***
By 10:45, we're back in the site office. Sam scrolls through the images. "This is exactly what Castellano needs."
"That was your idea."
"You framed it."
She looks at me. "That's what partners do."
Sam closes the laptop. "You want to grab lunch before we both have to dive back into work?"
I don't hesitate. "Let’s go.”
We both order pastrami on rye and sit in a booth in the back corner. We eat without talking about the presentation.
When we're done, Sam gathers her coat. "I'll see you Monday?"
"Yeah. Monday."
On the sidewalk, she turns to face me, "Thanks for not texting me."
I smile. "Thanks for coming today.”
She disappears into the crowd. I adjust the strap on my camera bag and start walking.
We’ve gotten good at this when it’s just us.
It doesn’t feel fragile anymore.
What happens when it isn’t just us anymore?
Chapter thirty-two
Sam
The email lands at 4:23 PM, right as I'm closing out of the last Board presentation notes.
Subject:Harbor District—Sister Site AssessmentFrom:Developer Aldridge
Board is considering a coastal property for community programming space (similar to Harbor District model). There's a heritage preservation gala this weekend—excellent opportunity to assess how they engage stakeholders and manage public events. We can then use these learnings to apply to the Harbor Project. Can you both attend? Saturday evening, black-tie. Tickets and accommodations covered. Please confirm.
I read it twice. A sister site. Stakeholder engagement research. Black-tie event with coastal preservation experts. This is the kind of opportunity that leads to multi-site portfolio work, the kind of credit that puts you on shortlists for national proposal requests.
I type my response immediately.
Happy to attend. Will coordinate travel logistics with Tom and confirm by end of day.
Professional. Enthusiastic. Exactly what a lead architect should say when handed a strategic expansion opportunity on a silver platter.
My phone buzzes thirty seconds later.
Tom
Field trip? And I have to wear a tie?
I stare at the screen. That's his takeaway. Not the stakeholder assessment. Not the preservation gala. Not the fact that the Board is considering expansion and wants us—both of us—to evaluate it.
Field trip. Tie.
