Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Oliver lay sprawled in the same spot Josefina had once occupied, staring blankly at the ceiling above. His phone broke the silence with its insistent ringtone. He reached over, swiped the screen, and put it to his ear.

"Hey, Ollie, how's it hangin'? Must be tough, leaving the agency and getting back to the Baldwin clan's daily grind."

Oliver listened to the old man's voice, as detached and emotionless as ever. "What do you want?"

The old man's chuckle was warm and teasing. "You're still as frosty as a winter in Chicago, kiddo. I'm calling 'cause I wanna set you up. You seeing anyone? If not, I've got the perfect match for ya." Oliver's reply was curt. "I'm taken. No need to play Cupid."

The old man wasn't deterred. "Oh? And who's this girl? She can't hold a candle to my protégé. She's a real knockout, kind-hearted, and cute as a button. Nimble, smart as a whip, and the apple of her brothers' eyes. You sure you're not interested?"

"Not in the slightest."

tell you, skip out on this one, and you'll be

that-beautiful, kind, adorable, agile, brilliant, and talented. She's the darling of the Baldwin family and the queen of my heart." With that, Oliver hung up. The old man, fuming, slammed his hand on the table. "That little rascal! How dare he snub my protégé!" sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

office when her mentor's call came through. "Josie, I'm livid! I just got dissed.

a smile. "Who's gotten

not one of my protégés. It's Hellfire! I tried to set him up with

a cup of coffee, Josefina sighed. "I may be the best in your eyes, but that doesn't make me the best pick for everyone. Parents always think their kid's the bee's knees, but others might

know how to cheer

Besides, who says I'd even like

than him. I was just trying to bring some sunshine into his dreary life. I wouldn't

her mind drifting to Oliver's passionate kiss.

girl, you got a secret beau?

are you talking about? I'm at work. There's a lot to

Josie. Don't work too hard. I called to tell you your wayward apprentice