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."

her lip to hold back

tone softened as he suggested, "Let's head back. You could help me figure out where to place the

anxious, Candice asked, "I'll be going to your

out where to place them. After that, I'll drive you straight

lowering her head to hide

Candice wrestled with the urge to ask about Elio's thoughts when they 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

by the time they reached Hillside Villa. The truck delivering the plants arrived just as they

under Candice's direction. Once everything was in place, the workers

looked like a cozy

filling his heart as he admired Candice's handiwork, His emotions were plain to see, reflected in

She turned to Elo and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Elio. I might

love it. It looks great," Elio responded with a

smile at his praise. "Really? You truly love

table, he added, "Dinner's ready. How about we eat together before you