Brass laughed. “They’re fine.”
He glanced at Eliza, and Brass lifted his brow.
“Eliza, great to see you.”
“Hi, Matthew.”
“I’d like you to meet Luna.”
“Actually,” Luna said, “we already met. A few years ago, right?”
Eliza nodded. “At the diner. Let me guess, the bad boy—” She looked toward him.
Luna jerked her head. “Yeah, a bad boy.”
Eliza began to chuckle, and Matthew didn’t exactly know what he was missing. They were clearly sharing an inside joke.
“So, anyway, Eliza is a best-selling author.”
Luna’s mouth fell open. “You are?”
Eliza nibbled on her lip. “Yeah, it is not a big deal.”
Brass gripped her shoulders. “Not a big deal? Come on, baby, don’t sell yourself short. I know for a fact it is a big deal, and it’s your dream.” He kissed her neck.
“That is amazing. Congratulations.”
“Luna wants to be an author,” Matthew said.
“Matthew, stop it.”
“You do?” Eliza asked.
“It’s a dream, yes, but honestly, I’m so happy for you.”
Matthew stared between the two women, and he wasn’t exactly sure why Luna wasn’t asking her anything. “Do you think you could give her some hints and tips on what to do?”
“Matthew, seriously. Stop. Don’t,” Luna said.
“I know it’s your dream, and I don’t know how else to help you.”
Luna rolled her eyes at him. “I’m so sorry, you must get asked this all the time.”
Eliza laughed. “It’s fine, honestly. If you ever want to talk, then we can talk. I’m not traditionally published, or whatever that’s called.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Luna said. “Matthew, can I talk to you for a second?”
She grabbed his arm and started to move him away from Brass and Eliza. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of this before now. Eliza was doing amazingly well, at least, that was what he heard the last time. If she could help Luna, then he was all for it.
When there were big get-togethers, it was usually impossible to find a private spot to talk, but he should have known Luna would be able to find one.
“Please, stop.”
He frowned. “With what?”
“I don’t want people to start thinking the only reason I’m with you is to further my own career, and with you asking people for help like that, they will.”
“I’m trying to help you.”