Chapter 2

"Your 18th birthday gift."

He said, "Happy birthday, Amy Landers."

Then I realized he hadn't just flown across an ocean for grilled cheese.

Because that day was also my eighteenth birthday.

When I applied for jobs after graduation, Harrison Enterprises was the first one I crossed off my list.

Even though he promised me an incredible package with all the perks.

But honestly, who in their right mind would want him as their boss?

I even went and interviewed at one of his rival companies, smugly telling him we'd be competitors now, may the best business win.

He just chuckled over the phone.

Said I was naive and cute.

I didn't get what he meant at the time.

Until a week after starting my job, before I'd even finished orientation, we got the announcement.

My new company had been acquired.

...

New CEO: Jake Harrison.

—

Late for work, caught an uber with my boss as the driver, and lost my perfect attendance bonus.

You'd think growing up in the same class as a billionaire's son meant I was loaded too?

Reality check: I'm broke as hell.

When I turned eighteen, my dad kicked me out.

If there's one thing Jake had that totally crushed me, it was his money moves.

Especially when he smiled sweetly while telling me I'd lost my attendance bonus.

"Come on, Mr. Harrison, we can talk about this..."

Of course I wasn't going to give up - it was the end of the month, and I'd worked so hard to be on time every single day.

"I'll do anything..."

He raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued.

Leaning against the steering wheel of his Rolls-Royce, under that starlit roof, his smile turned playful.

"How about you cook dinner for me?"

—

Rich people must be insane.

I warned Jake to lower his expectations - I rarely cook. He just nodded.

Mr. CEO said he'd pay for everything.

So I went all out: lobster, king crab, you name it.

He just leaned on the shopping cart, resting his chin on his hands, lazily watching me spend his money.

Whatever - emptying the whole store probably wouldn't even make a dent in his trust fund.

After raiding the seafood section, I politely asked if he needed anything else.

He was scrolling through his phone, barely paying attention.

"Hmm, need those."

"Need what?"

I didn't catch his meaning until he finally looked up, with that infuriatingly mysterious smile.

Then we ended up in a very specific aisle.

He tossed two boxes of contraceptives into the cart.

I laughed.

"You've never even dated anyone. What do you need these for?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"How are you so sure I don't have a girlfriend?"

...

Please. I knew this guy inside out.

We'd known each other for over a decade - if he'd had some epic romance, I would've known. No way he could've kept that secret.

The truth was, at twenty-seven, he was still pure.

"If you actually have a girlfriend, I'll eat these boxes whole."

"Is that so?"

He smiled, his voice lifting with that familiar teasing tone.

—

Only someone with my chaotic genius would pair instant ramen with Australian lobster.

By the time I set the food on the table, he'd already called someone to bring up two cases of beer.

"You think I can drink that much?" I stared at him.

"Oh?"

He sat at the table, flipping the bottle opener like a pro.

"Bet you can't keep up with me."

He knew exactly how to push my buttons, and I fell for it every time.

I should've known better, but pride won out. I grabbed the opener and popped a bottle, watching the amber liquid fill my glass.

So our fancy instant ramen and lobster feast turned into a drinking party.

We drank from sunset's golden glow into the star-filled night.

Until my vision started blurring and my head wouldn't stop spinning.

I slammed my beer bottle on the table and grabbed his collar from across the table.

"What happened to... all that big talk? Can't hang anymore?"

He was already slumped over the table.

Just his red-tipped ears visible, his collar mysteriously unbuttoned and messy. My eyes wandered from his collarbone downward.

And froze.