ng of bodies to a plush booth alrea

the music, "this is my best friend, Aurora Hayes. And

n, he builds ridiculously expensive skyscrapers. And this is Grant R

he said, his voice a low baritone. "I've seen your early film work. You were bri

For years, Julian had dismissed her

nding her true voice. "But I'm

ependent films, and the nuances of scriptwriting-topics she secretly poured

complaining to Caleb Price abou

. There was a woman in a red dress, holding court in Zo

whiskey. "Holy shit

way. She looks... lethal. And she's got Ethan

: Aurora, luminous and laughing, surrounded by

ate group chat wit

s supposed to be begging you to come bac

on was ins

I told you. You o

, you might have serious

read the chat but remained silent, watching her

next week," Ethan was saying. "I have

was genuine.

ment in four years not dictate

kept poking the bear. Ca

oid of his non-response echoed with the deafening