“The annual children’s hospital foundation gala is this Friday,” he said.

“We’re scheduled to host the silent auction in the main ballroom.”

I watched a gray squirrel dart up the trunk of a huge elm tree.

“You want me to come to the gala with you.”

“I want us to show a united front to the shareholders,” he said.

He leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees.

“The business press loves a corporate scandal, and that video of you leaving the Teterboro tarmac is already causing whispers.”

He looked up at me with those wide brown eyes.