Things I Should Have Said: An IntrovertExtrovert Romantic Comedy (Heartlanders Book 1) by Kelsey Humphreys

Author:Kelsey Humphreys [Humphreys, Kelsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Comedy, Contemorary Romance, introvert, Humor, Women&#39, s Fiction
Publisher: Magnamour
Published: 2022-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

“Love the Witness Protection vibe you’ve got going on,” Sam teases as we sit down for a late dinner. I roll my eyes and pull my hat down farther on my head, making it smash my sunglasses.

“Sweetheart, you’re sitting with all of us at the table, I think you can lose the sunglasses now,” Dad says. Everyone is smirking.

I take off the glasses and sit up a little straighter, realizing he’s right. I glance around the restaurant again. It’s a small tapas place, and it’s well past the dinner hour, but since this is one of the few options close by the convention center, the enemy could walk in at any moment.

I am a bundle of anxiety, even after a five-mile run and darting all over the convention center with Sally to hide some of our best sellers. Writing clues and hiding the little gifts was exhausting, but Instagram and Twitter are already blowing up over it. Take that, stupid Postify Press—hands-on, in-person activities with a physical payoff.

We are dominating the convention conversation so far. I keep checking compulsively, but Stupid Face and his stupid company has yet to tweet to us after changing their username and beginning to function as a real brand rather than a teaser account. Even better, let’s never talk again!

“He’s not here, and even if he was, he wouldn’t come over to our table. Relax.” Susan’s voice takes on that motherly tone.

“He really seemed shocked and apologetic,” Sadie offers with half a shrug.

“He seemed nice enough.” Dad leans in. “But they are a disaster for us. We have four retail locations on the brink of closing. We’re going to have to crush them.”

“Yes, Dad!” I lean in too. “Love that energy. More of that, everyone! Let’s discuss how we’ll crush them, shall we?”

“Wow, Skye wants to talk business, someone call a doctor,” Sam mutters under her breath. Sally laughs, and Sadie and Susan stifle their smiles.

“Well, first we need to tighten up our relationships, make sure no more of our lines or artists get stolen away.” Dad looks around like we’re surrounded by spies, though there is no one near us.

“I can’t believe they’re offering stock options for creators.” Susan stares into her glass, looking defeated. I don’t like it.

“But stock options are not tangible, not cash in your pocket to pay for a new easel or laptop or whatever.” I point my thumb at my chest. “And if they’re all like me, they hear ‘stock schmock’ and their eyes glaze over.”

“Good point, Skye.” Dad smiles at me.

“Can we offer higher margins for them? Better royalties?” Sadie asks.

Susan is still huffy. “No, as they not-so subtly pointed out, we are already dangerously close to luxury gift prices!”

“So, we focus on what we do have.” Sam grins, optimistic as ever. “Big-box stores, huge social media numbers, a whole publishing wing . . .”

We brainstorm around the table, and it is actually fun. For a moment, our differences highlight what a great team we can make when we’re not at each other’s throats.

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