Page 11 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

I bite back a laugh. Johanna is a force to be reckoned with, and its entertaining watching Harrison trying to hold his ground against her unyielding persistence. My money is on Johanna, which doesn’t bode well for me either.

Maybe she’d ease up if she knew that Harrison and I have a past. It’s obvious he didn’t think I was important enough to mention. Granted, we only spent one weekend together, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

I only wish I understood why she’s so adamant that I accept the position. Private chefs in New York City are a dime a dozen, and there are at least a handful who make exceptional gluten-free meals. It’s surprising that Harrison hasn’t found a replacement yet. Then again, if he’s as gruff with everyone else as he is with me, it’s easy to see why others might hesitate to accept the position, even if the compensation is unmatched.

I hate to admit that if I wasn’t paying rent, I’d be able to save more for my restaurant. Right now, I’ll be lucky to start with a food truck or café, but I can always expand later.

“What do you say, Fallon?” Johanna asks. “You could move in as early as next week.”

Harrison grabs his drink and downs the remainder in one gulp. “Don’t you have plans with Presley this afternoon?” he asks Johanna, not giving me a chance to answer.

She glances down at her watch. “Not for another hour. That gives us plenty of time to sort this out.” She leans over to pat me on the knee.

Harrison clenches his jaw as he watches. I flash him a smug smile, relishing in the fact that his mother’s kindness toward me is clearly getting under his skin.

“What’s it going to take for you to let this go?” he asks Johanna.

She grins as though she’s already gotten her way. “For you to hire Fallon and have her stay in your penthouse,” she says, not missing a beat.

Harrison scowls in my direction when I chuckle. “Care to share what you find so amusing?”

If I were to accept his offer—and I’m not saying I will—it would be for the generous salary and the accommodations. The chance to rattle him would just be an added bonus.

My shoulders tremble with nervous laughter. “Just picturing the two of us under the same roof and wondering if either of us would survive.”

“Exactly,” Harrison mutters. “Which is why it’s a terrible idea.”

“What? Afraid you couldn’t handle the challenge?” I taunt.

What am I doing?

There isn’t anything worse than spending more time with Harrison, much less living with him. It’s bad enough that mypulse quickens and a swarm of butterflies erupts in my stomach whenever he glances my way. It’s a shame my body hasn’t gotten the memo that I can’t stand him. Which begs the question, why am I encouraging him?

Think of the bigger picture.

If I want to achieve my goal of owning a restaurant, I’ll have to save up far more than I have right now. Taking on a client like Harrison, even if it means letting go of my part-time ones, would help me accumulate what I need much faster. And if I didn’t have to pay rent, I could focus all my energy on building my savings. No dream is achieved without sacrifice, and I can’t let my emotions derail my future—even if it means putting up with someone I’d rather avoid entirely.

Harrison shifts in his seat, a challenge flashing in his gaze. “You underestimate me. The real question is, can you? Doesn’t seem like you do well under pressure.”

I bite my lower lip, swallowing the retort threatening to escape, mindful of Johanna’s presence.

“There’s only one way to find out,” I challenge.

Things are about to get interesting.

My mom’s excited outburst rings out as I arch a brow at Fallon, totally caught off guard by her reply. Which is probably exactly what she wants.

“Does this mean you’ll take the job?” my mom presses.

“It does,” Fallon says, locking eyes with me, daring me to disagree. “But I have conditions.”

Of course, she does.

Every instinct tells me to put an end to this immediately, but I can’t. My mom is determined to get her way, and frankly, I can’t bring myself to shut her down. Add to that my refusal to let Fallon come out on top, and I’m inclined to go along with this charade.

“What conditions?” I ask.

Fallon hesitates briefly before she says, “I want an unlimited budget for ingredients. Quality should never be compromised, especially with gluten-free dishes.”

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