Joseph’s POV
"So, Draven, what’s this brilliant idea that got 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 arrangents to our won."
"Caroline still ignoring you?" I asked with a grin. I took a sip of my espresso.
"When things get bad, you gotta do sothing big," Ryan said. He was looking at his phone. "Ruby’s barely talking to since that ss at The Social Club."
Nate nodded. "Eleanor keeps telling how I embarrassed him in public. Like those guys weren’t all over them."
"At least Ava’s still talking to ," 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 arrangents on her tablet.
Ryan spotted this crazy arrangent 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! Won get this stuff. Go big or go ho, right?"
"I don’t know, man. This seems like too much," I said. Soone had to be reasonable here.
"As big as our feelings!" Ryan said dramatically. "Co 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 these long-stemd ones from Ecuador. Deep red color that looked amazing.
"Red roses?" Ryan laughed. "How original. You getting her a teddy bear too?"
"Mock all you want," I said back. "Classics work for a reason." I grabbed a card and wrote sothing 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 alstroerias and lisianthus for Eleanor," Nate said confidently. We all just stared at him.
"Alstro-what?" we all asked at the sa ti.
"They’re Elle’s favorites," Nate said. He rolled his eyes. "You guys should actually listen when your won talk about stuff they like."
"Look at Mr. Perfect Prince," I teased. "But I’m writing that down. Might need it if I ss 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 et us there. I wanted him to et Ava since he helped send those cards that started all this.
Eleanor walked into the office and saw 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 ss with my schedule. I’m eting 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 . Ryan turned into a lovesick puppy. It’s embarrassing."
"I think it’s sweet."
"Sweet? Eleanor, co on. We run million dollar companies and manage wolf packs. Ryan’s acting like so teenager with his first crush."
"Better than acting like so 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 etings just to have coffee with her. I haven’t even looked at another woman since I t 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 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 wondered if I was heading the sa 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 arrangent.
"Look at this!" she said. She was waving her hands around. "This is how you do it! Nate rembered 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, handso," Ava’s sexy voice ca 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 et soone. Wait for , okay?"
"Interesting. Who am I eting?"
"You’ll find out this afternoon," I said, teasing her.
"Fine, keep your secrets. I need to shower now."
"I could FaceTi you and join that shower virtually," I said. My voice got lower.
"Nice try," she laughed. "You have work to do. See you later, handso."
She hung up. I was smiling at my phone like a fool. That’s when Eleanor stord 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 , Joseph!" Eleanor was practically growling. "When did you all plan this flower attack?"
"You don’t like the flowers?"
"I love alstroerias 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 t this morning, didn’t you? Nate left super early."
"Yes, we t and sent the flowers. We ant 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 ti. "And they’re not just any roses. They’re long stem Ecuadorian roses."
"Long is going to be your suffering if you ss 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 about it," I muttered. I went back to work while thinking about seeing Ava later.
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