Page 36 of Power Move
I maintained a smile. “Well, good for him.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll leave you. Let’s have Ellie for lunch sometime before I turn into a pumpkin. Well, before I become agiantpumpkin! Nice meeting you, Ellie.”
“You, too!” Ellie said cheerfully.
Ellie waited for the door to close, “Well, that’s fucking awkward. He’s in a good mood, Eva.”
“Good god, please stop!” I pled. “Now, get the hell out of here and go shopping or whatever. I have shit to do and it has nothing to do with a man.”
Davey
“Daph, throw me a bone. Norm likes beautiful women. The least you could do is come to the dinner,” I realized I just called my sister abeautiful woman. “I mean, you are a conventionally attractive person he will prefer to me.”
“No can do,” Daphne grimaced.
“Why?”
She held onto the arm of her chair. “God damn lightning crotch.”
“Excuse me?”
Was it a band? A commentary on Norm’s suspected previous infidelity? Norm Palchuck was a notorious money guy. He was also a total pain in the ass and preferred blondes. Normally, Daphne would have allowed it.
“Lightning crotch is when the baby kicks or jams it’s headinto my cervix and causes it to feel like there is lightning down there. That’s the medical term.”
I didnotwant to think about Daphne’s cervix, but remained mature. I made a mental note to look it up.
“Look, I need someone, or he will ignore me, throw a fit, and go on a tirade. Ever since his wife died, he’s not been the same. Are Chloe and Delanie around?”
“Delanie is working. Chloe is competing. They are both busy.”
Delanie was our actress sister, and Chloe was Cal’s hot younger sister who held onto his shares since he couldn’t vote on any matter without it being a conflict of interest. She was also the resident horse girl and Chief Influencer Officer. Either one would have pleased the old bastard to no end and would have been game to be charming.
Eva passed outside, headed to the snack bar.
“I’ll ask Eva,” I said.
“You willnotask her!” Daphne exclaimed. “She shouldn’t have to deal with him. She’smydirect report.”
“Please. I’m desperate.”
I didn’t want to take Eva, but knew she’d fit the bill. Maybe she’d even feel special for being picked to wine and dine with a board member. I would never let him get away with anything with her present and knew she’d not tolerate his bullshit anyway.
“If she wants to go, tell her everything andthenlet her decide. If you don’t tell her, I will, and you’ll look like an ass.”
Daphne stood.
“Yes, Daph,” I followed. “Promise.”
“I’m off to meet with ops. See you at Mom’s this weekend.”
She headed out and I dashed across the way to try to find Eva. She stood at the espresso machine waiting for a shot. I knew she’d had a long day because her hair was pulled back tightly in a clip but still spilled from it. Looking at her from this angle, I could see slight changes in her body. She rested a handon her stomach the way Daphne did. I wondered if pregnant womentrainedthemselves to do it or if it just happened. Was it organic or learned through observation?
“Don’t look at me like that!” She didn’t even turn.
“Like what?” I chuckled.
“Like you’re judging me for consuming caffeine.”
