Page 116 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

Lila: How did Theo take the news?

Fallon: He was very supportive.

When I told him what Harrison did and that I’m opening a restaurant for those with food sensitivities in New York, he confirmed that he’s not moving forward with his plans in London. However, he does want to explore the possibility of investing in my business and expanding to Europe. It’ll be a while before that’s even on the table, but having his support is invaluable, especially when I’m ready for advice on the menu, marketing, and other aspects of the business.

Lila: That’s amazing, babe!

Lila: I can’t wait to meet the man who stole your heart.

Fallon: Back at you. I still need to meet Brooks.

Lila: Who would have thought we’d both find our Prince Charming!

Fallon: Well, obviously. We’re amazing.

Lila: I know, right?!

An hour later, I step off the elevator to the lobby of the apartment building. Walter is standing at the concierge desk, sorting through a box of supplies filled with tissues, envelopes, and a package of extra key fobs.

He looks up with a smile. “Good morning, Miss Fallon.”

“Morning. I brought you some chocolate chip cookies.” I hold out a clear container, setting it on the counter between us.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to try them,” he says enthusiastically. “Mr. Stafford was telling me all about your restaurant on his way to the office this morning. I can’t wait to see it.”

“If you’re free later, we could stop by,” I suggest. “It’s still a construction zone, but I’d like to get your thoughts on the space.I have a call with an interior designer next week and need to finish putting a plan together before then.”

“Let’s go during my lunch break,” Walter says as he pulls out another box of tissues. “Would you mind putting this in my desk drawer?”

I nod, grabbing the box and moving around Walter’s desk to open the top drawer. I have to shuffle through pens, sticky notes, and old receipts to make space for the tissues. At the bottom of the pile, a blue collar catches my eye. Walter doesn’t own a pet, so it’s curious that he has one. Maybe it’s from an animal that belongs to one of the residents.

I glance over at Walter, who’s rushing to open the front door for a woman in a black blazer and pencil skirt, with a briefcase in hand, heading out of the building.

With him distracted, I grab the collar to study it closer. The small size and the bell attached suggest it’s a cat collar. The only reason I know that is because I had to buy one for Cat. I squint to read the engraved tag: “Urban Tails Animal Shelter.” That’s the shelter where Walter volunteers. He’s told me they primarily take in cats, which is a perfect fit given his reputation as the “cat whisperer.” He’s definitely earned the title in my book.

Cat was surprisingly at ease around him when Harrison and I left for Aspen Grove, and even now, Cat still gravitates toward him whenever he comes up to the penthouse, which is odd since he’s still cagey around everyone else, including Harrison.

And then it clicks.

The day Cat showed up, the penthouse was hectic with deliveries for my catering events, and Walter made multiple trips upstairs to lend a hand to the couriers. I was busy in the kitchen and wasn’t paying attention to him coming and going, but he must have brought Cat up at some point. Now that I’ve found this collar, it’s the only explanation that makes sense.

My mind races, wondering why he would have left Cat with me in the first place. I did mention the pranks between Harrison and me and how I was relieved that he hadn’t pulled another one before he went on his trip. However, there was no guarantee that we would keep Cat or that it would bring Harrison and me together.

“You okay, Miss Fallon?” Walter asks, approaching the desk.

I glance up, holding out the cat collar. “Look what I found.” I pause, watching for his reaction. “Is this Cat’s?”

“Curious.” Walter rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Wonder how that got in there.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Am I to believe it’s a coincidence that you have a cat collar in your desk, and I happen to have a cat in my apartment who showed up out of thin air?”

“Stranger things have happened.” He shrugs. “I must’ve put the collar in my pocket after an adoption event at the shelter and forgot to put it back.”

Except it’s not.

I’m certain it was Walter who brought Cat to my apartment. No matter his reasons, I’m grateful to him. They’ve both become part of my family—Walter is like the grandfather I never had and is now one of my closest confidants. I’m grateful to have him looking out for Harrison and me. Cat can be a handful, but he’s ours and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I place the collar back in the drawer, and tuck the tissues beside it.

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