Page 103 of Executive Decision

“I have a date—a real date. A date out in the world!”

I couldn’t hide my excitement. My divorce was signed. For now, I was an almost divorced woman, and Cal was willing to chance a public dinner. I’d gone all out on a new dress and shoes.

“Where are you going?”

“Bolgheri. It was my choice.”

I finished, fluffing my hair.

“You didn’t straighten it?” My mother grimaced.

“Cal likes it down, and so do I.”

After twelve years of straightening my hair at least five times a week to please others, I was done. Cal didn’t care. He loved me with wild hair. He loved me when I woke in the morning.

“I think it looks?—”

“It’s my hair, Mum,” I said, annoyed. “Can you just for once let me be happy? Cal wants to take me on a nice date. Do you know how long it has been since a man has taken me anywhere that wasn’t a political gathering or charity event?”

Mum looked down. “I suppose I could be more supportive. I don’t love you dating him, though.”

“I am well aware.”

I pushed my clutch bag under my arm and turned to the door.

“The dress is nice. I hope he is always so good to you.”

“He will be. He always has been,” I said. “Can you just… reserve judgement? The man loves me. And he shows me in every way how much he cares. I’ve never had someone fawn over me like this.”

“I know he didn’t at the end but Chandler was always?—”

“Mum, that’s what love bombing looks like. It’s not healthy. Now, I have to go.”

I opened the door, still shaking at my mother comparing Cal to Chandler. They had the same job, but they weren’t anywhere near similar.

The restaurant was a few blocks away—a trendy spot between Cal’s place and mine. He somehow managed to get a roof deck table. The hostess seated me as Cal wasn’t yet there. Looking over Lake Michigan, I realized I’d be miserable back in London right about now. There were days I’d miss it like mad. I still planned to go back. However, for now, I was happy with things here. I never thought I’d say that. I spent my entire life trying to run far from my family’s shadow. Now, I was glad to be home.

Cal eventually arrived, giving me a surprisingly long kiss before sitting.

“Should we really be doing that?” I shifted nervously.

“Do you notwantto?” Cal asked. “It’s been a couple of days and I missed you.”

“I do,” I said. “And I like it. But… if people?—”

He kept his voice low. “If people see us, they’ll think I’m the lucky man who was able to land a hot young girlfriend and let it go.”

I blushed.

“You look gorgeous, by the way. It’s going to be a shame when I toss that dress on the floor in a couple of hours.”

“Cal!” I giggled. “Stop it!”

The waiter approached. “Do we have requests for wine? Any starters?”

I looked across the table at Cal. “I was thinking we could do a cocktail to start, get the charcuterie, and then decide on mains and order wine?”

“What she said,” Cal sat his menu down.

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