Page 63 of Executive Decision

“Chloe, she’s not mine. Kristy used a sperm donor. I wasnotthe donor.”

Chloe shrugged and tossed her shoes aside, losing half a foot in height.

“What are you up to?”

“I went to a polo match, but I got bored. You said you wanted to talk, but we were out of town all weekend in some mysterious place. What do you want to talk about?”

I returned to my living room and sat the baby down. Chloe plopped on the couch beside me.

“Why is the baby here? Are you and Kristy?—”

“No. She had to run her sister to urgent care. Something about needing stitches or something.”

“Oh. Well, she’s fucking adorable.”

“She is, yeah,” I said while the baby rolled to Chloe, blowing bubbles. “Reminds me of you at that age, kid.”

“What do you need, big brother?” Chloe groaned.

“Uh… I need you to become my proxy.”

“For what?”

“For my shares in Delphine Holdings. David left me shares, but I cannot exercise them as the mayor. I have a huge conflict of interest. I want you to take them over.”

Chloe giggled. “Why? What?”

“Because I trust you to represent my interests. And… I think you and Daphne are about to fuck shit up.”

“How?”

“Well, it’s a little complicated, but Davey is running the company into the ground and refuses to listen to Daphne.”

“What, Davey being a chode? Never!” Chloe laughed.

“He needs to be taken down a peg.”

“So, how did you hear this hot dish? Lanie has saidnothing.”

“I heard it from Daphne. Long story.”

Chloe raised her eyebrows and tilted her head. “Are you… the two of you?”

“What? No!” I lied.

“Uh-huh. Itotallybuy that.”

“That is aridiculousidea.”

“Yep. Ridiculous.” Chloe looked at her nails, then playfully blew a raspberry at Laurie.

How does she know?

“You’re an idiot. All men are fucking idiots! Cal, you spent the entire gala talking to her—hanging on her every word. And yes, she lookedimpeccable, but how you looked at her pained everyone around you. You got itbadfor her.”

“She’s too young for me, and she’s David’s daughter.”

“Yes, because any of that matters when she’s over the age of thirty and your bestie is dead. What is he going to do, reanimate and come cut off your balls? Get over yourself. Fuck her or don’t, but if you don’t, you’re stupid. She’s hot and needs a rebound, so you should hit it.”

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