Page 53 of Falling Off Script

I nod. “Mm. Classic empathy filler. Right up there with ‘I hear you’ and ‘Tell me more.’”

Rachel looks faintly troubled, then shakes it off. “Still. I’m not going to nitpick. He’s putting in effort. And he’s really into me.”

“I can see that.”

“And last night, he said he was reading a book about feminine archetypes. He said I give off ‘Queen energy with a hint of Muse.’”

My face doesn’t move. My soul quietly rolls its eyes.

Rachel bites her lip. “You think I’m being love-bombed.”

“I think you’re being... love-marketed,” I say gently. “Like, he’s saying everything right. The question is—what happens if he runs out of script?”

She’s quiet. Just for a second. Then: “I guess we’ll find out.”

I smile. “And if he ever says the words ‘divine feminine vortex,’ I’m legally obligated to intervene.”

She laughs. “Deal.”

She leaves a few minutes later, floating out of the office like she’s been lit from within by a ring light and serotonin.

I stay seated. Let the quiet settle.

Rachel’s falling for a man who’s working overtime to be her fantasy.

And maybe, maybe he’s not faking.

But I know what happens when the fantasy runs out.

And something tells me this Matt isn’t built for endurance.

I close my notebook.

Let’s just hope Adrian’s course comes with a refund policy.

24. Adrian

Matt shows up to the Tuesday session with the energy of a man who just texted “u up?” to his own self-worth and got left on read. Usually, he fist-bumps everyone on his way in. Today, he just nods.

“Matt,” I say, raising a brow. “You look like a man who either got lucky or got humbled.”

He exhales. “Honestly? A little of both.”

The other guys chuckle. I do the coach lean — arms crossed, head tilted, masculine posture set to “philosopher lumberjack.”

“Alright,” I say. “Floor’s yours.”

He hesitates.

Then: “It’s Rachel. I think she’s starting to see through me.”

That gets attention. Two guys straighten. One whispers, “Oh shit.”

I nod, slow. “Tell us.”

Matt scratches the back of his neck like the answer’s hidden there. “At first, she loved it. The confidence, the clarity. I said stuff like, ‘I lead with intention’ and ‘I don’t chase, I attract,’ and she practically melted.”

I nod. Those are solid lines. Some of my best work.

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