Granger Harden hurried after her, but he was a step toote. By the time he reached the elevator, Charlene Ross was already descending to the lobby.


    Meanwhile, across town-


    Thorne Henderson was deep in conversation when his phone rang. He nced at the caller ID, then picked up.


    A few minutester, he hung up just as Vesta Hawkins strolled over to him. "Who was that?" she teased. "You sounded like you were having a great time."


    He grinned. "An old college friend. He''s in Starfall City on business and wants to catch up. We haven''t seen each other in ages, and I''m freeter, so I said yes." Thorne paused, then added, "Want toe along?"


    Vesta nodded. She''d met Thorne after he''d graduated, and while she''d encountered a few of his college friends at social events, most had seemed like mere acquaintances. This one sounded different-clearly someone closer.


    "Sure, I''d like that," she said with a smile.


    After chatting with a few more people, Thorne checked the time, then left with Vesta for the restaurant where they''d agreed to meet.


    Thorne''s friend, Lean, was already seated when they arrived. He was French and rather striking, with a friendly smile. Spotting them, Lean stood and waved. In heavily ented English, he turned to Thorne and asked, "Is this your girlfriend?" Then, with a grin, he added, "She''s beautiful. You two are a perfect match."


    Thorne introduced Vesta, and Lean, ever the gossip, immediately wanted to know how they''d met.


    Vestaughed. "We first met in Golnd—I''d just finished a ss..."


    As she finished telling the story, Lean let out a theatrical "Wow! A schr!" He turned to Thorne, nudging him yfully. "You''ve always had good taste. I remember hearing about a girl you liked in college-she was some kind of prodigy, graduated early, and I heard you two even got married before she finished school..."


    Vesta''s smile faded a notch, and so did Thorne''s.


    Thorne shook his head. "You''ve got it wrong, Lean. The girl you saw back then wasn''t my girlfriend."


    "No?" Lean looked genuinely surprised. "Really? I only met her


    once was heading back t


    France


    and didn''t follow what happened.


    Guess I misunderstood."


    Thorne smoothly changed the subject. "So, what do you want to eat?"


    Lean waved a hand. "It''s been years since I''ve been to Starfall. You''re the local-


    I''ll leave it up to you. I trust your judgment."


    Thorne smiled and let it drop. Lean was effortlessly sociable, and soon turned to Vesta, asking what she did for work.


    "I''m working on self-driving cars," she replied.


    "Wow, you''re an engineer? Impressive!"


    Vesta smiled modestly. "I''m just one part of the team. Actually, Thorne started thepany first, and then-"


    She exined how things had unfolded.


    Usually, when she told the story, people wouldment on how lucky she was to have Thorne''s support. But Lean was different.


    He gave her a long look. Though he didn''t say anything outright, it was clear from his expression that she didn''t quite live up to the picture he''d painted in his mind. He shot Thorne a nce, as if questioning his judgment-or maybe wondering if Vésta was really good enough for him.


    Vesta''s smile cooled a little.


    Realizing he''d been a bit too transparent, Lean cleared his throat and asked, "So, how''s thepany doing now?”


    "We made a technical breakthrough recently," Vesta replied. “It''s taken the


    Lean gave a polite smile. "Well, with


    Thorne involved, it''s no


    surprise


    Running a techpany and


    boosting its value must be a piece of


    cake for you two."