Page 78 of He Falls First

“Uncle Hendrix, we take a family photo so I can draw it?”

“Of course, kiddo,” Hendrix says.

“Let’s do it,” Gabrielle agrees, standing up.

I automatically take a half-step back, my heart doing a little somersault of awkwardness. I’d love to be part of this, sure, but this is their family moment. Gabrielle with her calm grace, Harper all animated chatter, and Hendrix, who has this adorable smile-frown on his face, because he knows of no better way to express his pride for these two.

But before I can retreat into the wallpaper, Hendrix’s hand finds mine.

“Elizabeth, come on. You’re part of this, too,” he says, his thumb caressing the back of my hand.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” Gabrielle says as she comes up beside me, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “We’ve already claimed you as one of our own.”

“Come here, Aunt Lizzy.” Harper tugs at my sleeve, her impatience adorable. “You gotta stand next to Uncle Hendrix!”

Aunt Lizzy. Oh, my god. My heart stutters. That’ll never get old.

Hendrix moves to my other side, slipping an arm around my waist and pressing a soft kiss to my temple. “You’re stuck with us now.”

Cora waves the camera. “Everybody smile!”

I realize I already am—I’m beaming, actually—as if my face already knew what my brain hadn’t quite caught up to yet.

“Feels right, doesn’t it?” Hendrix murmurs in my ear.

The camera clicks, and in the pause between snaps, I catch his eye. There’s an entire conversation in that gaze—silent words about futures and feelings, and all the fears we’ve trampled to stand here, together. His green eyes are sharp, always searching, but now they just look happy. Content.

As the camera flashes again, freezing our newfound family into a single frame of time, a thought settles in my chest, clear and sweet.

This is it. This is home.

Epilogue

Elizabeth

The low, sultry beat of the music pulses through my veins as I shimmy from the dance floor between Allison and Cora. It’s girls’ night out, and it feels like a lifetime since we’ve had one of these.

“Spill it, Lizzy,” Cora says as we settle into a booth with our cocktails. “Don’t leave us hanging about you and Hendrix.”

We’ve all been so busy in the months since Hendrix and I made things official, for real. And apparently, the many happy emojis I send them by text aren’t enough. They want to know exactly what’s been going on with me and my billionaire.

“Oh, let me catch my breath from work first. Running LocalLink is like juggling flaming torches, blindfolded.” I chuckle, but they’re not buying the deflection.

“Nice try,” Allison says, flipping her blonde waves over her shoulder. “We already know the work spiel.”

“Uh-huh, CEO Summers,” Cora teases, swirling her drink. “We’re very proud, but we’ve heard all about your work updates. Tell us about the play updates.”

Allison leans forward conspiratorially, while Cora hides her grin behind a sip of her cocktail. This moment is reminding me of how far I’ve come. Not just in my career, but in being able to talk about my love life without embarrassing anecdotes about being ignored by whatever current boyfriend has me miserable. Hendrix is all in. He can’t get enough of me, and these days, I really get it. I am a great catch, and all those losers I dated before Hendrix really missed out.

I laugh, shaking my head. “You two are the worst. But if you must know…”

My words cut off as a new presence sidles up beside our table. Tall with a smarmy smile plastered across his face, some charming Casanova in a too-tight shirt locks onto me as he approaches.

“Excuse the interruption,” he purrs. “But I couldn’t help noticing how you shine brighter than the stars tonight.”

“Wow, original,” I deadpan, not missing a beat. “I’m flattered, really, but I’m quite content basking in the glow of my own supernova, thanks.”

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