Page 28 of Her Arranged Alpha
"Joshua?"
He smiled, and I walked closer to him, unable to help my excitement. "Wow, I haven't seen you in almost two years? This is where you landed?"
Joshua used to work at my sister's flower shop. But he had gotten married and told my sister he was moving to his wife's place. I never got to ask where he was headed before he was gone.
"Jillian! Wow, I haven't seen you in a while. Look at you. You've got bags galore and that outfit. Is that from Olivia's shop?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Jesus, I didn't realize you lived here. How have you been?"
He smiled proudly. "I'm good. We've been married for two years now, and we have twin boys who take up our entire lives. I own this flower shop, so I'd say I did well for myself."
I couldn't help but smile. "Wow, sounds like this worked out for you. Congratulations."
He nodded. "And how have you been?"
My smile slipped a little. "Uhhmmm…. I'm okay. I'm actually married to Maddox now."
His eyebrows went up. "You're the wife!? Wow, that's a…uhmmm...wow." He seemed at a loss for words, and I felt a tug deep in my chest. What was going through his head? What did he know?
"You made a face. Can I ask why?"
Joshua gave me a sympathetic look. "Just that you're the talk of the town."
I frowned. "Of course I am. What are people saying?"
Joshua rubbed at the back of his neck. "Well…some of it's good and some of it's not… like the fact you tried to kill Frank and Nina."
I suddenly felt like I was suffocating. I chewed on my cheek, just wishing to leave.
Joshua noticed and quickly waved his hands. "I don't believe any of it. I worked with you, and I knew if you had really wanted to kill someone, you would have killed me the year I didn't let you guys know the fridge for the flowers stopped working."
I couldn't help but smirk, thinking back to that day. Lord, were Marsha and I pissed at him.
"Thanks, that means a lot."
He leaned onto the counter. "So, I'm going to take it you went out on a shopping spree and were trying to get the lay of the land?"
I nodded, walking closer and setting my bags down. "I am, and might I add, I've gotten a lot of looks today."
Joshua nodded. "Yeah, well…I think that's anywhere you go." Joshua tilted his head. "But seriously, how have you been?"
I felt like every time someone asked me that, I needed to put up a front. No one really wanted to know the truth. Everyone wanted to hear how I was feeling.
"I'm okay."
He nodded. "So, what do you think of the town?"
"It's very popular. I'm actually having lunch with Olivia later."
He smiled. "Really? Well, she's a nice gal. You guys will get along."
There was the sound of a phone ringing, and Joshua pushed off the counter. "I'll be right back." He turned and walked away and around a small corner towards the back. I took a deep breath and decided to walk around, taking in the space. The shop was beautiful, filled with lush plants and thoughtfully curated artwork. Soft music played, and with the large windows, the shop was filled with light.
I heard the door open and looked over my shoulder, spotting two women walking in. They were both wearing pant suits with flashy purses. I could tell they had higher taste and wouldn't be someone I would be having lunch with anytime soon.
They both spotted me, and their faces fell. I chewed on my cheek as they walked with their noses high to the counter. They stopped next to my bags before ringing the bell.
"He's on the phone," I stated, giving them a tight smile.
