Page 39 of You & I, Rewritten

“Lana, I don’t think you’ve had the chance to meet my father yet,” Graham says as Mitch takes Lana’s hand in his. “Dad, this is Lana Taylor…our newest author whose book we’re here to talk about which is guaranteed to be a smash.” He turns his head slightly in my direction, giving me a secret wink.Swoon.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Austin.” Lana’s voice is reserved, but she meets his gaze with a kind smile.

“Oh, Lana…please call me Mitch! I hope our team has been taking care of you.”

From my limited interactions with Mitch, I’ve realized he has a way of making everyone he’s talking to feel like the most important person in the room.Like father, like son.There’s something genuinely sweet about his demeanor. Where others have built their businesses on ruthlessness and savvy, Mitch, and now Graham, have built theirs on dignity, kindness, and respect. It was one of the reasons I applied for this position.

“How are you feeling about today? Are you ready?” he asks.

“Ready as I’ll ever be with this kinda stuff.” You can hear Lana’s introverted tendencies hollering in protest about the interview, but she’s putting on a brave face because it’s just what has to be done.

“Well…we all know you’re going to knock it out of the park.” Directing his attention to me, he asks, “Can I steal you for a second?”

Shit.Hannah and Graham are deep in a discussion about last-minute details, but this causes Graham to shift his focus our way, even if momentarily.

“Absolutely.” I follow him out of the conference room, completely unsure of where this is going to go. I’ve always admired Mitch, and if I’m being honest, I would give anything to have the type of career he’s had. So, if I’ve somehow disappointed him, I don’t…I can’t fathom how awful that would make me feel.

“We haven’t had a lot of alone time, just you and I.”Please don’t fire me. Please don’t fire me. Please don’t fir…“That meddling son of mine is always around,” he says, laughing and flashing me a grin that has me looking into Graham’s future. “Before you get back to it, I want to really see how Lana is doing…the poor girl looked like she was going to pass out,” he adds, his voice riddled with concern.

“I know. Through all of our prep, she’s expressed her challenging relationship with public speaking and feeling like the attention is all on her.” Mitch crosses his arms, leaning against the wall. How have I never noticed how much him and Graham emulate one another? “But we worked out a plan in case she feels uncomfortable or anxious at any time. Besides, if she can survive Graham’s version of feedback…on topof mine, she totally can handle this.”

“Good,” he laughs. “BecauseLanais our number one priority here. There will be other opportunities for press and interviews, but I don’t ever want to push one of our authors to do something they clearly aren’t comfortable with, so keep an eye on her like you have been.” A statement like this from the boss carries a lot of weight.Another reason I adore working for this man.

“Yes, sir…I promise that this ismynumber one priority, as well.”

He puts his large hand on my shoulder. “And what about you, Will?”

Me? Why would he want or even care to know how I’m doing?That’s weird, right?

“I’m …good?” I say, my confusion and hesitation put a smile on his face.

Taking a step closer to me, he says, “Son, I know this is your first book with us, and from what Graham has told me…” He puts his hands up, clearly seeing the signs of panic begin to form on my face. “Nothing personal—he would never do that. He’s just expressed to me how deeply emotional and moving this book is. And boy, do I know from personal experience how emotionally taxing working night and day on projects like these can be.”

He can’t help but come across as fatherly. Not in alet me tell you how to do your jobway, but out of concern for the well-being of his team. It’s another reminder of the incredible family Graham comes from.

“I appreciate the check-in…I really do. But I’m great!” Who am I trying to convince, Mitch or myself? His cocked eyebrow answers that for me. “My primary focus is helping Lana take this thing to the finish line…”

“And I have no doubt you will,” he interrupts. “Do me a favor, though, just make sure you’realsofocusing on taking care of yourself and lean on your team—including my son—when it’s too much, okay?”

Lean on Graham professionally? Personally? Ugh. This is getting confusing.

Before I can respond, he continues, “We should probably head back in, huh? We’ve left them alone forwaytoo long now, so who knows what sorts of trouble they’re getting into!” With that, he pats me on the arm while turning to head back into the conference room. Was I anticipating having this kind of deep fatherly conversation with my new boyfriend’s father who also happens to be my boss? Nope.

“Well…this’ll be interesting,” I laugh to myself as I follow him back into the conference room, ready to get this over with.

* * *

Hannah and Lana have been talking for almost half an hour and everything is going perfectly. Lana is answering Hannah’s questions with charisma and sincerity, her responses are thought out and articulate.

See? You had nothing to worry about.

As Lana continues the charm campaign, I sneak a glance over at Graham who is standing behind Hannah’s cameraman. He’s listening intently, a smile tugging on the corner of that mouth of his. In the dramatic lighting they’ve set up in his office, his features look even more defined.

He’s so damn hot when he works.

“So, Lana, your book is somehow suggesting sympathy for alcoholics, right? Or insinuating their actions are somehow redeemable?” I hear Hannah ask, her tactless question lingers in the air and is met by an uncomfortable silence from everyone in the room. I remove my gaze from Graham, his expression formidable, and lock eyes with a clearly uncomfortable and seemingly frozen Lana.

What the fuck did she just ask?Rage and panic flood my veins. This was supposed to be a “fluff piece” to generate some buzz about Lana and her book, but the directness of Hannah’s question crossed a professional line that no one is happy about.Least of all Graham.

---