enthouse. He woke in a bed draped in silk sheets and surrounded by designer pillows. After

is sat at the marble island, sipping coffee while scrolling headlines on his

chel joined him on deck for a business meeting, champagne glasses in hand, the ocean bree

a trendy co-working space. He pitched his latest startup

e-his childhood friends and now business partners. They dined on caviar and cham

got a word at the Gala. You were busy enter

osening his collar.

n... and lady, I'm thrilled to announce my

"Seriously? You've a

a soft spot for the South. Time to g

head. "What's the

e-of-the-art R&D facility. It'll b

ressed. "Whoa. Wh

y it'll shake up the industry

u're a genius. When

vis said. "But trust me

vis's new venture. May it bring

Austin added as th

tside. The view throu

owing a launch party at the renovated old Hou

o way! That place is

e," Jamie

o the who's who of A

ed. "This is

e Instagram captions... Party with Ge

avis enjoyed the nightlife almost as much as being

cial place in his heart-and Austin? Like a brother. He'd practicall

window overlooking the glowing skyline. The city shimmered, busy as ever, but inside, everything was

A few rings in, Virginia Lorringt

om

her sixties. Her silver hair was swept into a neat bun, and she

"You're glowing on every social feed tonight. Another gal

r. Just dinner with

h that regal tone that always reminded him

e said, then sipped his drink. "Actual

on softened. "You'r

lowly. "The R&D hub. Right

our father would have-" she paused, then gave a graceful smi

or legacy. I just... I want to build something that mat

odded. "I

nt. The unspoken memories betw

kid building rockets in the garage and p

mom who brought lemonade and said,

" she said. "Just don't lose you

slightly. "Too

"Not if you still cal

oth la

hrough his hair

afar. And when you throw that Georgia launch party,

'll have a seat reserve

. "Make sure it

r goodnights.

hing in his chest pulled-not quite nostalgia, not quite longing. Maybe just

into bed and let the hu