Page 21 of He Falls First

Cora frowns. “You don’t need lessons, Lizzy. You just need someone who appreciates you.”

“I know, I know.” I wave a hand. “But after everything with Aaron, I could use a confidence boost.”

Allison snorts. “Please. Aaron was a waste of mascara. You’re too good for him.” She leans forward, eyes glittering with mischief. “Here’s what you do. Take Hendrix’s money and milk those six weeks for everything they’re worth. Have him buy you diamonds, take you on trips—”

“I’m not sure Hendrix is the trip-taking type.” I laugh at the thought of him taking the time away from work for anything other than, well, more work.

“Fine, demand a new car then!” Allison says. “He’s a billionaire. Go big or go home!”

I laugh.

“Hell, if he’s teaching you how to be irresistible, ask him to throw in a yacht. Who could resist that?” Allison’s face is deadpan, but her eyes dance with mischief. “Or an island. You know, just for kicks.”

“An island named after me. ‘Lizzyland,’” I muse, swirling my drink. “Where the drinks are free, and the men are emotionally available.”

She shrugs. “Why not? Point is, make him spoil you rotten. It’s not every day you get to negotiate with a billionaire.”

“Are you sure about this, Liz?” Cora asks softly, brow furrowed. “You just made that ‘He Falls First’ pledge, but now you’re agreeing to help your new boss by pretending to be his fiancée? It seems like you might be compromising your principles.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right. “I know, but it’s such a tempting offer. And, well, it’s not like I’m actually falling for him, right?” Even as I say it, I can’t help but feel a twinge of doubt.

“Look,” Allison says, “whatever it takes to prioritize your happiness, okay? This guy is a billionaire. You should be able to get any damn thing you want over the next six weeks.”

Cora nods sagely. She’s always the voice of reason amidst our wild speculations. “Just make sure you’re comfortable with everything. Set boundaries. Your well-being comes first.”

“Boundaries,” I repeat, tapping two fingers on my chin. “I’ll need those in writing.”

“Speaking of what’s in writing…” Cora points to my still unsigned contract. “You gonna sign that thing or what?”

“Only if I can add a few things.” I glance at the document on my phone screen, then back at my friends. “Negotiating terms for my boundaries, and maybe that private island…”

“Call it ‘Emotional Boundaries Island,’ and make sure the only way to get there is by crossing the ‘Self-Respect Bridge.’” Allison grins and downs the rest of her drink.

“Perfect,” I say. “Emotional Boundaries Island, where the motto is, ‘He Falls First, or We Don’t Fall at All.’”

“Woohoo!” my friends cheer.

Allison grabs another margarita and turns back to me with that nosy look she gets sometimes. “Okay, Liz, time to spill it. Does this fake engagement mean you’ll have to smooch Mr. Billionaire Boss Man?”

Cora leans in, the picture of innocence—if innocence had a penchant for stirring up trouble. “And what about, you know, bedroom gymnastics?”

I choke on my mojito, ice crunching between my teeth as I cough out a laugh mixed with mortification.

“You think there’s a sex clause?” I ask.

“Is there?” Cora presses, tilting her head.

“Uh, no.” I snatch up my phone and flip it over, scrolling frantically. “There’s nothing here about any physical… stuff.”

“Nothing?” Allison squints at me with suspicion.

“Zilch.” My thumb stalls on the screen. “I didn’t even think to…”

“Think to what? Ask if you’d get to first base with the tech industry’s most eligible bachelor?” Allison’s chortle is loud enough to turn a few heads.

“First base might be fine,” I mumble. Images of Hendrix’s sharp green eyes and tattoos hiding under those tailored suits send my heart into a sprint. “But anything beyond that is probably a bad idea.”

“Bad or tempting?” Cora’s smirk is both knowing and kind.

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