“So, Uncle J, you need my advice on women now?”
“Don’t get cocky,” I warned, but couldn’t help smiling. “I just need a different perspective.”
I showed him my phone. “I got her number, sent her the lawyer’s info, but she won’t respond to anything else.”
Antonio scrolled through the pitiful one-sided conversation. “Wow, she’s really not into you.”
“Thanks for the confidence boost.”
“What do you actually know about her?” he asked.
I hesitated. “Her name is Ava Flynn. She’s gorgeous.”
“That’s it?” Antonio looked unimpressed. “No wonder you’re failing.”
“What do you suggest, relationship guru?”
He grinned and grabbed my phone. “Social media stalking, obviously. What are her handles?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“Amateur,” he muttered, typing rapidly. “Let’s try searching by phone number first.”
After a few minutes of searching across platforms, Antonio let out a triumphant “Got her!”
I leaned forward eagerly as he turned the phone to show me Ava’s profile.
It wasn’t very active, but there were enough photos to make my heart race. Ava at a coffee shop, Ava hiking with friends, Ava smiling behind the counter of “Grace’s Closet” in the downtown mall.
“She works at Grace’s Closet,” I said.
“Uncle J, you’re not planning to stalk her at work, are you?” Antonio asked.
“Of course not,” I said, though the idea had already crossed my mind.
Just then, Eleanor walked into my office.
“Hey, Joseph, I need those-” She stopped, eyes narrowing as she spotted us huddled over my phone. “What are you two doing?”
“Nothing,” we answered simultaneously.
Eleanor moved closer, peering over Antonio’s shoulder.
Her eyes widened in recognition.
“So you’re going to harass that pretty salesgirl?” she accused.
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.”
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