Page 76 of Executive Decision

“Hi,” I said. “Your door guys are really on it.”

“I told them to expect you,” Cal said. “You took the dress off.”

“Long story,” I winced. “Besides, if I am going to leave here on a walk of shame tomorrow, I won’t want to do it in an evening gown.”

“Good point.” Cal paused, then pulled my chin towards his lips.

He leaned, planting the sweetest kiss. I lost myself again, intoxicated with the way he made me feel.

Casually, he asked, “You want a beer?”

“Uh, sure,” I answered. “Why not?”

Cal opened a pilsner from a local brewery and handed it over. “Summer beer, you know?”

I sipped. “It works.”

“So, do you have enough votes yet?” Cal got down to brass tax.

“I think I will as long as your guy comes through.”

“My guy will strike as soon as probate signs off. Don’t move before,” Cal said. “And my guy isn’t a guy.”

“Can you introduce me to them?”

“I can set up a meeting soon,” Cal said. “I want to be mindful of how this all works.”

“I understand. The Menendezes are good. They want to see the store go back to a luxury op. I am designing a full business plan for my board deck.”

“So, you know what you’re asking for?”

“I want to be named president. I am going to give David the chance to do that. If not, we’ll go to the board. But I don’t want anyone in the family to say I railroaded or humiliated him. I will broach it when the time is right.”

“Hopefully, I’m through probate soon,” Cal said.

“I have your watch in my room. It’s in my safe,” I said. “Once it’s done, I will bring it to you.”

Cal pulled me close again, kissing my forehead. “It’s okay, I’m more worried about you.”

“Me?”

“This is a lot, Daphne. And I know you said you were dealing with your attorney?—”

“Chandler is a dick,” I sighed. “But I’ve known that for going on fifteen years. It’s fine. I’m okay.”

“And… the pills?” Cal asked.

“Ah, that. Well, I’m starting them, seeing as how my body has pickedthis eveningto spot and have a period. I’m not pregnant. So, stop worrying about a love child with a Delphine overshadowing your mayoral tenure.”

Cal’s brow furrowed, as if I struck him. “Daphne, I wasn’t worried about that. I was worried aboutyou. My concerns were for you—not my hide.”

“Be that as it may?—”

He cut me off. “No. Daph, you’re the one I care about here. I can take things on the chin. I don’t need you to worry about me. I’m a big boy. You’re the one with a bunch of simultaneous storms overhead.”

“Cal, you have protests?—”

“And they benefit me politically. Chloe is out there marching. If I felt concerned about it, I would have called her home. Not that she’d listen, but I wouldtry. I’m not worried about it. Yes, it’s stressful and there’s a lot of chess maneuvering, but I was mostly worried about you thinking I was a fucking asshole.”

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