we met and sent the flowers. We meant well."

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions!" Eleanor made air quotes. "And red roses, Joseph? Seriously?"

"I’ll tell you what I told Ryan. Classics are classics for a reason." Eleanor rolled her eyes big time. "And they’re not just any roses. They’re long stem Ecuadorian roses."

"Long is going to be your suffering if you mess with Ava. Consider yourself warned!" Eleanor threatened. She spun around and marched back to the reception area.

"She’s terrifying."Dean said in my head.

"Tell me about it," I muttered. I went back to work while thinking about seeing Ava later.