Chapter 253

Ava's POV I couldn't stop thinking about that encounter with Joseph Garcia during my lunch break. When our hands touched during that brief handshake, something strange had happened. An unexpected jolt sent tingles up my arm. The memory of it still lingered hours later as I finished my shift at the boutique. Was I actually attracted to him? The thought was both alarming and annoying. Sure, he was handsome with those piercing eyes and confident smile. But he was also clearly an Alpha with an ego the size of Harbor Bay. "Earth to Ava!" Nina waved her hand in front of my face. "You've been folding that same sweater for like five minutes. What's going on in that head of yours?" I blinked. I was embarrassed at being caught daydreaming. "Sorry. Just tired." "Uh-huh." Nina raised an eyebrow. She wasn't convinced. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that hot guy who was trying to get your number earlier, would it?" "What? No! Of course not." "Your face says otherwise," she teased. She nudge