“That was cozy.” I find Carl waiting for me in front of the building. I pull the door open and head for the elevators.

When I don’t respond he continues.

“How did tennis with Fred go?”

I don’t bother to answer but punch the button for the elevator.

“You’re chatty this morning. You’ve got a little something…” He motions to his lips and I lift my hand to wipe at my mouth.

“Chloe moved into my place.”

“That’s rather quick for a fake relationship.”

We step onto the open elevator.

“She got hit in the head with the ball at tennis, so I took her home and found out her apartment is a disaster. It needs work. It’s not safe, so I moved her into my place.”

“That’s why you’re a surly son of a bitch this morning?” My glare is met with Carl’s hands in the air. “No offense to JoAnna. I love your mother.”

“I’ll be able to control the situation better with Chloe at my place. It looks more believable than my girlfriend holed up in a dilapidated apartment.”

“It looks believable all right.” Carl shakes his head and we move back in the elevator so a woman can step on. “So, are you two,” he lifts his brows.

Two floors up, the door opens and the woman gets off, so I continue my conversation with Carl.

“No. It’s strictly business between Chloe and me. Everything is for the benefit of showing Fred I’m a settled man who he should sell his company to.”

The elevator doors open again and we step out onto our floor.

“I never doubt you; you’ve always got a plan.”

I nod. Carl’s right, I’m always in control. This thing with Chloe will be no exception. While I didn’t originally plan for her to move in, it’s better this way. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.

We push through the glass doors, then walk down the hallway toward the executive office wing.

“Have you heard of WordIt? It’s some kind of word game app.”

“Oh, yeah. Everyone is playing it. Lindsay loves it. It’s the first thing she does when she wakes up. She broke her streak the other day and she was not pleasant to be around.”

“Find the developer. Draw up an offer.”

“You want to buy the app?” Carl is surprised by my request. Hell, I am, too, but I don’t let it show.

“If it’s as popular as you say it is, it shouldn’t come as a shock. It’s in our wheelhouse and it’ll be an advertising goldmine.”

“You’re the boss.”

I nod. “Let me know what you come up with.”

“Sure thing.” Carl peels off toward his office and I continue on to mine.

Bea greets me with a smile.