Page 27 of Mocha Kisses

Nova runs his tongue along his upper teeth beneath his lip, eyes flashing with purpose. “She’s here for two weeks and I’ll do everything in my damn power to make sure nothing happens.”

“And when something does? Because you know it absolutely will.”

“Then I’ll make sure it doesn’t fucking happen again. You see something, you call me.”

My brows raise and I lean forward, not that anyone is in here. “No cops?”

“That’s the one thing I did find, Rome. Luna briefly mentioned it and it seems that there’s only one crediting agency that runs their fucking business that way. Infiltrates all facets of life so that they can ensure a loan is paid back. Uses illegal contracts to guarantee a payout and tacks on unbelievable interest so that it becomes a revolving door of money. The weird part is that they don’t usually do contracts with people they don’t know everything about and the only thing I can find on Luna’s father is a fucking picture.”

My heart drops into my stomach at what Nova is insinuating. Paula’s Agency is the only one that operates like that and the only one that has ever somehow crossed the line into our territory, hiring us occasionally to track someone down who owes them money. We don’t ask questions, it’s the nature of the job, but I always do my homework to the best of my ability.

However, this means that there’s a possibility that someone I know was after Luna’s father. After her.

I swallow and meet Nova’s gaze, realizing what this means. Against every rule in the book, I slide my phone out and flip to the picture before handing the device to Nova. Jobs are for employer and employee but I could use Nova’s insight. “Please tell me you don’t know this man.”

“Then I would be lying.”

“Fuck.”

“That’s John Williamson. Luna’s father. Why?”

“Because moments before you walked in, my brother called and said that I’m supposed to watch out for him. That the merchandise is close by. Nova, they know Luna is in Spring Haven. Somehow they’re one fucking step ahead of her.” No doubt Nova can hear the desperation in my voice. I’ve lost too much over the years to lose someone else—whether it’s Griffin, Nova, or Luna.

“You keep an eye out for him and I’ll make sure that Luna is safe. There will be an ending to all this.”

“Not a happy one?” I press.

“I won’t promise that. I can promise you that John Williamson will pay for every last one of his crimes and all the hurt that he’s caused his daughter.”

“If I was a better man, Nova, I’d tell you that whatever path you’re about to take is the wrong one. However, as long as I get a few hits in, carry on soldier.”

He snorts and pushes away from the counter but not before stealing one of the mini bagels on the display plate. “Glad you’re not a better man, Rome. Thank god for small miracles.”

Luna

Stomachfullforthefirst time in a while, I’m curled back into the scratchy couch cushions, reading all about Noah and his swoon-worthy men. Griffin has the bones of a beautiful story and I understand why he wasn’t able to put his heart and soul into it like he has his other books. He’s tinkering with something in the kitchen—he promised he wasn’t cooking—so, I’m just fingering the manuscript pages.

I’ve been at this for what seems like hours, having already read through the manuscript once, and the fact that the light in this open floor plan has dimmed, I know that I’m right.Must be nearly dinner time already.

My vision blurs slightly and I sit up straight, looking around for my bag. It’s still where I left it and yet, I need it closer. Something feels… off.

“Hey, Luna, you ready to go home?”

I twist around to see Griffin inches from the couch, his hands perched on the back. His head is tilted to the side, watching for my reaction. I nearly forgot how well he knows me and that six years hasn’t changed much.

“What?” I finally push out when I find my voice.

“You’ve looked at your bag six times in the last fifteen minutes and you keep shifting. I know when you’re all peopled out, Luna.”

My nose scrunches up as I clutch his manuscript to my chest. I want to argue with him but that would mean spending however much longer in a space that doesn’t have four walls and a door with no one else in it. I hate that I feel this way, that even with the love of my life inches from me, I still need time alone. “Griffin-”

“Hey,no.” He reaches forward, sliding one hand to cup my cheek. “Luna, I’m not mad at you or disappointed. You’ve always needed your space. That hasn’t changed and for someone who’s been on their own for six years? I can’t imagine what dealing with everyone in Spring Haven all over again has done. Come on, let me get you to your room. I assume you’re staying at Ms. Elrod’s bed and breakfast, right?”

“Why are you so understanding?”

“Because I love you. I’minlove with you.” Griffin grins and then presses a light kiss to the tip of my nose. “If you keep stalling, you’ll have to deal with Nova and Rome and I assure you that this little… sharing arrangement will be a popular topic of conversation.” He knows how to get me off the couch because that’s not what I want to talk about right now, or ever really.

Nova and Rome’s ‘permission’ given earlier was strange but to have to sit down and talk about it while all three of them are looking at me? No thanks.

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