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“Hi.”

“Hi," she says softly.

I walk toward the quiet end of the corridor. “You look fantastic in green.”

“So you saw it? Look, I didn’t plan that.” She lets out a breath. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? You told me you’d keep fighting.”

“I know, but⁠—”

“Don’t apologize for doing what you said you’d do.”

For a few seconds, all I hear is the faint noise of what I assume is the Hartwell lobby behind her.

“You’re not angry?”

“No.”

“Not even a little?”

“I could’ve done without VOSS GO HOME behind your head, but I assume that wasn’t your sign.”

“It belonged to a woman named Dorothy. She’s eighty-two and surprisingly aggressive.”

“I’ll watch out for her.”

Rachel laughs. Through the glass wall of the conference room, everyone inside is pretending not to watch me.

“I kept expecting you to call,” she says. “Then I started thinking about last night.”

That gets my full attention. “Which part?”

“All of it.” Another pause. “I was wondering if you’re free tonight.”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“Yes.”

I open my calendar. I have a meeting at six and dinner with two investors afterward. The meeting can move to tomorrow, and Daniel can handle the investors. I clear both.

“Lucky for you, I’m available.”

“Wonderful. My driver will collect you at seven.”

I lower the phone, look at it, then bring it back to my ear. “You have a driver?”

“I will at seven.”

I grin. “You’re ordering a rideshare.”

“Please don’t cheapen the fantasy.”

“I can meet you wherever we’re going.”

“No. I’m planning this one.”

“It’s a surprise?”