They'd made it through a few light courses—fruit, pastries, coffee. Nothing too heavy. Just as the server whisked away the last croissant and empty espresso cup, Jason's phone buzzed on the table.
He glanced at the screen and sighed.
"I'm afraid I have to cut out early," he said, already rising. " One of the Academy's board members just triggered a minor crisis. Nothing dramatic, just bad timing."
Austin looked up, fingers tightening slightly around her napkin. " Why not stay a little longer ? You haven't even heard the full pitch."
Jason smiled, easy and unbothered. " We'll save that for when Rodriguez finally drags himself to New York. Then we'll do this properly."
He turned to her with a knowing look. " You two don't need me to referee, do you ?"
And just like that,
