If You Give a CEO a Chance (Aspen Grove #3)

Extended Epilogue

Fallon

I’m minding my own business, curled on the couch with Cat, watching a new episode of American Horror Story, when I hear Harrison shouting.

I scramble off the couch and rush down the hall to see what’s the matter. When I get to our bathroom, I come to a sudden stop. I throw my hand over my mouth at the sight of him standing in front of the mirror—his hair a metallic orange.

“Oh my god.”

“I thought we were done with the pranks?” he deadpans.

What’s one more for old times' sake?

Damnit, Fallon, this is not the time. We’re in crisis mode here.

“I’m so sorry, Harrison. When Cat showed up, I was really mad at you and figured bedazzling your hockey stick wasn’t enough, so I came up with the idea to add bleach to your shampoo.” I run a hand through my hair, trying to figure out how to make this right. “I figured it would be funny to add it to your unopened bottle under the sink. But after you had the penthouse decorated for Christmas and came home early from Aspen Grove, I changed my mind.”

“If that’s the case, why’s my hair orange?” He asks, motioning to his head.

“I forgot to throw out the shampoo bottle. I really am sorry.” I apologize. “In my defense, Cat was an absolute terror when he arrived, and I was determined to get back at you any way I could.”

Harrison takes in a slow breath. “I’m going to take another shower to see if I can get some of the color out.”

It’s probably a hopeless cause since we need to add color back into his hair, but I need a moment to figure out how to fix this.

I nibble on my lower lip. “I’m going to call Lila. She’ll know how to fix this, and if not, you’re totally pulling this off,” I say unconvincingly.

Harrison shakes his head and turns the shower back on.

I rush back to the living room and grab my phone off the couch. After dialing Lila’s number, it rings several times before she picks up.

“Hi, Fallon,” Lila answers. “You’re on speaker.”

That’s just great.

Brooks already thinks I’m unhinged due to Lila filling him in on the early drama with Harrison. He’s definitely going to have an even worse impression when he hears what I accidentally did. Yes, I’m calling it an accident since I had every intention of stopping the prank before I went through with it.

“Thank god you picked up,” I say, my voice frantic. “I messed up big time, and I need your help fixing it.”

“Woah, slow down,” Lila says. “Tell me what happened?”

“Remember the prank I mentioned when Harrison was in Aspen Grove for the holidays? The one I wanted to pull off in addition to bedazzling his hockey stick?” I cringe, bracing myself for Lila’s reaction.

She doesn’t disappoint, gasping in shock. “Fallon, no. What happened to not going through with it?”

“It was an accident… sort of,” I rush to explain. “I bought the bleach and put it in Harrison’s new shampoo bottle under the sink. However, after he had the penthouse decorated for Christmas and came back early, I decided not to go through with it. But things got busy, and it totally slipped my mind to toss that bottle. His hair is orange, Lila. Orange!”

“Please tell me you got a photo though,” Lila says with a giggle.

“We’re in crisis mode! But yes, I absolutely will. Now is the time for solutions. If I don't fix this, he might reconsider his decision to have me officially move in.”

Okay, we both know that’s not going to happen. He loves me too much. But I wouldn’t rule out him giving me the silent treatment if he’s stuck with a head of orange hair for the foreseeable future.

“Not sure if I’d blame him,” Lila teases.

“Not helpful,” I mutter.

Lila blows out a breath. “What about a color-correcting shampoo? It should help balance out the brassiness in his hair. That could take a few days though.”

“I don’t have a few days. He has a meeting with his board this afternoon that he can’t miss.” I say, my voice tight with nerves.

Lila stays silent on the other end, and I pace the kitchen, waiting. Cat watches me from his bed, eyeing me like I’ve personally offended him. I lower the phone and glare back. “You’ve done worse, so you don’t get to judge.” He flicks an ear and settles his head down, clearly uninterested in my crisis.

Even though Cat’s outgrown his destruction phase, he still manages to create chaos. Just last week, I found a hairball in my shoe. I shiver at the thought. Thankfully, I spotted the thing before putting my shoe on.

I press the phone back to my ear, but the silence lingers.

“Lila? You still there?”

After a few seconds, she responds. “Call your hairstylist and explain it’s an emergency. Maybe they can fit you in.”

“That would be helpful if I had one,” I sigh. “Since I moved to the city, I’ve been working around the clock. I never found a stylist.”

“What about Harrison's assistant you always rave about?” Lila asks. “Maybe she knows someone.”

“That’s a great idea,” I exclaim, pausing when I glance up to find Harrison in the doorway.

He’s put on a pair of grey sweatpants, and his hair is damp but still just as orange as before.

“I better go,” I tell Lila. “He’s getting more anxious by the second and keeps running his hands through his hair like it’ll magically change back.”

Harrison shoots me a playful scowl.

“Of course, that’s what friends are for. Keep me updated,” Lila says.

“What’s the verdict?” Harrison asks. “Am I going to have to hide out in our penthouse forever?” he motions to his head.

I stifle a laugh. “You could always wear one of your hockey helmets,” I suggest.

He shakes his head. “Too soon.”

I close the distance between us, running a hand along his arm. “You’re right. Lila suggested calling Cabrina and having her send over a colorist to fix it.”

“That’s a good idea. Let me see if Presley or my mom knows anyone first.”

He pulls out his phone, and I watch as he texts his family chat.

Mom Still Wants More Grandkids

Harrison: Presley, Mom, do either of you know of a good hair stylist in New York? I’ve got a bit of a hair emergency.

Presley: Uh-oh, big brother. Found another gray hair you want to hide?

Mom: There’s no shame in that, sweetheart.

Cash: Wait. You dye your hair, Harrison?

Harrison: No.

Dylan: He must be going bald.

Mom: There’s no shame in that, either.

Harrison: I’m not going bald. There was a bleach mishap, and my hair is orange.

I bite back a chuckle as I read the exchange. Bless his heart for not ratting me out to his family. Though to be fair, they’d likely be on my side regardless.

Presley: OMG! That’s hilarious.

Cash: I need photo evidence stat.

Dylan: Not going to lie. I have to see it too.

Cash: The meme potential is endless

Mom: Stop picking on your brother.

Presley: Harrison is definitely Mom’s favorite.

Mom: Harrison, I have a contact who can fix it. She’ll be at your penthouse within an hour.

Harrison: Thanks, Mom.

He tucks his phone in his pocket and glances over at me.

“Your mom's a godsend,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. “And I just have to say, orange you the cutest,” I tease.

He raises a brow. “Aren’t you the reason I’m in this mess?”

“You’re supposed to forget that part,” I say with a peck to his lips. “For what it’s worth, I really am sorry.”

He tilts my chin so our eyes meet. “It’s a good thing I love you so much, trouble.”

Hearing those three words always makes my heart flutter. Even when I’ve caused a mess, he’s wholeheartedly mine—a reminder of just how lucky I truly am to be his.

“I love you too, Hotshot. Always.” I kiss him again, then pull out my phone, holding it out. “Now, hold still. I just need a quick picture.”

Harrison groans but doesn’t argue.

I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to find true happiness, but here I am with the man of my dreams. His unconditional love shows me that what we have is real and was worth giving him a chance.

***

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed your time with Harrison & Fallon. As an indie author, reviews are so helpful and make it easier for other readers to discover my books. If you enjoyed reading If You Give a CEO a Chance, please consider leaving a review on your preferred platform(s).

Thank you!

Xoxo,

Ann Einerson