nne

r had called. I picked up, heard only breathing on the other end, then a soft

mater, MIT, for an alumni netwo

eup. Looking at my reflection, I saw a competenc

ntrepreneurs and venture capitalists. I held a glass of champ

usband's shadow. I was Corinne Sargent, an ind

predictive model. I couldn't help myself. I stepped fo

e of them, a young man with an a

me. "She's the smartest mind I know. If she says

looking sharp in a well-cut su

rprise was genu

essed the developers. "Casey Ferguson, Nexus Analytics. And th

om skepticism to awe. Nexus Analytics

gratitude and admonishment.

ss of sparkling water. "Don't drink that stuff. It's bad for yo

t the concern in

Casey. For t

e. "Seriously, Corinne. Come back. Nexus needs you. That core

del I'd created when I was seventeen. It was the bed

inking about it. We'll ta

he said, rais

ege, arguing over data models in the library

event, a familiar

he Boston Bruins and Blake's

crossed his face before he composed it

asked, his voice p

oothly, extending a hand. "Captain Shepherd. Casey

sized "partner" and my n

ack to me, his gaze now holding a new level of curiosity. "Miss

le. "It's a small world, Capta

d clearly recalibrated his perception of

nd Cyrus seemed genuinely surprised

t of the building together. My phone rang. A N

e line. "Corinne? It's Audrey. I need you to co