Twenty minutes later, Chelsea was back in my office. I hated it, but all I could think about as soon as she stepped in and I got another glimpse of her legs was how much I wanted her again. The woman had a hold on me that I couldn’t shake.

“You want me to be in an executive meeting?” she asked, shutting the door behind her. “I know this is part of your new business promotion, but I’m serious when I say I don’t know the first thing about executive business.”

“That’s the whole point,” I said. “You want to move up in this company, you’re going to have to learn how things work at the top level. And being present in these meetings will be the first step in that process.”

She nodded, appearing to get it. But Chelsea still looked nervous as hell about the whole thing.

“Listen,” I said, stepping around the desk and placing my hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to tell you this as many times as it takes before you get it—I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that I didn’t think you could handle.”

She took in a deep breath.

“Just seems so intimidating, is all. Makes me wish I was back at the beginning of starting my company, when writing apps was the only thing I needed to worry about.”

“You do what I know you’re capable of, and you’ll be moving up to the top of the pyramid. This is your chance to show you’ve got what it takes. And for now, all you have to do is listen and learn.”

“Listen and learn,” she repeated. “I think I can handle that.”

“I know you can,” I said. “So, let’s do this.”

I opened the door, and the two of us were off. After a quick trip through the hallway, we arrived at the conference room doors.

“You ready?” I asked.

“Ready.”

The two of us stepped into the vast room, the space dominated by a long, twenty-four-person table, the back window clear glass that looked out onto the city. The front wall held a massive TV screen along with a podium. The executives had already arrived, a dozen and a half men and women in professional attire all seated along the table, their eyes locking on me as soon as I entered.

“Just take a seat down at the end,” I said quietly to Chelsea.

She hurried down to one of the free seats at the end of the table and slid into it.

“How about a congratulations for the recently engaged?” called out Martin Waller, one of the senior execs.

Polite applause broke out in the room, and I watched as Chelsea’s face took on a slight blush. I smiled and raised my hand, the applause soon fading.

“Thank you all,” I said. “It’s been a hell of a week for Chelsea and me, and I’m sure we’ve got much more celebrating to come. But for now, I’d like to get right into the matters at hand.” I turned my attention to Chelsea. “For those who don’t know, Chelsea Lane is one of the founders of Illimitable Technologies, one of the companies we’ve recently brought into the fold.”

Hunter flashed me a thumbs-up accompanied by a toothy, boyish grin.

“There’s a reason she’s here, and it’s not just so I can show her off, as tempting as that might be.”

Light chuckles sounded out from the group.

“Chelsea and I met in an elevator, as you’ve probably heard, but we’ve been working closely throughout the process of going through potential candidates to serve as an executive liaison between the new tech department and those of us on the top floor. So do your best to make her feel welcome, and I’ll be most appreciative.”

I hit a few keys on the laptop in front of me, turning on the TV behind me and bringing up a satellite image of San Francisco.

“Now, as you all know, right now is a period of major change for Carver Holdings. The investments we’ve been making over the last few years have been paying off, and we’re on the precipice of shifting from a mere investor to an actual producer. The tech department will be the first of many new production wings of this new conglomerate. And behind me is another, the one that I’m potentially the most proud of.”

I typed in a few more keys, zooming in on the southeastern portion of the peninsula.

“The Bayview,” I said, gesturing toward the screen. “For too long has it been one of the more troubled areas of the city. Crime and poverty have reduced one of the most beautiful parts of the city to one of the most violent. Many consider this neighborhood to be a write-off, just one more neighborhood doomed to be left behind. But I don’t see it that way.”

A few more keystrokes and the image zoomed in even further, locking in on a street-level view of a block full of run-down tenement buildings.

“It’s no secret that San Francisco building code is some of the most restrictive in the country. Hell, maybe even in the world. Due to tight municipal regulations, most investors see low-income housing as an unprofitable investment. After all, why spend millions of dollars to house the worst-off when you could spend that same amount and build luxury condos for the wealthy?”

“Damn good question,” said Hunter.

I raised my hand to silence him. “It takes quite a bit of money and influence to build low-income housing in this city. But the good news is that after this final round of investments goes through, Carver Holdings will be able to make it happen.”

A keystroke here and a click there and the run-down buildings on the screen were replaced by clean, modern apartment buildings, perfect for families of modest means.

“Housing on the top for low-income families, and businesses on the street level. Just what these neighborhoods need to get back on their feet. There’s going to be a housing revolution in this city, and the Carver Units in Bayview are going to be the first step.”

Alice, one of the executives, spoke up.

“This all sounds impressive,” she said, “but you’re speaking about the next round of investments as though they’re a done deal. Don’t we have a major holdout with Damien Winter?”

I shared a knowing look with Chelsea before turning my attention back to Alice.

“We’ve still got a few investors on the fence, Mr. Winter being one of them. But I had a brief meeting with him recently, and he appears to be coming around. If Damien decides to move forward, it’ll give the rest of the investors the confidence to come on board.”

Approving murmuring sounded from the executives. But Alice was right—Damien hadn’t signed on yet. However, I could tell that seeing I was engaged had made quite the impression on him. If I could hold this fake marriage together, then I was confident he’d go through with the investment.

But without him, the low-income housing would go no further than the mock-ups on the TV behind me.

“And what’s the reason we’re even bothering with low-income housing?” asked Hunter. “I say we do what everyone else is doing and just build the fancy stuff. More money, more prestige— what’s not to like?”

I could tell Hunter wasn’t done with his objections, so I stepped in. “Because a city comprised of nothing but million-dollar condos is a city that doesn’t function. A city needs people from all walks of life, not just millionaire tech workers. It’ll make our company look damn good, and what’s more, it’s the right thing to do.”

I sensed that doing the right thing didn’t matter one bit to Hunter. He was in it for the money. But lucky for me, my name was on the front of the building, not his.

Hunter opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get even a word out, I held up my hand. He got the hint.

“The purpose of this meeting is to outline my plans for the near future. If anyone has any objections, I’d be happy to hear them in private and after the meeting.”

Hunter nodded slowly, a one-on-one obviously on his mind.

“And during this time,” I went on, “we’re going to continue our acquisitions of promising local companies. My fiancée Chelsea is an employee of one of these acquisitions, and though she might be a biased source, I’m sure she’d tell you that being a part of the Carver family has worked out well for her and her fellow employees.”

Chelsea nodded politely. Thankfully, her expression didn’t betray her frustration at her company being subsumed into mine.

I spent the rest of the meeting going over a few promising companies I thought were worth looking into in future purchasing decisions. After a few more quick questions, the meeting was over.

The execs filed out of the room, leaving only me and Chelsea and Hunter. Once he noticed he was alone with both of us, he spoke up.

“I wanted to ask some questions, but if you two want to do some wedding planning or whatever, don’t let me stop you.“

“If you could give us a minute alone, darling,” I said to Chelsea. “Why don’t you go grab some lunch? Head down to the Primrose down the block and give them my name. They’ll make sure to open up a table for you.”

“You mean our name,” said Chelsea with a smile as she bounded up from her chair.

I had to smile at how well she was playing the part.

“Before too long,” I said as she stole a quick kiss on the way out. “I’ll meet you down there when I’m done here.”

She flashed me another smile over her shoulder as the door shut behind her, and I couldn’t help but devour her with my eyes as she left. Hunter tapped at his phone before slipping it back into his pocket.

A silence hung in the air after she had left, only broken by the steady ticking of the antique clock on the wall.

“You’re serious about this?” asked Hunter, pointing to the mock-up of the low-income housing.

“You think I mentioned it as a joke?”

Hunter sat back in his chair, folding his hands across his slim stomach. “How long have I been a part of Carver?” he asked.

“Nearly as long as I’ve run it. Back when we were nothing more than a shared office in the Mission.”

“That’s right,” he said. “And at any point during my time here, have you ever known me to give advice or offer an opinion that might steer this little outfit in the wrong direction?”

“Get to the point,” I said, not in the mood to play his game.

He stood up and gestured toward the screen. “This is a bad idea,” he said. “I’m not going to pussyfoot around it. Bryce, we’re a company, not a charity.”

“We’re a conglomerate,” I said. “At least, that’s the plan. And a socially minded division is going to be a key component of that.”

“Oh, I get that,” he said, raising his palms. “You made that abundantly clear. But it’s a loser. The resources you’re investing in this could be better invested in the technology division, or the IT services department, or hell, anything else.”

“Being as profit-minded as always,” I said.

“And why wouldn’t I be? I’m in this game to make money and build up this company in the process. And I can’t just stand around while you piss away money and manpower during such a delicate time for us on some Boy Scout shit.”

He was taking a tone with me that I didn’t care for one goddamn bit.

“Piss away?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “First of all, check your tone, Hunter. Second, this social enterprise initiative is a chance to do some good in this city. And if that’s not enough for you, getting this program off the ground will make us look great to investors in the future, which means more opportunities for expansion.”

Hunter shook his head. “I’m not convinced. From where I’m standing, it looks like you’re taking an unnecessary risk so you can play philanthropist.”

“That’s the nice thing about being CEO,” I said, my voice taking on a hard edge. “I don’t have to care if you’re convinced.”

He narrowed his eyes, and the two of us regarded one another with icy glares.

“This is a bad idea, Bryce,” he said, finally speaking up. “And I’d bet you anything I’m not the only person in the meeting who feels this way. I was just the only one with enough balls to speak up.”

“You’ve made your point,” I said. “Now—” I gestured to the conference room doors, and with one last scoff, Hunter stormed out.

I stood in silence for a time, letting my blood cool after the conversation. But one thing was for sure—this wasn’t going to be the end of it.