Page 12 of Executive Decision

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Page 12 of Executive Decision

I opened the door.

“You did a great job, sweetheart. I am so proud of you for running this from start to close. I couldn’t have done the same at your age.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” I said.

He smiled broadly. “What is wrong?”

“Mum is driving her fucking nuts!” Lanie called.

“Don’t say fuck,” I corrected.

“You did,” Lanie batted back.

I rolled my eyes, “You’re a child.”

“Barely.”

Dad ignored it, focusing on my achievement. “Ignore Mum, okay? She’s all stressed and you know how she is. Go out, live a little. Get a drink before all of this begins.”

“It starts in like twenty minutes, Dad.”

“Not now. There were issues with the seating arrangement, and Anita went ballistic,” Dad said. “Go, be free. I’ll keep you Mum-free all night if it gives you both a breather.”

I hugged and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

5GOOD TROUBLE

Cal

I foundthe resort’s main bar empty. I’d made it to this little bit of Hawaii without much fuss. It was a long trip, but worth it to stand up in a wedding for two dear friends, Sarah and Erik. Engaged for two years, they booked the entirety of the latest and greatest resort for a wedding that might make the history books. The dead bar confused me.

I sidled up and popped down.

“You in the wedding, sir?” The bartender asked.

“Yes. Where is everyone?”

“There was an incident with the arrival dinner floorplan. The bride’s mother lost it. They’ve pushed it back ninety minutes.”

“Damn,” I chuckled, “All dressed up and nowhere to go.”

“Good time to have a drink, sir. What can I get you?”

“What is good?”

“A Mai Tai usually does the trick around here.” He winked.

“Sure, of course. Let’s start there.”

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my emails. One came from the boss man just a couple of minutes before. David Delphine never stopped working.

The bartender fixed my cocktail. I scrolled more before typing a response to next year’s spring campaign proposals. Consumed with business and sipping my drink, I barely noticed the woman who’d arrived.

“Just anything. Anything with liquor.”

I spied Daphne wearing a swishy cocktail dress, her wavy blonde hair pinned atop her head. I tried not to stare because it would give me away. I hadn’t learned my lesson. I enjoyed her slightly grumpy look with a flare to her nostrils and sense of expediency.

“Are you alright, Daphne?” I asked.


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