Page 234 of Problematic

“I was medicated.”

“You wrote seven pages of revisions.”

“It was a terrible handbook.”

He reached behind the espresso machine and pulled out a thick stack of papers.

My smile faded.

“What is that?”

“A solution.”

His hair had fallen over his forehead. Caramel streaked one cuff. Pink marker from the name tag smudged his shirt where he had tried to hide it. He had never looked less terrifying. Which made the nerves sliding through my stomach feel ridiculous. Lux set the papers between us.

“I’m transferring full ownership of the City Coffee franchise to you.”

The café noise softened around the words. I blinked. “You’re what?”

“Transferring ownership.”

“I heard you. My brain didn’t process any of it.”

He pushed the papers closer. “Read and sign.”

I opened the first page to my name at the top. Olivia Heart, sole owner and controlling member. My throat tightened. I flipped through legal terms, franchise locations, employment protections, property agreements, and clauses confirming Lux Corp held zero hidden control, surveillance rights, buyback options, or automatic authority over City Coffee.

My fingers slowed near the final pages.

“Lux.”

“Yes?”

“This includes Bellflower & Bone.”

He moved beside me, shoulder brushing mine. “Partnership agreement.”

I pointed at the paragraph. “Explain.”

“Bellflower & Bone supplies live plants and seasonal arrangements for every City Coffee location. Customers purchase them through shared retail displays. Mrs. Kori keeps ownership of her business. City Coffee receives a small commission. The flower shop receives guaranteed orders, display space, and delivery support.”

“And this part here? Added retail space?”

He smiled and pulled me to the computer. Lux brought up a wholesale ordering site. “We’re introducing a new retail space inside the coffee shop for books.”

My heart kicked. Coffee, books, and flowers had always felt tied together inside my head, soft pieces of ordinary life I wanted before demons, mate bonds, stalkers, wars, and tails had complicated everything.

“Oh, I fucking love that.”

Lux smiled.

“Amazing. Sign here.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You planned the flowers and books so I’d sign faster.”

“I know my audience.”

“You’re so manipulative.”