Page 58 of Mocha Kisses

I grimace at the terrible joke, Nova pulling me off the floor and hauling me off to bed. I’m about to protest, wanting to continue whatever these shenanigans are but he just shakes his head. “As much as I want to devour the both of you with Rome on the other side, we’re drunk and I don’t want to push you too far.” The way he tucks me in with Griffin saddling up against my back is a testament to how much he loves me. I’m not sure I would engage in a foursome drunk, let alone sober so his worries are warranted.

Nova settles on the other side of Griffin as Rome takes up in front of me. It’s a tight fit but I snuggle in, sighing as they all mumble drunken I love yous and deal out sloppy kisses. Tomorrow, we’ll face the rest of the world. Today? It’s just us.

Just over 36 hours later, I’m standing in front of a mirror, stuffed into one of the most uncomfortable gowns I’ve ever had. And I’ve been through four proms and two college dances. The yellow iridescent dress puffs around my shoulders and then hugs my chest and hips before falling gracefully around my thighs. I hate it but Yana picked it out and it matches Griffin’s tie. We just had to match the cover of the book—one that neither of us have seen yet—and while I applaud the thought that goes into it, yellow isn’t really my color.

I steal a glance into the bedroom, smiling at how well Griffin cleans up. He clears his throat and fixes his tie for the umpteenth time, a slight panic reflecting in his expression. Not going outside often, a press release like this must be nerve-wracking.

“Hey,” I say as I step out of the bathroom and head to him. I stand behind him and smooth down his hair as I hold onto his shoulder. He visibly relaxes and sighs. “You’ll do great. I’ve watched some of your other events and you’re always so polished.”

“Because I’ve had time to prepare. A press release for a cover reveal? Do you realize how stupid that is? I’m going to be signing empty books. Do you also realize how weird it is that Yana hasn’t contacted us for anything more than the time and place we’re supposed to be today? She’s usually up my ass about everything. It has to be perfect. This? Not a peep.”

Griffin isn’t wrong but I don’t want him to see me panicking. We feed off each other’s emotions and neither of us needs that right now. However, Nova and Rome have been open about how they don’t think I’ve been followed by Paula’s Agency and that Yana is possibly part of the problem. Why else would she tell the creditors where I was? She’s odd but she isn’t that nasty. Rome has a terrible feeling about her and Nova doesn’t want her anywhere near us, which is why he’s told her that he’ll make sure we have transportation.

“We’ll figure this out.” I continue smoothing down his hair until the bedroom door opens and Nova is leaning outside. He’s just as gorgeous as Griffin, the pressed black suit bringing out the vibrant blue of his irises. He moves closer to the floor-length mirror, standing beside me as we stare at Griffin through the reflection. “Beautiful, isn’t he?”

“You both are and while I’d love to be fashionably late, I’m sure Yana will use that to spin something else.” He presses a soft kiss to Griffin’s cheek and then does the same for me before taking Griffin’s hand and leading him into the living room. I follow after them grabbing a pair of black flats that Rome brought home after I vetoed the stilettos Yana wanted me to wear. I haven’t worn anything like that in six years and I’m not about to start now.

Rome throws his arms out and I fall into them, loving the fresh smell of his aftershave and musk that is wholly him. “How you doing with all this, sweetheart?”

“Griffin is the one freaking out,” I mutter, looking over to where Griffin’s hand is engulfed in Nova’s. They’re standing by the door waiting for us and I shimmy from Rome’s hold. Rome doesn’t let the question go, though, holding onto my wrist. “I’m fine. I promise.”

“And that’s why your bag is by the front door? Luna,-”

“I’m not running. I’m not. It just has Griffin’s manuscript in it so I can read his changes in the car. I promise!” I run over there and bring it back, holding it up to him. My toiletries are spread all over Griffin’s sink, the few clothes I own are hung up in his closet, and anything else is in the nightstand drawer. All that’s in this bag is paper, a few pens, and a charger. Rome sighs and nods and I hate that I made him worry. “Come on, let’s go.”

Ever so slowly, he pulls me into his chest, rocking me back and forth. “I shouldn’t have assumed, sweetheart. That’s on me. It’s just the more time I spend with you, the more I’m afraid to lose you. The few moments you weren’t here, with us, showed me a world I don’t want to live in.” My heart melts at his words as I pull away just enough to kiss him. Then I squeeze his hand to give him a little more assurance before heading for the door.

We pile into a car that smells like new leather, a black Cadillac that doesn’t fit any of their vibes. I slide in beside Griffin, the other two in the front. I lean into his side as he wraps an arm around me, all of us a little on edge as we head for a location in Red Brook. Rome deals out coffees and muffins but I’m more interested in where we’re headed and what the agenda is.

“Good news or bad news, Luna?” Rome asks from the front seat. I frown and look over the console, catching Nova’s hands gripped tightly around the steering wheel and Rome twisting around to look at me. I don’t like the question so I stay silent. That doesn’t keep him from telling me. “Bad news, you’re in the news! Griffin’s secret wife. Seems like you’re famous. Good news, they’re all saying you’re super cute or they understand why Griffin hasn’t had a real girlfriend.”

“How do they know that?” I reach across the console and steal his phone, grimacing when one of the top search results on X is Griffin Solace’s wife. The one right under it isRisky Tasteby Griffin Solace. The PR tactic is working but I fucking hate it. “My face is everywhere.” Griffin tugs me closer as I realize that neither of the news Rome gave me is the true bad news. It’s the fact that I’m now tied to Griffin Solace and everyone in the world knows where I’ll be for the next week.

Paula’s Agency will know and so will that third party who’s been antagonizing me for who knows how long. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. But, so far there’s been no link to the creditors and your name so we’re safe for a few more days at least."

That’s not something I’ve thought about. And it irks me how well-planned this nightmare is. My marriage to Griffin will drum up interest in his book. When and not if people find out about my money issues, I will be destroyed in the media. Sympathy will side with Griffin as I’m called a gold digger and every harsh name under the sun. Once again, he’ll sell more books. The question is what Yana truly has against me. She’s used other editors before but never to the point of demolishing their careers.

I’m about to ask just how far this goes when my phone buzzes in my backpack. I swear Yana is actively watching us. “Hello, Luna. I hope you’re on your way. You can pull up to the front and hand the keys to the valet. There will be lots of cameras, smile and keep walking until you get inside the venue. I’ll be there for everything else. Griffin knows the score and to show you around. Just be a good little piece at his side, don’t steal his thunder, and everything goes smoothly.” She hangs up without giving me a chance to speak but that just further perpetuates the notion that she’s part of this mess somehow.

“We’ll be fine. The one good piece of advice is to stay next to Griffin or one of us at all times.” Nova meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. “Griffin stands around, takes some pictures, shakes some hands, and then we leave after refreshments are served. He might be touted as a tatted bad boy but there’s also a mysteriousness to that personality which is why it works. Wanting to keep his wife out of the limelight will serve us well.”

“So, I’m just a trophy wife? Do I at least get money for shopping?” I’m not looking for an answer. It’s supposed to be a joke but the sudden concern in their expressions tells me that if I wanted to go shopping, they would be right there helping me pick out clothes. An odd ask from three boyfriends, lovers—whatever I’m supposed to call them—but a nice thought to keep in mind. “I’mjoking,” I finally say and they all relax before I scrunch up my nose and sit back in my seat again, content to scroll through all the fake press Yana has created.

No wonder she hasn’t had time to speak with us. She’s even found pictures from middle school and doctored our wedding. Maybe I should send her the wedding from last night. I snort and Griffin is obviously thinking the same thing, grabbing my free hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss. I snuggle in closer as we grumble and giggle about the news to fight off our anxiety.

Someone thinks I got knocked up.

Another person is asking for a free book because we went to school together.

I keep scrolling and see a number, my heart falling into my stomach.$840,536.Griffin steals the phone from me and then thrusts it at Rome. “What was that about having a few days before someone made the fucking connection?”

Luna

Theflashingcamerasaswe step onto the red carpet are annoyingly bright and I fight the urge to hold up my hand to block them. My hand is tightly wound in Griffin’s, both of us uncomfortable as we’re scrutinized in the public eye. People are shouting questions as we move to the door, Rome and Nova directly behind us. I finger the large rock on my left hand, head angled down as we walk. Griffin gave me a few pointers, saying that since I’m new to the public, I can play the shy card without too much clapback from the fans and press.

This whole thing reminds me how much I enjoy playing behind the scenes.

Once inside, Yana is there clapping her hands together, long nails clanking every time. She’s dressed in a bright yellow pants suit, paired with a black button down and black stilettos. Her hair is pulled back tight in a bun, showing off the sharp curves in her face. She throws an arm around our necks and I hold in a cough as she pats our backs and then directs us to a long table at the front of a ballroom. Everything is doused in yellow and black, including the tablecloth. I’m pretty sure we’re still in Red Brook but I’m terrible with directions and I wasn’t paying attention. “You’ll hold up the book, talk a little about it, meet some of the investors, and then-”

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