Page 57 of He Falls First

But then again, I deserve to enjoy this. Because I nailed that lunch meeting! I realize this and straighten up, because I have nothing to be ashamed of, damn it. The pigeon looks a lot less judgmental and a lot more like we’re in this celebration together when I toss over a pinch of cheesecake crust.

At first, it threw me off to have to show up to the meeting without Hendrix at the last minute. We’re trying to convince a local bankers’ association to help promote LocalLink, and bankers are not exactly my people. I kinda figured they’d just see Hendrix, all tall and serious and the embodiment of authority walking in one of his fancy suits, and that itself would get us halfway there?

Without him, it was all up to me to make our pitch—and without the tall-guy-in-a-suit factor. All I had to do was choke down years of self-doubt along with my iced tea before we got down to business.

But then, to my surprise at the time, it all went pretty smoothly. Now that I think about it, though, it’s not all that surprising. I went from pretending I was someone who knew what I was talking about, to remembering that I do know what I’m talking about. I explained the benefits of LocalLink like I knew them like the back of my hand—because, well, I pretty much do.

And I don’t know if it was more about the pitch itself or the way I presented it with confidence, but those bankers were more than eager to get involved by the time we finished eating.

Hendrix will be so pleased when he hears about it. I box up the rest of the cheesecake as I step into the elevator, and give my fingers a little victory tap on my thigh as I make my way down the hallway.

My heart leaps as I round the corner and spot two familiar figures coming out of his office—my former boss Gabrielle and her daughter Harper, whose red curls bounce with each step. My heart leaps. What a wonderful surprise! I trail behind, hoping to catch up and say hello. Gabrielle must be meeting with Hendrix about some loose ends for the company.

I’m about to call out to them when something makes me pause. I hang back, watching as Gabrielle pulls Hendrix into a long, tight hug. He smiles and lifts Harper into his arms, spinning her around while she giggles and throws her arms around his neck.

They all look… close. Too close. It’s not the usual professional exchange you’d expect between colleagues. Especially Hendrix, who’d rather pull out one of his own teeth than hug a random colleague. But he and Gabrielle and Harper look familiar. No, more than familiar—they look like a family.

My stomach drops. I press back against the wall, out of sight. What’s going on? I think back to what Gabrielle told me about Harper’s dad—he lived in New York, just like Hendrix did before he moved here.

No. It couldn’t be. Could it? Is Hendrix Harper’s father? Are he and Gabrielle together? Is he leading some cheating, double life with me or something?

What the hell would that mean about our sham engagement? Am I the one being shammed?

I feel a little sick, and a lot of stupid.

While they’re off saying their good-byes, I slip into Hendrix’s office, closing the door behind me. My heart pounds as I wait for him to get back. I bite my lip.

Don’t jump to conclusions, I tell myself. I shake my head. For all I know, they could just be old friends catching up. And Hendrix never told me he’s friends with my old boss. For some reason. Some strange reason I can’t imagine.

But even as I try to reassure myself, I just know I’m missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. And I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being lied to—and I deserve to know why.

The door opens and Hendrix steps into the room. He halts when he sees me, brows furrowing.

“Elizabeth. I didn’t realize you were back already.”

I force a smile. “The meeting wrapped up quicker than expected.”

So he thought he had more time before I got back. More time to conceal his visitors from me. My suspicions mount.

I need to test him. Casually, I ask, “Did you have anyone stop by while I was out?”

He doesn’t even blink. “No. No one came by.”

The lie slides effortlessly from his lips. My hands curl into fists. How could I have been so stupid to trust him?

I take a deep breath. It’s time for the truth.

“Really?” I press. “Because I saw Gabrielle and Harper leaving your office when I got back.”

His eyes widen for a moment before narrowing into a defensive glare.

He opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off.

“Don’t bother lying again. I watched you with them, all cozy and familiar. Hugging Harper like…” My voice hitches. “Like a father.”

Hendrix’s jaw tightens. “I can explain that—”

“Explain what?” I demand. “That you already have a picture perfect family? Then why the hell did you need me to pretend to be your fiancée?”

---