Page 63 of Capitally Engaged

I looked at him skeptically, but went over to the couch and retrieved my phone, anyway. Messages and notifications filledthe screen, but I ignored those and navigated to the browser I kept open on my sales ranks. My eyes widened as I took in the high rankings for many of my titles. Hands shaking, I looked at the sales info page. My eyes filled with tears for the second time this morning when I saw the order number on the page, climbing with each refresh. How was this possible?

My eyes met Preston’s, holding so many questions. He beamed at me. “I have a sneaking suspicion, that will probably never be confirmed, that the senator is rooting for us. Who knew he was such a sap behind that asshole facade?”

“They usually are. Obviously, you need to read more of my books,” I murmured, taking a glance at my inbox. Messages requesting interviews, offering services, and representation filled the screen. This would take days to sort through.

“I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“This is a perfect example of how, with the right spin, some scenarios that seemed so dire in one light can look completely different in another.”

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I looked down to see Laurel’s name appear on the screen. I opened her message.

Laurel

Since both you and Brandt decided to not show for work today, it fell to me to write a statement for the senator to put out around this bullshit romance author hullabaloo.

I think I might have a future in it. Maybe I’ll apply for the vacancy when you quit to chase this author career of yours full time.

From the office of Senator Mitchell Marsden:While this office does not comment on the personal lives of its staff members, it does comment when the patriarchy is being upheldto unreasonable standards. When someone chooses to write, in their free time, about the consensual owning by fictional characters of their sexuality, they take back the power of those who identify with those characters little by little. This office is appalled that a member of the press would engage in a smear campaign about the alleged activities of a staff member in their personal life, and suggests that outlet get a life and engage in some real reporting for a change.

I laughed wetly, showing Preston the screen.

“She’s not wrong. She does have the senator’s voice down pat. Maybe I should stop trying to censor him so much,” he mused.

“I know he said I’d have a place on his staff for as long as I wanted it, but I have to admit, I didn’t believe it. I’ve been kicked out on my ass for far less.”

“He’s a man of his word. And also, he wasn’t kidding about gunning for that romance reader vote. He’ll take gaining any population he can get.”

I laughed again before sighing.

“Well, I guess I have a decision to make,” I said, tapping the back of my phone as I glanced around the room before my eyes landed on Preston’s.

“Not that I am trying to influence your decision, but I think you should go public.”

I waved my hand. “Oh yeah, that’s definitely going to happen. I should probably hire a publicist with my new royalty spike to help, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“What decision then?”

My phone rang before I could answer him, with Michelle calling this time.

“Hi, Michelle.”

“Hey, Jax. Just got finished with prepping everything for tomorrow. How are you holding up? Preston find his way there yet?”

“He’s actually standing here right now,” I said. Had everyone expected he would come chasing after me? I was the only one too scared to trust in what we had?

“Figured. Well, I’m on my way back now, just need to stop at the drugstore to grab something really quick. So you know, if you’re going to have sex on my couch, make it a quickie.”

“We are not going to have sex on your couch, Mich.” Preston’s eyes widened and then looked at me with interest. I smacked him gently on the arm.

“Whatever you say. You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you need, but make sure he knows that my moving your boxes was a onetime thing. He’s got to get you out of there without my help.”

I laughed, fully believing she would sit on the couch and watch us carrying things before lifting another finger.

“I’ll be sure he knows. See you soon.”

“Toodles.”

He looked at me quizzically.

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