Page 6 of Matrimonial Merger

“Stop,” I said. “I cannot hear you spiral into this negative place where you doubt yourself. For the thousandth time, I don’t give a fuck about the optics. I love you.”

“You can say that… but I’ve been a hot mess, Cal.”

“Baby, I do not care.” I kissed her forehead. “Daph, it will work out.”

“I have a legal nightmare across the Atlantic. We have a wedding in June—a wedding where I will be embarrassingly pregnant. And the press will go bananas?—”

“Well, Chandler’s trial is one thing. I cannot fix that, but I will remind you that you are testifying for yourself and every woman who has ever experienced that level of betrayal.”

“Revenge porn isn’t a good look for you. Quarter three calmed the board down and all these brand deals are keeping them happy, but a surprise pregnancy and being out on leave? That’safterthe honeymoon, the wedding, the media hype? It will go over like a brick.”

“The best part of this not being a publicly-traded company is that you can tell them to fuck off?—”

“As long as they don’t fire me.”

“Well that would be a violation of federal, state, and municipal law, Daphne. Put on your lawyer hat for a moment. That will not happen. And Davey? He’d hand them their asses.”

“He’s going to be so angry with me.”

I shook my head. “No. He will handle it. Give him a bit more credit.”

Daphne raised her eyebrows. “Are youdefendingDavey? Has hell frozen over?”

“He stood by you when it mattered, okay? He’s learning. And either way, he’s terrified of your mother and she’d lose her shit over this. No. You’re safe—there and here. Your priority should be your health, not optics or me or your family.”

“But it is overwhelming and?—”

“Cal!” Mom banged on the door. “We are going to be very late?—”

My eyes never leaving Daphne’s, I said, “It will still be there, Mom. I need a bit more time.”

She left in a huff.

“She’s driving me crazy and I’m over it,” Daphne said. “The next thing she says to me cross-wise, I’m going to lose my shit.”

“One moment,” I said, walking to the door and poking my head out. “Mom, I have to deal with something. Take the car and go ahead. The driver can pick us up after he drops you.”

“It will look bad?—”

“It won’t,” I assured her. “But I need a minute to handle something. Can you justpleasego and meet Chloe there. We will follow shortly behind.”

She crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and relented. “Fine. But… you better not ignore it. I got all dressed up forpoliticsand your god damn speech!”

“Yes, I am well-aware. And I will be there. Promise.”

“I will go,” Mom agreed.

I returned to Daphne, pulling the door closed. She looked at me tearfully and said, “Thank you. I just needed a minute.”

“I know. I did, too.”

“I’m sorry to spring this on you, but I cannot promise I won’t be miserable and sick, Cal.”

I gave her a long slow kiss, having to resit running my hands through her curls. Daphne’s mother had piled her hair up atop her head and I didn’t want to mess up all the good work.

“You shouldn’t apologize. I love you, Daphne Delphine. I only wanted to soak you up a bit more. This is good news.”

“It’s a mess.”

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