Page 18 of He Falls First

The heiress becomes surprisingly compliant at Briar’s tone. “OK.” She turns to Sagan. “See you around, I hope.”

I think everyone can feel Sagan’s eyes on her as we leave the tattoo parlor.

Esme hands Briar the keys to the Prius, gets into the passenger seat, and waits.

“I guess this is it,” Briar says, turning to me as I hover at her side.

“Is it?” The ache in my chest grows as if my heart knows she’s almost out of reach.

Briar smiles up at me. “Thank you so much for all your help.”

She has more to say, but she hesitates.

I open my arms to offer her a hug.

With eyes shining, she reaches up and pulls me down for a kiss on the lips.

Shocking, sensual, and unexpected. My three favorite things.

Briar’s lips are soft and insistent. In response, my hand automatically goes to her hair, brushing her loose curls away from her face.

She pulls away before I’ve even gotten started.

“Really,” she breathes. “Thank you so much.”

seven

Briar

I lie in bed and assess the damage done on the first day of an internship.

One: I left the property with Esme after Frye told me that was against the rules.

Two: Esme broke the law by driving a car without a license.

Three: We missed dinner.

Four: She ate tons of sugar, which is no doubt objectionable to the nutritionist.

Five: She fucking stole a car — which nobody needs to know about because I stupidly forgot to get the keys back from her.

Six: She got a tattoo. While that was not expressed as against the rules, I’m pretty sure Frye is gonna freak the fuck out on that one.

I’m toast.

“Way to go, Briar. You are officially the worst intern in the history of interns.”

Let’s face it. Esme doesn’t need an intern. She needs a no-nonsense Victorian governess. That is not what I signed up for.

I thought I could pivot. I thought I could handle any curveballs thrown my way. I know who I am. I’m a badass.

Despite everything that happened tonight, I smile to myself as I take in my surroundings. Look at me. I’m still here. I got to meet Esme Fucking Bryant. I toured the castle. I am sleeping in a bed that no one has slept in in probably decades. What a story I’ll have to tell my suite mates when I go back to college!

My phone pings, startling me out of the staring contest I’m currently having with the canopy hanging over me.

Maybe that’s one of my suite mates now.

Hey, you didn’t let me know if you made it home safely.