Page 104 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

“I’m merely trying to have a conversation with my granddaughter,” grandmother says, her tone dripping with disdain.

“Doesn’t look that way to me,” Harrison growls. “You think you can walk in here and belittle her achievements without repercussions? You’re wrong. This woman is a culinary genius, and when she’s a household name, I’ll make sure you’re blacklisted from every one of her restaurants and Theo’s too.”

My eyes widen at his sheer boldness, completely unfazed by who she is.

“You have no right to threaten me. I’m Elizabeth’s only family.”

“Her name is Fallon,” Harrison retorts. “And you’re wrong. You may share blood, but that doesn’t mean shit. She deserves to be surrounded by people who will build her up, not tear her down. She has that in me, and with my family, and we’ll stand by her no matter what.” His posture stiffens, his tone growing more frigid with each word. “I’m going to tell you one more time before I call the police and report you for trespassing. “Leave and never come back. You’re not welcome here.”

“You’ll regret this.” Grandmother jabs a finger at us. “You both will.” She storms out of the building, and my shoulders relax in relief.

I’m grateful Harrison got here when he did. For the most part, I prefer to do things on my own, including standing up to my insufferable grandmother, but in this instance, it’s such a turn-on that Harrison was willing to stand up for me.

He lifts the bag from shoulder. “Let me take that for you.”

I throw my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

Harrison presses a kiss to my forehead. “Always, beautiful.”

I glance at the clock on the wall to see that it’s only 3:30 p.m. “How come you’re home so early?”

“Walter called me when your grandmother got here and mentioned you had stepped out for an errand and would be back shortly. I wish I could’ve been here sooner to intercept her.”

I offer him a feeble smile. “It’s alright. I appreciate you getting here when you did.”

“Do you want to talk about what happened?”

“Not right now.”

“Okay, well, I’m here when you’re ready and don’t let a damn thing she says get to you.”

I force a smile to mask the insecurities creeping in. What if my grandmother is right and my dreams are meaningless? What if I end up as a washed-up chef with nothing to show for it, all because I wanted to carve my own path?

The next afternoon, I’m in the kitchen making dinner when my phone pings.

Lila: Are you alive? Do I need to call 911 or have a Diet Coke IV delivered?

Fallon: The latter. Stat.

Lila: I’ll get Brooks right on that. The man’s a walking Rolodex.

Fallon: Fully leaning into the girlfriend perks, I see.

Fallon: My grandmother stopped by uninvited yesterday.

Lila: Shit. I wish I could have been there to give her a piece of my mind.

Fallon: Harrison beat you to it.

Lila: I’m glad. Does this mean you two are official?

Fallon: Is it too late to invoke my right to remain silent?

Lila: Yup.

Fallon: Harrison took me to Aspen Grove this past weekend.

Lila: Omg really? I’m so jealous. I’ve always wanted to go.

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