Wild Open Hearts (Bluewater Billionaires) - Kathryn Nolan Page 0,57

seem to use money like a weapon.”

Luna tilted her head. “I’m extremely lucky, yes. Did your parents use money like a weapon?”

I cleared my throat. “If we didn’t have enough, and we almost never did, it was easy to get a fourteen-year-old to go out and get some for you.”

Her face darkened. “Was that where your arrests came from?”

“Not always,” I admitted. “I guess sometimes I wanted my parents to… notice me.”

That sentence landed like a thud between us. But Luna didn’t make a cheesy oh, poor you sound or spew some Hallmark bullshit. “Then I’m happy you have a new family now. Lucky Dog. Wes and Jem and Elián. The dogs. All of their adoptive humans. And if you ever need more family, we’ve got extra room at Bluewater.”

Her smile lit up every dark shadow in my heart.

“I’ll keep that offer in mind,” I said, voice thick.

“Like you said, money can be used for evil. It can also be used for good. I’ve let my money control me. I want to change that, starting with Lucky Dog. Thank you for letting me have that experience here. For helping me learn.”

“Of course,” I replied.

Luna looked at the watch on her wrist, sighed. “As much as I’d love to stay here all day, I’ve got a crucial meeting in two hours I need to prepare for.”

Luna stood gingerly, making her way toward me like she wasn’t entirely sure about it. The tips of her toes touched the tips of my shoes. I was still leaning against the desk, which put me closer to eye-level with the rainbow billionaire, who was suddenly stepping into my space, fingers resting lightly on my ribcage. I felt the soft brush of her lips on my cheek, those same lips hovering at my ear. My fingers gripped the desk as her closeness set my entire body on fucking fire.

“On a personal note,” she whispered, “if you were inclined as to ask me on a date, I’d say yes.” Luna stepped back, looking pretty and girlish and filled with hope. “So you should ask me.”

32

Luna

I sat at the head of the table at the Wild Heart conference room, staring at a group of people who no longer seemed to respect me very much.

I’d pushed to have this meeting with Fischer Home Goods at the Wild Heart offices because I wanted them to fully understand that what happened with Ferris Mark was absolutely horrible, but that we weren’t—and never would be—a fraudulent company. Around the room hung framed magazine and newspaper articles about Wild Heart—our high pay standards, our diverse board and leadership, our eco-friendly packaging, all of it was displayed openly and celebrated. I’d removed large photos or articles with my face in them, trying to distance the amazingness of Wild Heart from whatever complicated feelings the public had about my role as spokeswoman.

This morning, after leaving Beck’s office, I’d watched my TED Talk, re-igniting the fire in my belly that had led me to pull zero punches in that speech. I hadn’t hesitated to call out big cosmetics brands and label them hypocrites. Didn’t hesitate to splash the human and animal rights violations prevalent in our industry across that screen and call for change. Now. None of my speech had been for image or branding or Instagram or Jasmine. It had all been my vision.

If Fischer Home Goods was going to terminate their contract, they were going to have to wrench it from my sunshine-y, vegan hands.

Sylvia sat next to me. One minute before the meeting began, she passed a sticky note my way.

Remember what you stand for.

So different from the aggravated frustration from Jasmine and her team this morning—they were pissed about the picture, pissed about the caption.

Pissed that I’d deleted the photo of me and Sunshine.

This little note of uncomplicated support meant so much more than Jasmine’s media concerns.

I beamed at Sylvia, nodded at her.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” I said, aiming as much light as I could at their head of in-store products, Kristin Langley. “I know it’s been a tense couple of weeks since the Ferris Mark news broke, but I really appreciate your kindness and understanding during this time.”

Kristin’s expression let me know she felt neither kindness nor understanding but I forged ahead.

“Today we’ll be discussing negotiations of our storefront contract with Fischer Home Goods. There have been discussions”—threats—“of terminating the contract, so I want to do everything in my power as the founder and CEO of Wild Heart to guarantee