While Jason was stuck in his thoughts, Nina raised her glass with a playful smile that made the knot in his stomach feel even more painful. "Here's to enjoying a year of being stuck with me." Jason didn't raise his glass, wondering why she was raising hers after already drinking from it. "Can't contain the excitement," he said before cutting into his food. "Has any of your girlfriends ever told you how cute you are when you sulk?" Then she took another sip of the drink. "I'm sure you were the spoiled type who whined and cried whenever things didn't go your way." Jason shook his head, stabbing his food like he was imagining the meal as Nina. "Have you met my mother before?" The woman took a final sip from the cup before answering. "God, this is so good," she whispered to herself in a way that was loud enough for Jason to hear. "Probably not," she answered Jason. "But I know you kissed my hand even when you couldn't stand being around me. I love the way you opened

"Where do you live?" he asked. "I live in Brentwood," she said. "But Jason..." "Yes?" he said. "I meant what I said back then. When we talked on set, I thought you were just another angry celebrity having a bone to pick with the world. But the way you handled tonight was beyond me." Jason shook his head. "Stop making a big deal out of it. Anyone with a level head would have done the same thing, if not better." Nina gently bit her lower lip, still staring at Jason's face. Jason glanced at her for a while before keeping his eyes back on the road. Without her quick wits, intellect and charm, Nina Gilbert was just a young woman who just experienced a difficult night. "If you are still thinking about that envelope, then stop. It doesn't matter." "Well, thank goodness one of the paramedics brought it along. It is an apology letter from Calvin, along with some lega

"Three more investors left your company today. Your stock dropped eight percent. Your artists are asking questions." "It's only temporary," Nathan said through his teeth. "We've discussed this already, haven't we?" Jonah took a long drag from the cigarette and blew smoke up. "While that might sound like an impressive excuse to you, the council doesn't think so. They think you're losing control, Nathan Harrington. They think... it's time for new leadership." "I built all this from nothing," Nathan said, gesturing at the building they were in and the Neo sign on their shirts. "I've made Neo more money than anyone in ten years. And you come here to talk to me about new leadership? Have you gone mad?" "Ten years, Nathan. Don't make a big deal out of it," Jonah said like he was intentionally trying to be offensive. "But what have you done this week?" One of the men stepped forward, cr

They all moved to Jason's small dining table. Calvin and Abigail had brought fried chicken, sides, and wine. Nina helped serve while Jason got plates and glasses."So," Calvin said, opening the wine, "fifteen million streams in three days. That's crazy.""The Aurora Music Festival is in two days," Abigail added, surprised by how well her husband was holding up without candy in his mouth. "The buzz around your performance is huge.""I can't believe it," Jason said. "A month ago, I was basically done. Now this.""You were never done," Nina said. "You just needed the right opportunity."Calvin poured wine for everyone, but Jason noticed he kept glancing at his phone."Everything okay?" Jason asked.Calvin put his phone away. "Yeah, just business stuff. Nothing that can't wait.""Speaking of business," Calvin continued, "Jason, did you ever read the letter I sent you? The envelope Nina had?"Jason took a de