Page 55 of Executive Decision

“I hated seeing you with him that morning,” Cal said.

I stopped, hands gripping the dishes and processed it.

“It felt unfair, Daphne. And if your dad hadn’t offered me a major real estate investment that morning, I might have been less of a coward and told you how I felt. Is that what you want to hear? That I wasn’t brave enough to possibly upset the apple cart? That money seemed more important than a fling? Because I know what you’re thinking?—”

I spun. “Cal, I don’t blame you or see it that way. You know I was railroaded into taking Chandler back. Sleeping with me was a bad idea.”

I lowered the plate. I peeled back the dish foil, trying to ground myself in the moment.

“Itwasa bad idea. I risked a lot—stupidly,” Cal said. “But unless you saw it as predatory—my onlyrealconcern—I don’t regret it.”

I brought plates and silverware back to the table.

“I was a grown woman,” I said. “It was stupid based on your position in the company and that you were my father’s confidant. Nothing about it wasbad. Of course, I’m sure you just returned to sleeping with whomever you were sleeping with, right? I was a blip.”

Cal scowled. “Daphne, that’s not my MO.”

“You don’t have to lie,” I snickered. “I’m a big girl. This was ancient history, Cal.”

“Daphne, that isn’t me. You’re… that’s not me.”

Cal took a bite, annoyed.

“You don’t mind leftovers?”

He chuckled. “No. I was raised on them—as a latchkey kid. I couldn’t be picky. I wasn’t raised like a princess in a tower. I had to fend for myself while my mother built her business.”

I crossed my arms.

“Daphne, you’re a good cook. Relax.”

I hated that shit. He didn’t get to talk down to me like I was some petty little girl.

“I’m spoiled, but I’ve been through hell in the past decade, okay? I tied myself to an asshole who abused me in every way imaginable for the duration of our marriage. I assure you I wasn’t treated like a princess. Don’t infantilize me, Cal.”

“I wouldn’t,” Cal said. “You should have been treated like a queen. You deserve all of that and more, Daphne. I am sorry, Daph. For all of it.”

“Then don’t speak to me like that, Cal.”

“Sorry. You hit a nerve.”

“What nerve?”

“I’m not a player, okay? Or at least… I wasn’t. Now, that’s impossible. And someone my age probably shouldn’t run around like that. But that’s never been it. I don’t do one-night stands.”

“The legendary Cal Markham doesn’t do one-night stands?” I laughed. “Never?”

“Never,” Cal said.

“What were we then?”

“It didn’t feel like that, Daphne,” Cal said. “This is a mistake. I shouldn’t have?—”

He looked uncomfortable, making me reconsider baiting him.

“Cal, don’t,” I said. “Sorry. I just assumed all men who remain in your current position are just chasing women left and right. I never… considered… you know?”

“What? Considered what?”

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