Page 47 of Mocha Kisses

have you figured out why?

PR stuff

you own the fucking company, Max.

I can’t do this by text anymore so I dial him. “Max, you own the company. Just fire her and find someone else.”

“I’d love to but she’s got her hands in everyone’s contracts. Firing her would do me and the company more harm than good.”

“She’s a hassle and harmful to Griffin’s health.” Griffin turns around at the mention of his name and I wave him off, letting him know I’ll explain in a minute. He taps my knee but doesn’t turn around. “Max, I really don’t know why you let her run the place like you do.”

Silence meets my words and then a long sigh. “Because she owns half the fucking company, Luna baby. I couldn’t fire her if I fucking tried. No one’s tried to sue yet, except for Griffin, but even that has been mostly empty threats. I don’t love it but this is my baby and without it, I’ve got nothing. I told you I knew what it was like to run and I meant it. This business is literally keeping a roof over my head and just barely. So, I deal with Yana’s bullshit, placate any of the writers that need it, and move on. Just… do whatever she asks.”

“You know that’s bullshit.” Another bout of silence and another sigh. I’m beginning to think that there’s more to Max’s warning thanjustYana is coming. “What is it, Max? What did Yana do?”

“Just stirred up some controversy to sell more books.”

“Like a fucking marriage? Max, that’s not funny. Do you know how weird it is to have people I used to know coming up and telling me that I’m married?”While in the arms of another man?

“Oh? That’s… she’s really done some work then. Just placate her. Griffin isn’t that bad and she won’t make you get a real certificate. I think.”

“Max!” I kick the seat in front of me and then apologize to Griffin. “This shit isn’t funny.”

“You don’t hear me laughing. It’s only for the press release and then I’ll have you on another story stat.”

“I could just quit.”

“We both know you won’t. She should be there… soonish. God knows when that’ll be.”

Max hangs up and I feel like I’ve somehow ended up in another movie. Instead of running from the bad guys, I’m now digging myself out of Yana’s shit. “Looks like Yana manufactured your latest scandal, Griffin. We’re apparently married. I’m assuming she played into the highschool sweetheart shit. Max’s hands are tied because go figure Yana owns half the company.” I throw my hands up, growling when my phone vibrates again. When I see the unknown number I chuck it across the backseat. “And there’s the infamous text. Great. Just great.”

Rome looks at me through the rearview mirror. “What did it say?”

“Does it matter? Probably more of the same. That I owe them money and that I don’t have time to fuck around in a field and enjoy my own life.” A few days ago, I’d be packing up and running scared. Now that I’m getting to enjoy the little things, I’m frustrated. Angry.Pissed off.I don’t even wait for the car to come to a full stop before I’m gathering up Griffin’s manuscript and heading into the office. Griffin and Rome are on my heels as I make my way to the lounge and stuff myself into it. “You know I never even said thank you for this morning. Both of you. God, I’m so selfish.”

“You have a lot on your mind, Luna and you’re dealing with a lot of stress.”

“Doesn’t excuse that you guys gave me a memory I can cherish.” I pull at my robes and then look up at Griffin before he slides down beside me. “You guys have made me so fucking comfortable that it’s ridiculous.” Rome lets out a sigh of relief as he leans down to kiss my temple. His hand sifts into my hair, running through my curls a few times.

“And we’d do it again. I’ve got a few things to clean up at the café. I’ll be back soon.”

We say our goodbyes as Griffin drags me into his lap and I continue reading, pointing out things to change. He feels so comfortable that I’m having a hard time staying awake. When he starts running little circles on my hip, I give in to the temptation and curl into his chest. “Just a few minutes,” I mumble before drifting off.

Luna

Thenapturnsmoreinto a full-on comatose session and I find myself curled up on the scratchy couch in the apartment when I wake up. Griffin is sprawled out on the other side, snoring away, his mouth open and a little string of drool running across his cheek. Even like that, he’s an adorable piece of sunshine. I crawl over to him, admiring how beautiful he is when something buzzes and I look around to find the sound.

I catch Nova and Rome staring at me from the kitchen and I straighten up, embarrassed. “How long have we been sleeping?”

“A few hours. Didn’t want to wake you. Guess Griffin had enough of sleeping down there and brought you up here.” Nova shrugs it off like we aren’t slacking from the job that I was hired to do. “We wanted to be home for dinner and-”

That buzzing sound comes again and I realize it has to be my phone. I frown and search the cushions, apologizing for interrupting Nova. “Might be Max. Did Griffin tell you? Yana is coming and she… she’s the reason everyone thinks we’re fucking married.”

“No, but Rome mentioned it. Why go along with it?” Nova tilts his head to the side, studying me. “Yes, I know that she has a stake in the company and that whatever she has planned probably isn’t too crazy. But why are you saying yes? Why not tell her to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine?” He leans his hip on the counter, Rome twisting to face me from the barstool. He presses the palms of his hands between his widened legs, the muscles in his arms tightening when he leans forward.

Why am I focusing on that? Because it’s easier than this conversation.

“There’s something in all our contracts that we’re not allowed to indirectly or directly damage a writer’s success which is super vague but I needed the job.” I wave off Nova before he inevitably gets on me about reading contracts. Having a lawyer around is both a blessing and a hassle.

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