The Wrong Woman

"Thank you," Rick said to Elio and Candice as they walked away. "I'll arrange for the delivery right away."

Elio led Candice outside to the quiet street of the garden center. He turned to face her with frustration in his eyes.

Candice's heart pounded as she sensed his irritation. She swallowed hard, staring at him.

With his frustration barely contained, Elio lowered his voice. "Candice, let me make this clear one last time. I'm Jasper's uncle, not yours. I have no familial connection to your parents. Do you understand?" Confused by his upset tone, Candice quickly apologized, "I'm sorry. I understand now. It won't happen again."

Elio sighed, his expression softening as he gazed at her, who stared back at him. For a moment, an unusual connection seemed to spark between them.

Summoning her courage, Candice asked, "Elio, are you and Josie truly not together?"

"No," Elio replied.

Candice's heart pounded as she continued, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No."

wave of joy surged through Candice, and she bit her lip to

softened as he suggested, "Let's head back. You could help me figure

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

simply figure out where to place them. After

head to hide a

slept together. However, she decided against it, finding the topic too awkward. She thought men and women were different, after all. Sometimes, loneliness and desire might lead a man to seek physical comfort from a woman with no

time they reached Hillside Villa. The truck delivering the

and carrying the plants inside under Candice's direction. Once

once cold, empty home now looked like a cozy

from the corner, gentle warmth filling his heart as he admired Candice's handiwork, His emotions were plain to see,

She turned to Elo and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Elio. I might have gone overboard with the plants. It feels a bit

I love it. It looks great," Elio responded

at his

a hum of acknowledgment. Then, gesturing toward the dining table, he added, "Dinner's ready. How

She was mostly concerned about the potential awkwardness of dining