Page 24 of Executive Decision

Chandler took the dress from the wardrobe and carefully pulled the hanger. “Your mother is like a drill sergeant.”

“I know,” I sighed. “Some things never change.”

* * *

Cal

“Kristy, I have to go. This is a critical?—”

“You have to go or you just don’t want David’s rich friends to be offended?” My girlfriend, Kristy, demanded.

I shook my head and leaned on the doorframe of my condo’s bathroom, trying not to lose my cool. She was beautiful, but I’d somehow set her off. I had theworsttiming.

“Kristy, baby, you know that I am showing up because it’s Dora’s sweet sixteen. It’s a big deal. Everyone is going.”

She threw down her toothpaste on the vanity in annoyance and began applying her makeup aggressively. “Don’t look at me like that!”

“What?”

“With puppy dog eyes!” She waved a makeup brush at me before bending over to apply something to her brows, inching closer to the mirror. “It’s a black-tie event for a teenager.”

“Kristy, David is your boss?—”

“Yes, well, I’m just the help.Youare the one he wants there.”

“Kristy, I do not have time to fight about this?—”

“Just admit it. Ever since Eric Stevenson came up to you and suggested you should run for mayor; you’ve been lining up endorsements. Cal Markham has once more moved his own goalpost.”

“Kristy, we don’t?—”

“We don’t what? Cal, I’ve stood in the background watching you win awards and make money and accomplishallyour dreams.”

Ever since I confided in her about our local kingmaker’s interest in running me as a reform candidate, she never let it go. Kristy didn’t understand that none of this was set in stone.

“And that means so much to me, baby. God, you’re my rock!” I said. “I am not going to do anything to?—”

“I want to build my own business, live a life I am proud of, and answer to no one, Cal. I do not want to be a politician’s wife. You know just how much I hate stuffy society parties. I’m not doing this for the company. I’m doing it for you. I’m all a part of your strategy.”

I balled my fists and turned.

“It was my turn, Cal!” Kristy called. “It was supposed to bemyturn.”

I spun. “Kristy, I promised you that when the building was done?—”

“No. You won’t, though. You won’t stop. If you’re mayor, I’m not building a business.”

“It’s years from now, Kristy. I know you want me to take a backseat, but can’t we both?—”

“You loathe the idea of me flitting between here and New York. I will need to do that for two years. If you’re running for mayor, what would the press think? It’s better if we end it. It’s better if you just find the perfect political wife who will smile, nod, and just do what you need her to do. We’re not getting married. I’m not settling for the shadows. And I’m not a mayor’s wife.”

I adjusted my tie. “Can we rehash this at another time?”

Kristy turned from the mirror. “Fine. But this isn’t a place I’m willing to negotiate. Let’s table it.”

I checked my watch. “We’re running so late, Kristy.”

“Go ahead. Schmooze and apologize to David that I’m late. Make up an excuse.”

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