Operations Manager Carli Porter runs The Lochwell as if it were her own and is fiercely protective of the community she’s built within its walls. But when the building’s owner sends in his best friend to evaluate its future, Caril finds herself fighting to keep everything she loves from slipping away. Left with no other option, she’s forced to team up with Alexander Grassi, the very man who could decide the building’s fate. Readers who enjoy steamy, he-falls-first romances will devour Fight It Until We Can’t by Cissy Mecca & Tina Gallagher, a small-town, rivals-to-lovers romance.
He’s a property analyst hired to find the cracks.
She’s the operations manager who will make sure he doesn’t.
Carli Porter runs The Lochwell like it’s hers. The coffee shop is her living room. Its book club members are her family. The residents are her friends. The pub is her Friday night. The only problem? The building belongs to someone else, and that someone just sent his best friend to decide its fate.
Alexander Grassi is smart and annoyingly hard to hate. He also has the kind of forearms that make it very difficult to stay mad at him. (She’s tried. It hasn’t worked.) He’s supposed to write a report, hand it over to his friend and leave. He wasn’t supposed to start showing up to trivia night. Or turning her coffee cup so the handle faces her. Or looking at her like she’s the best thing in a building full of things worth saving.
She says his report could ruin her life.
He says she’s not wrong.
She says that’s makes him the last person she should want around.
He says he’s staying anyway.
Because some legacies (and people) are worth fighting for.
Excerpt
Copyright 2026, Author Cissy Mecca & Author Tina Gallagher
“Did you tell her?” Chris asked Vee as he emerged from the small kitchen at the back of the shop.
“Tell me what?” I asked. Vee slid two coffees toward Maria Grazia and me.
“Only that the hottest guy I’ve ever seen was asking for you earlier,” Chris said. “He wasn’t just hot. He was extraordinarily hot. Casual, buttoned-up, perfect hair, two days shadow with a smile that could melt polar ice-caps kind of hot”.
“I know the man looking for you. And can guess why he’s here,” Maria said. She set her cup down. That small, deliberate gesture told me more than her words had. “He’s a good man,” she added carefully. “His mother is one of my dearest friends. But good men can still be sent to do difficult things”.
Before I could figure that out, or even take another sip of coffee, he stepped into the coffee shop. At least, I assumed it was him. But since the Brew didn’t often see extraordinarily hot men with smiles that could melt polar ice-caps every day, I assumed that was probably him. His light blue buttoned-down shirt was open, no tie, but the casual tan sport coat still gave him a polished appearance. Honestly? Chris’s description was overall pretty spot-on.
He scanned the room, his gaze pausing when it reached us. He smiled at Maria Grazia and headed our way.
“I’m thinking this is Carli?” he asked her.
“You didn’t tell me you planned to meet with her, Xander”. Maria Grazia’s tone was sharper than usual.
“I don’t have an appointment,” he turned his attention to me. His eyes were hazel, in the best way possible. “And honestly didn’t think I’d actually find her. You get around.” Xander stuck his hand out. “Alexander Grassi”.
A firm handshake from someone accustomed to shaking hands. “Carlina Porter,” I responded, defaulting to my full name, as I did when I met someone new.
“I’m a property analyst,” he said.
Before I could fully register that, Maria Grazia added, “And one of Graeme Lochwell’s best friends”.
The bottom dropped out of my stomach. Property analyst. Graeme Lochwell’s best friend. Both pieces landed separately, and then all at once, the way bad news always did. I looked at Xander. He wasn’t smiling anymore either. Whatever this morning had been before… Lou’s Instagram, AnnMarie’s bathtub, the abandoned coffee cup on some forgotten high top… it had just become the least of my problems.
About Cissy Mecca
A “recovering” 8th-grade teacher and curriculum consultant with a PhD in Language & Literacy, Cecelia loves writing high-heat, emotionally charged romance. The Brands (The Mecca Romance Multiverse): Cissy Mecca: Contemporary Romance, Cecelia Mecca: Medieval and Scottish Historical Romance. C.L. Mecca: Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Mecca Romance Signature Style: Heroines: Bold, strong women who fall hard but never lose their identity. Heroes: High-heat, protective, and intense. Vibe: Visceral, sensory-rich escapes… from family-owned vineyards to the war-torn Anglo-Scottish borders. Other Info: Representation: Katie Reed (Katie Reed Literary) Personal: Married, two teens, Disney enthusiast, traveler, and wine lovers Authority: PhD background makes her an excellent guest for craft-focused podcasts or literacy-based panels.
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About Tina Gallagher
Tina Gallagher grew up and continues to live in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a tween, she and her best friend would create happily ever afters for their favorite soap opera couples. Eventually, the soap operas lost their appeal, but the writing never did. Before living her dream as a full-time author, she worked a spectrum of jobs ranging from baking and cake decorating to marketing and project management. In between creating memorable characters, traveling, and taking pole dance lessons, Tina enjoys spending time with her two grown children and Golden Irish named Thea.
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