Page 11 of I Think They Love You

Auntie Cheryl glides into the room in a pencil skirt and geometric print blouse, box braids woven into a crown on top of her head. She sets two iPhones on the table before slipping into the chair closest to Kenneth. As his executive assistant, she keeps one of her devices strictly for work. The other is her personal phone. She’s the family’s gossip hotline, affectionately nicknamed Auntie C.C.—Carter Confidential.

“Well, well.”

Denz straightens at the new voice. Strutting toward the last chair is Auntie Eva, Cheryl’s fraternal twin. The ends of her auburn bob wig cut across her round cheeks. Her pleated minidress is at least two seasons ahead of anything on the Paris runways.She’s a former model turned private fashion stylist. The who’s who of clients knocking at her door are pretty impressive.

Denz isn’t sure why she’s at their Monday staff meeting. Eva doesn’t work for the company.

“Nephew?” She studies him with a sharp eyebrow raise. “Are you auditioning to be an extra in a Hallmark movie?”

“Told you,”Kami coughs into her hand.

“Is that…” Eva eyes his sweater. “J.Crew?”

“Ralph Lauren,” he says proudly.

Eva sighs. “Tragic. Certainly not thechoiceKamila’s made.”

A tight grin strains Kami’s mouth.

“Save the family reunion stuff for later,” Kenneth says. “Now that we’re all accounted for: I have an announcement to make beforesomeone”—He stares pointedly at Cheryl—“makes it for me.”

Cheryl lifts her eyes from her personal phone, unbothered.

“And I’m sure you’re all wondering why Eva’s here,” Kenneth continues.

Wary glances are shared around the room. Denz bites into a blueberry muffin, trying to temper the anticipation growing in his belly. His dad’s dramatic pause doesn’t help.

“I wanted my family present when I say this.” Another breath. “I’m retiring.”

It’s unnervingly quiet for a beat. Kenneth reclines in his chair, smiling as if he didn’t drop the most unexpected news ever. Denz, on the other hand, feels like he’s been crammed into one of those T-shirt cannons, waiting to be shot out into a crowd of starving sharks.

“You’re… what?”

“Stepping away as CEO of 24 Carter Gold,” Kenneth confirms. “It’s time.”

Time?He’s only fifty-eight. Denz isn’t certain how the whole pension thing works, but he swears that’s too young for retirement. And it’s not as if anyone’s trying to force him out. This city—hell,the worldadores him. Step aside Nicolas Cage, Kenneth Carter is the real national treasure.

Denz’s next question slips out during the congratulatory applause from the staff: “Who’s your successor?”

More silence. The aunties trade whispers. Kami’s curious eyes slide to Kenneth as he grabs a chocolate-chip muffin from the box. “Next week, we’ll send out a formal announcement,” he says. “After that, a wide search for the next CEO will be conducted.”

Eric chokes on his coffee when Cheryl says, annoyed, “You can’t do that, Kenny.”

“I’ve made my deci—”

Eva cuts him off. “It’s thewrongdecision.”

A mix of confusion and slow-blink shock spreads around the table. The twins are three years younger than Kenneth. That’s never stopped them from acting like they were here first.

“You can’t give the keys to a multimillion-dollar company—our family’s legacy—to some stranger who sent you a résumé on LinkedIn,” Eva chastises.

Kenneth chews his muffin thoughtfully. “And what’s your suggestion?”

“Keep it in-house,” Cheryl demands. “The next CEO should be someone whoknowsthis company. Who loves it.”

“Preferably a family member,” Eva says not so quietly.

“That’s not a requirement,” Kenneth insists.

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