Page 121 of Executive Decision

“Uh, Daph, it’s me,” Cal said.

I tried to choke my brownie down and pull myself together.Why was he here? He hadn’t even texted first!

“Uh… go away?” I winced. “I am a disaster and… I don’t know what to say.”

“Daph, I doubt that is true. On your worst day, you’re still wonderful,” Cal said. “And you don’t have to know what to say. I don’t either except I am so sorry.”

I sighed, took a deep breath, and set the brownie down.

“Come in, but you’re about to regret ever bothering with me.”

Cal entered the study slowly. “I sincerely doubt any of that is true, baby.”

I wanted to believe him. He’d seen me bruised, battered, and covered in dirt, but I hadn’t showered or brushed my hair. My face was puffy from tears. I was a disaster.

He pulled the door closed. “I’m so relieved you’re alright.”

“I am alive,” I said. “I am not sure I’d say I was alright.”

“Can I sit?” Cal asked.

I shrugged. He sat on the sofa—a safe distance from me. I worried the space signaled something sinister.

“I love you,” Cal said. “And… you’re beautiful… so please don’t say you’re a mess.”

“I am a definite mess.”

“Well, you’remybeautiful, definite mess.”

His.

I squeezed his hand and turned to his gaze, his big brown eyes melting me. “I am sorry you had to clean up my PR disaster, Cal. I feel awful.”

“Oh, baby, please don’t. What happened was awful. It was abuse. If they cannot see it, then I don’t need to care about them.”

“The DNC, though? What is the plan, Cal. You want to go above that?”

“I’d like to run for senate?—”

“Cal, I don’t want?—”

He gripped my knee and cut me off. “Daphne, I don’t care about that right now. I want you more. I asked myself what I’d regret most. I asked myself over and over and every time you won out. Because, as Chloe reminded me, I want everything with you, and I need to tell you. It’s too soon. It’s too fast and probably frightening for both of us, but I want to have alifewith you.”

I fell silent and tears rolled.

“Daphne, my place is so lonely without you. I missed you every day. And… I just want you near me. Always. Because you make me happy and because you deserve to be treated like a queen for once in your fucking life.”

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say. I’d been here before, but maybe the movie ended differently this time?

* * *

Cal

Daphne stared—almost through me—speechless. I laid it all bare, telling her exactly what I wanted. I told her what I needed. I couldn’t stop myself. Emotions ran over and I couldn’t hold back. What I wanted with Daphne was a lifetime. I already missed too much, so if I could have her in my life, I wanted it more than anything.

“Cal, I… I couldn’t...”

Her words drifted and I sank. I dropped her gaze, fighting my own tears.

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