Page 109 of Never To Be Mine

He ran his hand through his hair again. “When I was meeting with your dad, he made this comment about not remembering the last time he’d had a fast food burger. And it got me thinking, we’ve been testing our burger against every plant-based competitor on the market. But we hadn’t actually compared it to what most people eat. The real thing. The cheap, fast food version that millions of people consume every day.”

I felt my anger deflate slightly. That actually made sense. Frustrating, infuriating sense, but sense, nonetheless.

“But it had to be last night?” I asked.

“I stopped at Curly’s on the way home,” he continued. “I wanted to do a real comparison. Taste what we were actually competing against. And you know what? Our burger is better. Way better. I sat there eating that thing, and all I could think was that we’re not just going to compete in this space—we’re going to dominate it.”

“That’s great, Hollis. Really.” I heard the bitterness in my own voice. “But you’re a public figure. Your entire life is scrutinized by fans online who judge every meal, every post, every decision you make. You should have seen this coming.”

“I know.” He looked miserable. “I should have. But I wasn’t thinking about optics. I was thinking about the product. I had every intention of telling people about the differences. I made mental notes about the flavor that doesn’t require condiments. I wanted to tell people we made sure we had the best possible burger before we launched it.”

I groaned and sank into my desk chair. “Why couldn’t you have just eaten it in your car? Or at home, like a normal person? Why did you have to sit at an outdoor table where anyone could see you and film you? And you looked like you enjoyed it.”

“Because I never imagined anyone would care.” He came closer, stopping just in front of my desk. “I was excited about the product and what we could accomplish. I had no idea I couldn’t just be a regular guy and eat a burger anymore.”

“You were born into celebrity,” I said. “You have to know the game.”

“My parents protected us pretty well,” he said. “I mean, they didn’t hide us, but they used their power to keep the tabloids from running pictures of us. We grew up before social media became the monster it is now.”

“Hollis, this is a disaster.”

He threw his hands in the air. “I like fucking steak. I like hamburgers. I like potato chips and ice cream. Why do I have to pretend to be something I’m not? I’ve never said anything else.”

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be monitored like that. It gave me anxiety just thinking about the world watching me eat. “It’s not fair to you. I agree. And I think it’s important you do get some privacy to eat what you want.”

“But?”

“The timing sucked, Hollis. It’s not just you that’s getting dragged.”

“What do you mean?”

I pulled up Twitter on my computer and turned the screen toward him. “Look. They’re trashing me again. Bringing up the rat piss video. Saying I have terrible judgment in business partners. Questioning whether our new relationship is even real or just a PR stunt.”

He leaned over to read the comments, his face growing paler with each one.

“And it’s not just me,” I continued. “It’s my father. It’s Young at Heart. Everything we’ve worked for is being dragged through the mud because you couldn’t wait one day to try the competition.”

“I’ll fix it,” he said immediately.

“How?” I stood up, needing to move. “How are you going to fix this? People have already made up their minds. The narrative is set. You’re the hypocrite who announced a plant-based burger and then immediately went out for fast food. No amount of explanation is going to change that for most people. The video is the most damning evidence.”

“Then I’ll prove them wrong when we launch. The burger speaks for itself.”

“If we even get to launch.” I sighed and shook my head. “My father is in with the legal team right now, reviewing the partnership contract. They’re figuring out what our options are.”

Hollis went very still. “You mean they’re figuring out how to drop me.”

“I don’t know what they’re figuring out.” I met his eyes. “But I know they’re protecting the company. Which is what they should do.”

“Juno.” He came around the desk, reaching for my hand. “I know I messed up. I know this is bad. But we can get through this. Together.”

I pulled my hand away, even though it hurt to do it. “I like you, Hollis. I like you a lot. More than I probably should after only a few weeks. But I won’t watch my family’s company go down in flames for you. I can’t.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying maybe it’s best if we take some time apart while I get this mess sorted out.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but I forced them out anyway. “I can’t think straight when you’re around. I need to be able to make clear-headed business decisions, and right now, I can’t separate the personal from the professional.”

He looked like I’d punched him. “You’re breaking up with me?”