Lola & the Millionaires: Part One (Sweet Omegaverse #2)(72)

“Are they harassing you?” Cyrus asked, a slight growl in his tone.

I moaned and reached up, digging my fingers into my roots briefly. “No one is harassing me. This isn’t even about me, honestly. They’re talking about leaving Designate.”

“Who are Zane and Betty?” Matthieu muttered to Cyrus. “Would it matter?”

“They’re in my department, and no, not really,” Cyrus said with a brief grimace. He looked back to me, that smooth dark skin furrowing over his brow. “What does this have to do with Wendy?”

“It’s not just Zane and Betty leaving,” I explained. “It’s Wendy and whoever she successfully taps. From every department of Designate. And today Betty said something about them taking contacts with them?”

Finally, the news registered. Matthieu sat up sharply while Cyrus sagged, shoulders slouching.

“When?” Matthieu asked, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees. He’d lost his suit jacket before dinner, and his button-down stretched across his chest, a slight glimpse of chest hair in the v of his collar and fabric straining over surprisingly muscular arms.

Jesus, focus you idiot.

I shook my head. “I don’t know. They don’t know. But Betty told me that Wendy wanted to meet with me privately, that she’d get in touch with me through Betty for a dinner.” Matthieu’s hand scrubbed over his jaw and he looked to the floor as Cyrus rolled his neck, eyes on the ceiling—equal but opposite gestures. “I didn’t know how serious Zane was, or I would’ve said something on Monday.”

“You didn’t need to say anything at all,” Matthieu muttered, frowning at me. “You haven’t been with Designate long, and if Wendy starts her own project—I take it that’s where this is headed?” I nodded, and he continued, “If she starts her own and gives you a position, it can only help your résumé. Getting in on the ground of something like that leaves you an entirely vertical path on the board of that magazine.”

I clenched my jaw and stared back at Matthew. “I have three very good reasons not to take Wendy’s offer.”

Cyrus sat up, a soft smile stretching over his lips. “Rake and Leo?”

I shrugged. “My relationship with them and my friendship with this pack, yes. But the most important reason is that I love Designate. I have ever since I was a little girl. Wendy thinks that the magazine can’t change, so she wants to tear it down on her way out,” I said, and Matthieu’s eyes flinched briefly. “But I know Designate’s history. It has changed. Several times, and it can do it again. I don’t think Designate deserves to be carved open to make room for something new to grow. Wendy’s magazine can succeed or fail on its own without leaving scorched earth behind.”

I caught my breath for the first moment since I’d started my speech and found the two men stunned into silence. Warmth flooded my cheeks, and I waited for them to speak. Cyrus was smiling at least. Matthieu fell back into his cushions, palms braced on his thighs.

“Well,” he started, and then failed to finish the thought.

“David told me you loved the magazine, but I definitely wasn’t expecting that level of devotion,” Cyrus said. “So…Matt, what do you think?”

Matthieu reached up a hand and stroked his fingers over the slight scruff of his beard, eyes distant over my head. “When you say change, you mean…”

“More unique digital content, a wider look at the products we market being accessible to the audience we actually have, better diversity in models and media. Also, Designate should really consider opening its content to subjects outside of fashion and beauty. We’re the last hold out, and our audience is ready.”

Cyrus was beaming now, all but laughing. “I told you. She’s editor material.”

Matthieu sighed and collapsed. “Is this what Wendy’s been saying all along?” he asked.

“Some of it, the digital content and adding in politics, yes,” Cyrus said.

“It wouldn’t have to be politics, although I think our audience has a clear leaning. But that’s been done. Designate’s focus could be…society. Discussions about sex and gender that aren’t just, you know, weird tip lists of how to take care of your man,” I said, shrugging and ignoring my blush. I had more ideas on that topic after playing around with Rake and his incredible collection of sex toys, but I wasn’t sure I was prepared to share them with Matthieu and Cyrus at this exact moment. “There’s a whole community of non-binary and queer people who would be happy to be targeted in a fashion and beauty magazine like Designate. And that would bring—”

“An additional demographic,” Matthieu said, eyes lighting up.

There, talk numbers and business with the man and he caught on quick.

“Lola, feel free to say no, but…how would you feel about a little corporate espionage?” Cyrus asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

My eyes widened. “I… What do you mean?”

Matthieu nodded. “I see, yes. You would take Wendy up on her offer of dinner, at the very least. See what she outlines for you. And if you’re willing to play along with her, you might be able to give us more. More names, more of Wendy’s plan.”

I bit my lip. “Can I think about it? Telling you the truth, I’m comfortable with. Playing a spy game…I’m less sure about.”