Champagne spilled by the gallon over the vertical drop of the ten-foot-tall waterfall in the center of the room. At the edge of the waterfall stood a bar stacked with gleaming crystal glasses ready to be filled from the cascading champagne.
I took in the exotic space, fascinated by every detail.
Soaring over us from high above was an enormous gold statue of a falcon balancing on an imposing stone pillar. The golden wings spread out overhead, like a cloud.
“This is insane.” Dyson grinned. “I think I found my forever home.”
“You know, the funny thing, Dyson? It actually could be if you want it to be.” I leveled my gaze, and we broke into laughter as a group of twenty-something girls pushed past us.
My heart shifted to overdrive as thoughts of Ivy flooded my mind. Even from across the planet, I couldn’t get her out of my head. No matter where I was, near or far, she was always a part of me. Like rays of sunlight, she lit up everything in her path. It was clearer than ever before what I had to do… I had to beg for her forgiveness.
Because we were amazing together.
“Hey!” Dyson shouldered me, tearing me from my thoughts. “Archie’s heading our way.”
Archie, looking sharp in stone-colored ripped cargos and a polished gray T-shirt, waved in our direction as he closed the distance, his hair and skin gleaming beneath the flashing lights.
“Bring it in, boys!” He held his arms out wide.
Dyson stepped toward him. “Archie, my man.”
“Good to see you, bro,” I added as we leaned in, our arms resting on each other’s shoulders.
“Lads! It’s been way too long. From now on, I’ll make sure you have an open invitation.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” We chuckled. Dyson shook his head from side to side. “You were amazing out there, bro!”
“Yeah, I didn’t get totally smashed,” Archie replied. “Diego has been the King for years, but I reckon I can steal his throne next year.” He winked.
“Looks like we’ll be going back again next year, Dyson,” I said with a chuckle. “Congrats, Archie, you deserve it. Man, I’m glad we were there to see it.”
Archie pressed a hand to his heart. “Thanks, boys. I’m really feeling the love, being back with my old crew. It’s been amazing, I’m living the dream. But it’s hectic sometimes. You guys know what it’s like with the paparazzi,” he said, pulling a glass from the stack and filling it from the stream.
“I may have experienced it once or twice, yes,” I replied. We all laughed as Archie and I grabbed glasses and filled them.
“They’re always chasing the next big story,” Dyson chipped in.
“Well, you never let them down,” Archie replied with a lopsided smirk.
“Cheers to that,” I said, tapping our glasses together.
“Hey, where’s my drink?” Dyson asked, lifting a canapé from a passing waiter.
He popped it into his mouth, snatched a glass from the stack, then held it under the cascade. After one swallow, he refilled the glass and took another drink while Archie and I stared at him, grinning.
“That’s better,” he said with a chuckle. “Now, show us how you drivers party.”
Archie laughed, knocked back the rest of his drink, then looking at us, he tipped his head toward the dance floor. We followed him into the thick of the crowd, the music pulsing around us.
A while later, when Diego joined us, Archie yelled over the music as he introduced us.
As we moved between the dance floor and the bar, another guy wandered over and joined us. After saying hi to Archie and Diego, he turned to Dyson and me. “Hey, Callum Rhodes,” he said. “Everyone calls me Cal.”
“Hey man. You’re one of the F1 team owners, right?” I asked him.
“Guilty as charged.” He grinned. A moment later, the conversation drifted to BioBuild, and he quizzed Dyson about the company, making it clear he was keen to come on board as an investor.
“So you boys spend a bit of time in Sydney, huh? We should catch up next time I’m there. I’ve got a little place on the beach near Bondi.”
