The glass doors opened at two o'clock exactly, and the whole showroom seemed to stand up straighter.
"Mr. Cole," the valet said, hurrying around the car. "Welcome back to Aurelion, sir."
Jason stepped out into the sunlight first, straightening his cuffs. He reached into his pocket, felt the loose quarters shift against his fingers, and smiled.
"Careful with her," he told the valet. "She likes a gentle hand."
"Of course, sir. Keys, sir?"
"You have them. And keep her close. We will not be long."
Chloe climbed out on the other side and looked up at the building, at the tall glass and the quiet gold lettering above the doors.
"It is bigger than I pictured," she said.
"You have not seen anything yet," Jason said. "Wait until you see the floor."
"You really know everyone here?"
"Sweetheart, they know me."
Inside, the air smelled of polish and leather. Derek Sloane was already crossing the floor, both hands open, his smile arriving a full second before he did.
"Mr. Cole," Derek said. "And Miss Bennett. Welcome, welcome. We have been expecting you."
"Derek," Jason said, clasping his hand. "Good to see you."
"Our Senior Vice President from Vanguard," Derek announced, just loudly enough for the couple by the Meridian to hear. "We roll out the carpet when Mr. Cole visits us."
"You did not need to make a fuss," Jason said.
"A fuss? For you? Never. It is an honor, truly."
Chloe smiled politely. "He talks about this place constantly."
"With good reason, Miss Bennett," Derek said. "And today could be a very special day indeed. Can I get you both something? Sparkling water? Espresso?"
"Water is fine," Chloe said.
"Water for the lady," Derek said. "And for you, sir?"
"Nothing yet," Jason said. "Business first."
"Business first," Derek echoed, delighted. "A man who knows his mind. This way, please. Your car is waiting under the lights."
Chloe fell into step beside Jason. "My car?" she asked quietly.
"Our car," he said. "Do not spoil the surprise by asking questions."
"I am not spoiling anything. I am just asking what we are actually doing here."
"Something memorable," he said. "Trust me."
"I do trust you," she said, after a small pause. "That is why I came."
Near the rope, in a plain coat and jeans, Lily stood beside the Aurelion One with a paper cup of water Grace had brought her an hour ago. Above her, Marcus Webb stood at the mezzanine rail, saying nothing.
Derek led them down the center of the floor, narrating as he went.
"The Meridian line, our production jewel," he said, sweeping one hand out. "And ahead, under its own lights, the One. One of one, Miss Bennett. There is not another like it anywhere on this earth."
"It is beautiful," Chloe said, and she meant it. "It almost does not look real at all."
"It is very real," Jason said. "And today it gets a real owner."
Lily looked up then, and Jason saw her.
He stopped walking. The smile stayed on his face, but everything behind it went still. Chloe felt the halt through his arm.
"Jason?" she said. "What is it?"
"Nothing," he said.
"You stopped like you saw a ghost."
"I said nothing," he said, recovering, his voice smoothing itself out. "Just someone I used to know."
Lily met his eyes across ten feet of polished floor. She did not smile. She did not look away. This morning Derek had held her wrist beside this very car, and her arm still remembered the laugh that followed her warning.
"Hello, Jason," she said.
"Lily," he said.
Derek glanced between them and stepped briskly away. "You two know each other? Small world. Mr. Cole knows everyone, of course."
Chloe turned to Lily with genuine, unguarded curiosity. "Hello," she said. "I am Chloe."
"Chloe, this is Lily," Jason said, and something in his tone changed, warmed, and turned poisonous. "My ex. She is, well, around cars."
"Around cars," Chloe repeated.
"You know how it is," Jason said. "Some people move on. Some people just stay near the things they could never quite reach."
"That is not a very kind way to put it," Chloe said softly.
"It is honest," he said. "Lily, you look well."
"So do you," Lily said. "That is a handsome suit."
"Thank you," he said, relaxing, mistaking courtesy for surrender. "It is good to see you settled. Honestly. No hard feelings, I hope."
"None that matter today," Lily said.
"Good," he said. "Because today matters a great deal to me."
Derek cleared his throat and gestured grandly toward the One. "Shall we begin, Mr. Cole?"
Jason looked at Lily one last time, chose his audience, and raised his voice for the room.
"Yes," he said at last. "Let us begin."
Chapter 20: The Performance