Page 89 of Moonstruck Kiss

“Okay, so here’s what’s happening.” Roger details everything that’s going on after Chelsea’s review has gone viral. “And then there’s this company wanting to buy us out. We don’t want to sell, but we want to keep our options open in case push comes to shove. I guess I want advice most of all on how to handle possible negotiations when we’re the David to their Goliath.”

“Who’s the Goliath?” I ask.

“Teews.”

I stare at Roger.

“They’re a big confectionary company,” he adds, mistaking my reaction for ignorance. “And their offer is only valid for seven days unless we agree to enter into serious negotiations.”

“Oh, really?” Lola says.

“Yeah, I forgot to tell you that bit.”

Joey snickers. “I bet they’re trying to force us to sell while all this negative publicity is happening so they could get away with a super-cheap price.”

I’m not liking the sound of this one bit. “How much have they offered,” I ask.

Roger tells me.

I’m shocked but I try not to show it. That figure is nowhere near what I’d have advised Teews to offer for Moonstruck Chocolatier had they gone ahead with working with GX?—

An unpalatable idea floats in my head. I park it away for the moment to concentrate on my conversation with the Barkers.

“Joey has a fantastic idea,” Josie says. “She’s going to approach other influencers to try Sweet n’ Moonstruck to counter Chelsea’s negativity. If you ask me, anyone else would find our chocolates quite good,at the very least.”

“That’s great! I bet that’ll work, too.”

Joey beams at me. “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who has the ear of a big-time food influencer, do you?”

“I’ll ask around. And give me time to think about your whole situation. You’re already on the right track with the influencer idea, but let me mull a few things in my head regarding the Teews offer—should you want to negotiate with them.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lola says.

Roger slaps my shoulder. “Thank you, Brax. Really appreciate it.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“But it helps to have someone like you on our side. I know that your only consideration will be what’s best for Moonstruck Chocolatier—and Joey.”

“And her family,” I murmur. And to do that, I have to first assuage some suspicions that are bugging the hell out of me.

The longer my investigations go, the worse I feel. After finding out from Tony that Lando finally got Teews to sign with GX, I can’t help but think that Lando might have done something shady to make that happen. He didn’t even inform me of this new development!

Negative publicity regarding Moonstruck Chocolatier is still swirling rapidly and, while Joey has had some success in contacting some influencers, only the small ones have agreed so far. Their reviews, mostly gushing, haven’t gone viral and don’t have the power to counteract the effects of Chelsea’s post. The Barkers, therefore, have agreed to negotiate with Teews purely to extend the deadline to their offer.

I have to speak with Chelsea. I strongly suspect someone pushed her into writing such a business-killing review. I sent her a direct message, promising an exclusive interview if she’d meet with me in secret.

It’s all too sus, but I’ve no proof. I don’t want to discuss my suspicions with the Barkers—or even just Joey—as I don’t want to upset them or make them feel paranoid. For all I know, I could just be the one being paranoid.

I hear a noise outside my cabin and my heart skips with glee. That has to be Joey arriving by bike. I walk out to greet her.

“Hey, gorgeous.” I take her in my arms and bend her backwards, kissing her passionately.

“Hey, handsome,” she breathes. “I’m happy to see you so relaxed.”

“Am I not always relaxed around you?” I sling an arm around her waist and lead her inside. “Apart from when I’m horny—which happens often. Hm, you’re right. I guess I’m not always relaxed when I’m with you.”

She laughs, flinging her backpack on the armchair.

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