Page 13 of Mocha Kisses

“Both of you went hella silent. I told her she has the day to get settled in and to meet with you tomorrow. Hello? Look, I promise she’s not like the others. Griffin, she went to the same school as you and I thought maybe y'all could reconnect. If it doesn’t work, we’ll figure something out but Yana will have my ass if we have to delay this book. Just meet her and then have Rome call me if things go south but I have a good feeling about her.”

Maximillian doesn’t let me get a word in before he hangs up, leaving me standing in the living room completely lost. Nova walked in a few moments ago but didn’t pay me any attention until Luna’s name came up. I can’t move, resigned to this spot as my thoughts go in a hundred different directions.

She’s alive.

Of course, she is. Why wouldn’t she be?

She’s safe.

She’shere.

Here.

“Babe, snap out of it.” Two firm hands yank me forward, fingers wrapped around my throat to drag me out of my head. “Fin,breathe.Now, tell me what Maximillian said.”

“You were right here.”

“And I wantyouto tell me what he said.” His thumbs move upwards, rubbing the front of my neck to calm me down. His blue eyes pierce mine, waiting for me to respond and when I don’t say anything, his fingers tighten.

“Fuck, Nova. He said Luna’s going to be my editor.Luna.She’s here, back in Spring Haven. With me. No, not with me. For me?” I try to pull away from him to deal with my thoughts but Nova doesn’t let me go. He can see me panicking and I love the fact that he’s not going to let me break down and deal with this alone. He remains silent and unmoving, the force of his aura drawing me closer to him rather than away. “She’s here, Nova.”

This time when I meet his gaze, there are tears in my eyes. He leans down and kisses me, soft and slow before pulling away. “She is. What do you want to do? She’s here as your editor, in an official capacity, and I need you to be prepared that the reunion you’re envisioning may not happen.”

“I-” I pause and frown. Now that she’s here, I have no idea what I want. Her rounded cheeks and gorgeous personality flit through my mind. I want to kiss her. Touch her. Hold her in my arms even if it’s one last time before she tells me that we can’t. I never got to say goodbye to her even if I want this to be another beginning. “I want everything, Nova.”

“And you deserve nothing less,” he purrs as he releases me fully. “Now, you write and I’ll finish dinner.”

My gaze narrows at him as he heads for the kitchen. I tilt my head to the side as I stare at his ass and the way his suit pants hug every curve and every muscle. When he reaches to roll up his sleeves, I playfully press a hand to my heart, swooning over my beautiful, selfless lawyer. I’d have fallen apart years ago without him and knowing that he’ll still be at my side tomorrow when everything most definitely goes south is a testament to how much he loves me.

Still, I can’t help how out of control I now feel. What do I say to her? Hello? Where have you been? Do I let her talk first?

My brows crease as I tap my bottom lip, wading through a series of questions, each one sounding worse than the last. I’m going to start spiraling in a minute and then I won’t be able to write for the rest of the night.

“Bring your computer over here, Fin.”

My head jolts up and I stare at Nova who has his arms banded across his chest, his gaze once again piercing through me. “What, why? I can work on the couch.” As much as I hate this 1960s piece of shit, it’s become something of a comfort to curl up in the corner pillows and write my day away. Or the night away in this case.

“So, I can make sure you’re actually working and so you can continue staring at my ass while I cook. Baked or sauteed, Fin?”

I blink a few times, registering all of his words. He always does this, saying things like that and then confusing me by immediately moving onto another topic. My body didn’t miss it though, my cock twitching in my pants at Nova’s offer. “Huh?” I push out before I comprehend the last part of his question.

Nova smirks, knowing exactly what he’s doing. “We’re having chicken for dinner. I’m asking if you want it baked or sauteed.”

“Sauteed.” I gather my computer and my notes and head for the barstools perched around the island.

“You just want to watch me work,” he chuckles. “You write a chapter and maybe I’ll let you help.”

A smile takes over my face at his promise. Despite the persona that my PR manager built for me, I love nothing more than spending time with Nova. Even the little things. Laundry, cooking, fuck—even cleaning up the office. He’s been my stronghold in ways I never knew I needed, my backbone, my safe place. Every time I broke down, he’s been right there to pick me back up.

Am I a little obsessed?

Maybe.

But who wouldn’t be with a man who selflessly gives me everything to ensure my happiness?

“Let me help with dinner and then I’ll write a chapter,” I offer, hoping and praying Nova will let me. Writer’s block is a bitch and staring at a blinking cursor on a white page will only serve to further frustrate me. Besides, I need something to distract me from tomorrow. Nova just shakes his head and waves me over, pointing to the onions that need to be chopped.

“Careful with the knife. I’m not explaining to your manager why you have to wear a bandaid to the press conference.”

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