Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
I can’t even say if my answer is a lie. Would I truly quit writing to be CEO? I have no earthly clue. But I’d do just about anything to keep my brother from becoming a zombie in a business suit. Xander currently death-grips his energy drink next to me.
“Would you be willing to tell the world that the published fiction is not yours?” Uncle Stokes asks.
I shift in my chair. “That would be a lie.” I make a mistake by glancing at Gunther Ackermann. He’s typing profusely on his tablet. That can’t be good.
“But,” I say quickly. “I would be open to lying if it was a better lie. It’s just that my stories can easily be traced back to me, so it’s a lie that I would be caught in.”
Mr. Ackermann glances up, his eyes catching mine. He doesn’t give anything away—but he’s stopped typing. That feels like a better sign.
“Her public persona,” Mr. Meléndez whispers to the board.
Adaline chimes in, “There are rumors you’re currently dating that bodyguard.” She stabs her pen in Donnelly’s direction. And all eyes train on my boyfriend.
He’s relatively blank-faced. Giving nothing away. He is a sneaky one.
“Yep,” I say to Adaline. “I’ve heard those.”
“Would you publicly confirm the rumors, if asked?” she questions.
“Yes, but I’d rather do that in my own time and more systematically.”
“What do you mean?” Mr. Ackermann questions.
“I mean, there’s a better and more opportune time to tell the world I’m dating Donnelly. There’s no point in doing it now. If it could benefit Fizzle to wait, shouldn’t I wait?”
They all glance amongst each other, and I wonder if they’re surprised that I’d even want to slam on the brakes to announcing my relationship. But it’s not super important to me or to Donnelly to even confirm it at all. The public could guess forever, and it wouldn’t change our feelings for each other or how we interact.
“Would you deny the rumors?” Mr. Wagner asks me.
Adaline pipes in, “She shouldn’t. It’s better in the long run if she’s in a committed relationship like her mother.” They don’t want me to appear promiscuous, I’m realizing.
“Even if it’s to him?” Now Mr. Wagner is pointing at Donnelly like he’s the number one suspect in a police lineup.
I wish they would stop doing that.
“Yes,” Adaline replies. “It can be spun.” Spun. In a good light, she means, and funny enough, the reality of Donnelly is the best light.
“That’s all, Luna. Thank you,” Uncle Stokes says, and I lean back, thinking I didn’t totally fuck up. I’m proud of myself, even.
I smile over at Donnelly, and his grin reappears. He makes a hand gesture that means I love you, and I return the gesture by making a heart with my hands. Yes, the board sees. No, I don’t really care that they do.
“Ben,” Uncle Stokes calls him up.
Ben slides out of the chair and towers at six-five. He’s not hunched. He carries himself like a collegiate jock and even wears a Penn sweatshirt and jeans.
As they appraise him, his muscles seem to tighten, his stance hotter. He looks like he could kick over the board table and shove the food, notebooks, and electronics off the surface. It’s simmering aggravation.
It’s palpable to me, but maybe not to them.
He’s told to take a seat.
He returns to the end of the table. Ms. Kapoor gives him a friendly smile, and he produces one back. Then he asks the board, “What questions do you have for me?”
Uncle Stokes says, “Fizzle has partnerships with different companies, events, and venues, such as ballparks, music festivals, and sports leagues. How would you feel if we did campaigns that involved beef or meat?”
Ben opens his hands and shrugs. “I’m vegan. While I’d love if the entire world would be vegan, I know it’s not realistic.” He shoots this at Charlie, and I know Charlie often calls his youngest brother an idealist. “I don’t prescribe this belief onto anyone else. I’m aware of the ties this company has, and I’m still here.”
“Why are you here?” Mr. Wagner questions. “Do you really want this job?”
Charlie makes a show of turning his chair toward Ben at this one.
Ben glares at him, then tells Mr. Wagner, “If it’s what’s expected of me, I’ll honor it.”
“Will you?” Charlie asks mockingly.
“Shut up, Charlie,” Ben snaps. “I could say the same about you.”
“I’ll do as I’m told like an obedient son, but you?” He drums the table, staring Ben down. “Your soul is so fragile and delicate. You think it’ll even survive a week in a corporate blender?”
Ben addresses the board, “What Charlie is implying is that he’s soulless.”
“I have no soul to take,” Charlie agrees. “Perfect for corporate bargaining.” He spins back to the board and spreads his arms like choose me.
“That’s not who you want representing Fizzle,” Ben says to them.