Page 29 of Mocha Kisses

The fact that he’s standing behind Ms. Elrod’s place makes it worse.

No need to worry. He’s just a weirdo. He’s not even in a suit.

The man looks like he could use a shower or two. Spring Haven always has a few weirdos so I pull down the shade and return to the bed. This time, however, I’m on high alert. There will be no sleeping tonight. I’ll distract myself with Griffin’s manuscript and that piss water downstairs.

An idea of walking over to Rome’s café flits through my mind but I shake my head. I don’t want to worry them. I’m just a little strung out. That’s all this is.

When my phone rings, I jump off the bed, my fists at the ready, my heart in my throat. The scare undoes the pleasure and relaxation Griffin just gave me. “Fucking hell!” I cry, searching through my backpack for the culprit. “What?”

“Luna baby, you good?”

“Yeah, I guess.” I place a hand over my heart, trying to slow my breathing. One of these days I’m going to give myself a heart attack. Another creak by the window draws me back over but the man is gone. Well, that’s not fucking creepy.

“How’s Spring Haven?”

I can sense Max is searching for clues but he won’t be prying them for me. Yana has a knack for listening in and somehow twisting them into whatever PR nightmare she can. “Fine, lots of nostalgia. I met Griffin and his manuscript… needs work.”

Max bursts out laughing. “You’ve gotten further in one day than most of the editors I’ve sent out there in a week.”

A sigh tumbles from my lips as I wander downstairs, thankful that Ms. Elrod isn’t manning the door. It seems everyone has retired for dinner while I force-feed myself coffee from hell. It isn’t that bad and it’s better than some things I’ve drank but nowhere near Rome’s. “You paid me to do a job, Max. I don’t know why you’re surprised.”

“And we both know that I sent you down there for more than that. You were looking a little rough around the edges and I thought some nostalgia would help. You could have said no.”

I know I could have but there was no reason to. I came for closure and found way more than I bargained for. I’m still not giving Max all that information. He doesn’t need to know I’ve somehow caught three men’s attention. “His story is really good. We’ll have it fixed up in no time.”

“Uh-huh, you keep deflecting.”

“Because I don’t want to talk about it. Max, I’ve settled in. I’ve eaten and now it’s time for dinner and more reading. Anything else?”

“Nope.”

I narrow my gaze as I pour myself a cup of coffee and then think better of it. Ms. Elrod won’t miss the pot. I already checked and only one or two other people are staying here. I grab the entire pot and march back up the stairs. “Max, you wouldn’t call if there was nothing to tell me. You don’t normally just check up on me. So…”

“Yana is on her way.”

“What the fuck for?”

“Why else? To create some PR nightmare. Just… make sure Griffin is on his best behavior. She always seems to catch him at the wrong moment and then spin the shit out of it. Sells books but fuck, that has to take a toll on a guy.”

I snort. “And you let it happen.”

“Griffin hasn’t once truly complained.”

That doesn’t surprise me. Griffin is really agreeable so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. However, Yana showing up in Spring Haven sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. “When is she coming?”

“Next week.”

“Thanks for the heads up.” I hang up and chug the cup I brought with me before stepping back into my room. Tonight will be a long one. Between the underlying panic and Yana’s upcoming visit, there will be no sleep. Not that I usually sleep.

Moving a few of the pillows into the corner on the other side of the bed from the window, I stuff myself in the corner so that I have a perfect view point of the room. My backpack is at my feet, the coffee pot on one side and my cup on the other, the manuscript in my lap.

Perfect.

Chapter Fifteen.

I woke up with Declan’s cock pressed against the seam of my ass and a faceful of Logan who pressed a kiss to the bridge of my nose.

“Well,” I murmured to myself. “That’s one hell of a way to start a chapter.”

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