“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.
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