Page 30 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

Harrison: You’re an expert on business trips now?

Fallon: Nope, just pointing out the obvious.

Harrison: Which is?

Fallon: You’re avoiding me.

Fallon: It’s okay. I get it. You can dish out a prank but can’t take it when you know you have one coming your way.

Harrison: See you tomorrow, Fallon.

A smile crosses my face before I can stop it. I’m stunned Harrison actually took my request seriously. Communicating with me directly might not be his first choice, but I appreciate the effort. I refuse to read into the way my heart skipped a beat when his number appeared on my screen. It was just a reflex, that’s all.

When the elevator chimes, I tuck my phone into my pocket and step into the lobby.

“Someone’s in a good mood today,” Walter says from his spot behind the reception desk. “Who’s got you smiling like that?”

“Believe it or not, Harrison,” I say, holding up my hand when he gives me a curious look. “It’s only because he’s out of town, and I’ll have the apartment to myself tonight.”

He chuckles softly, setting down the magazine he was reading. “Sure, that’s it.”

Okay, so I enjoy going toe-to-toe with Harrison more than I should. There’s a rush in our verbal sparring matches, and the push and pull of our exchanges is exhilarating. But do I like him? Let’s not get carried away. Just because his smirk sends a flurry of butterflies swirling in my stomach and the memories of the weekend he worshipped me like a goddess plague me at night doesn’t mean I’m about to forgive him or, heaven forbid, make the same mistake twice.

The latter sends a traitorous shudder through me. It’s exasperating how logic vanishes when it comes to Harrison, leaving me vulnerable to the possibility of him slipping through the defenses I’ve worked so hard to build.

I won’t let that happen, right?

I redirect my focus on Walter, who’s watching me with an inquisitive gaze.

“A courier just dropped off a package for you,” he says, leaning over to grab a box and scoot it closer to me.

“Thank you.”

I read the label to confirm that Theo sent it. He was in Japan recently and mentioned wanting to give me bluefin tuna as a housewarming gift. It’s a delicacy that tastes incredible, though it can have a potent smell.

“I made these for you,” I say with a smile, setting the orange rolls on Walter’s desk.

He cocks his head, his gaze shifting to the pan. His hand hovers above it like it’s a precious gift he’s afraid to touch. “You remembered,” he whispers.

I nod, passing him the napkins I brought. “You mentioned that today was your anniversary, and I wanted to give you something to remember the love you and your wife shared.”

My chest tightens as he reaches out with a shaky hand, taking an orange roll from the pan. With his eyes closed, he takes a deliberate bite, chewing slowly, a nostalgic smile crossing his lips.

“It’s like my Pearl is here with me,” he says, his voice filled with reverence.

“I’m sorry she’s not,” I respond softly, resting my hand on his arm.

His eyes glisten as he looks at me. “You’re a good soul, Miss Fallon. Don’t ever change.”

As we sit in a comfortable silence, I think about how Walter’s love for Pearl runs deep. I didn’t know them as a couple, but it’s obvious their love was the kind people spend their whole lives searching for.

Until now, my perspective on the subject has been a different story. My grandmother divorced my grandfather when my dad was a kid, and after that, no man was good enough for her. And she made sure everyone knew it.

Over the past ten years, I’ve casually dated, but never for more than a few months at a time. Serious relationships require vulnerability, and the men I’ve been with in the past have taught me they can’t be trusted—whether leading me on, ghosting me, or cheating. I’ve been through it all. So, the concept of finding someone who fits into my soul like a missing puzzle piece is a foreign concept.

But now that I’ve witnessed the aftermath of a lifetime of love, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to experiencethat myself. Great, now I sound like Lila, dreaming of a Prince Charming and my own happily ever after. Too bad I accepted a long time ago that love wasn’t in the cards for me.

After flying home from Chicago this morning, I stopped by the penthouse to shower and have breakfast. I considered working from home, but after running into Fallon in the hall, wearing another damn tank top and shorts, I opted to go into the office.

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