“I really like it,” I tell her. “It suits you.”
“Thanks,” she says easily. “Wilby had the entire place deep cleaned, and I have a brand-new bed.”
I shake my head at the reminder. “Gotta erase the evidence of the turd.”
She grimaces. “And Belladonna, my sister.” She eyes the couch. “I should probably burn this, too.”
I laugh. “I think the couch is fine.”
We settle in on her sofa, and she picksHow to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. The opening credits roll just as the door buzzes. A doorman, whom she apparently knows well and enjoys chatting with, brings in the pizza and sets the boxes on her gleaming white kitchen countertops.
She thanks him and catches up with him like they’re old friends. Before he leaves, she gives him a hug. I smile because that doesn’t surprise me at all that she’s friends with her doorman.
She grabs paper towels and two plates. “Moment of truth.”
We open the boxes, and I inhale the aroma. The perfect pizza to fold and eat.
“I had to try Joe’s first,” she says. “I haven’t had this in over a year since my mother had me on a ridiculous wedding diet.”
I am not looking forward to her mother. I have a feeling we’re not going to like each other. She treats Silvie like trash.
“Yep. This is as good as I remember.” She chews and moans, and holy shit, that sound goes straight to my dick. I try to focus on the pizza.Don’t think of her like that, I tell myself.She’s your fake wife.
We swap and take a bite of each other’s and nod like we’re serious judges on a very important panel.
And then we stop and look at each other. “Mine’s better,” we both say at the same time.
Then we burst out laughing.
She grabs another slice, and I snag a couple of sodas from her fridge for us. We already operate and move like we’ve been doing this for years. With Silvie, things are just easy. We make our way back to the sofa, plates in hand, the city glowing around us.
I take another bite of pizza and watch her as she settles in next to me and crosses her legs. She picks up her plate from the coffee table and settles in.
“So, what happens tomorrow?” I ask.
She doesn’t even look up, just chews and swallows, and says, “Tomorrow we measure our dicks and make sure they’re the same size. If anyone has any problems, we clean house.”
I cough and cover my mouth, then reach for my soda. “Jesus, Silvie.”
She laughs, and her eyes are bright and unapologetic. “I’m serious. You’re about to meet corporate Silverlyn. She’s a barracuda.”
“I can tell,” I say, still laughing. And I can’t wait.
She wipes her hands on a napkin and leans back. She’s so casual, and at home here, it’s cool to watch. “Some people don’t want to see me succeed as CEO. They don’t want to see a woman in charge. Especially one who isn’t asking for permission. This is my company, and I worked hard for it.”
She continues, and I chew as I listen to her.
“And I wouldn’t have this without you, Cal. I’m so thankful for you. For being here with me by my side. You’re a big part of this.”
My smile fades a little, and she keeps going.
“They’re either going to get on board,” she says calmly, “or get off. I’ll be doing what I have to do.”
There’s certainty and confidence in her voice. “We’re not changing the company,” she adds. “My dad was running it well. He and I will be a great team until he decides to retire. But the old men cronies who can’t stand to see a woman in charge will be an issue.”
I nod, impressed and a little in awe. “That sounds...messy.”
She grins. “It might be painful to watch.”
