Page 101 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

Marlow sets a pack next to each plate she’s set out. “I know, right? They’re my favorite. Lola’s too.”

“Has she always been a fan of hockey?”

“Dylan and I took her to a Mavericks game a couple of months ago. Harrison had her out on the ice afterward showing her how to skate, and she’s been obsessed ever since,” Marlow says as she sets out juice boxes. “He’s such a good teacher, and when he’s out on the ice, it’s obvious that he loves the game.”

“Yeah, he does,” I agree. “I got to watch him play in a charity game and he’s incredible.”

I glance over at the rink to find the kids clustered around Harrison. They hang on every word as he speaks. He demonstrates how to hold their sticks properly and uses an encouraging tone, giving every kid a thumbs up when they get it right. He waves them forward as he moves across the ice and they follow him like ducklings, some teetering on their skates as they get used to them.

He’s an incredible uncle to Lola, and an image pops into my head of him with his own kids, holding his hand as he teaches them to skate. I’ve never thought about starting a family in the past. Since graduating from culinary school, my life has centered around my career. Now, the idea of a mini- Harrison running around has me thinking about what it might be like to have a family of my own.

“So, are you two officially an item?” Marlow questions with a curious smile.

I want to be.

But that’s something I want to discuss with Harrison first, before anyone else.

When I don’t answer, Marlow adds, “Sorry if I’m being nosy. The Staffords have no boundaries, and I think it’s rubbed off on me.”

“You’re not, I promise.” I take the fruit skewers and put one on each plate that Marlow has set out on all the tables. “Do you spend a lot of time with Johanna and Mike?”

She nods. “We go over several times a week, and Johanna watches Lola often. Some might find it overwhelming, but I’m so grateful for it. As an only child who’s not close to my parents, being part of a family that supports each other is something I never imagined I’d ever have the chance to experience.”

We share a similar background, though my parents couldn’t be here, whereas hers chose not to be. That must be a heavy burden to carry. She’s lucky to have the Staffords, and from what I know about Johanna, I’m sure she’s embraced Marlow as one of her own.

“I can relate. My parents passed away when I was twelve, and I had to live with my grandmother. To say there’s no love lost between us is an understatement,” I explain.

She covers her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Fallon, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“I appreciate it,” I say. “It’s nice to chat with someone who can relate.”

“Same.” She puts her hands on her hips, scanning the setup to make sure we didn’t miss anything before setting the boxes off to the side. “Whatever happens between you and Harrison, consider me a friend. For what it’s worth, it’s obvious Harrison is smitten with you.” She lets out a nervous laugh. “There I go again overstepping.”

“No, it’s okay. I’d like to know why you say that.”

Marlow nods to where Harrison is standing on the ice, helping Lola hit the puck with her hockey stick. “For starters, he can’t go ten seconds without looking this way.”

Sure enough, a few seconds later, he glances in our direction, and when our eyes meet, he waves. I give him a broad smile in return.

My focus shifts to the main entrance where Johanna and Mike are walking in, carrying a stack of presents wrapped in rainbow paper.

“Hello, sweetheart,” she says, pulling Marlow in for a hug. “Sorry we’re late. We didn’t have any birthday wrapping paper left, so we had to stop by Brush & Palette on the way here. Quinn was so sweet and let me wrap Lola’s gifts in the back.”

“I’m glad she was able to help,” Marlow says.

Johanna turns her attention to me. “I’m so happy you made it.” She comes over to give me a hug too. “How is Harrison feeling today?” There’s a tinge of worry in her voice. “He never called me this morning like I asked him to.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning, not wanting to draw attention to it. Harrison was a tad preoccupied with me on the kitchen counter to check in with anyone.

“He’s doing much better,” I say, keeping light on the details.

“Oh, good, I’m so glad he had you to look after him.” She grins before turning to Marlow. “Sweetheart, I have one last gift in the car for Lola. Would you mind helping me get it?”

“Of course.”

As they head out the front door, Mike comes to stand next to me, his hands shoved in his pockets. “My wife tends to come on strong, but she has a heart of gold, and there’s nothing she loves more than her kids.” He watches Lola squealing as she makes a goal, Harrison and Dylan cheering her on. “Harrison has been taking care of his family since he was a kid. When Dylan was twelve, he broke Johanna’s favorite glass vase, and Harrison took the blame, knowing that Dylan had plans with his friends that night and didn’t want him to miss out.” Mike pushes his glasses up higher on his nose. “When I had a heart attack, during his only season as a pro hockey player, he retired so he could help me run the company.”

“He’s a good man,” I whisper.

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