Afternoon — Star Harbor
Miles steered his car into the hotel's front drive, the polished glass building towering above like a shard of the sky. He eased to a stop, and before the engine even quieted, the passenger door opened.
Ray slid in, settling back with the calm confidence of a man who'd spent a lifetime in command. He glanced at Miles, a faint smile tugging at the edges of his mouth.
"It's good to see you after a long time, little bud," Ray said.
Miles shot him a look, a small smirk on his lips. "Come on, Commander. Call me Miles."
"Right. Miles," Ray corrected, though the warmth in his voice lingered. "So, where are we going?"
"For lunch, of course." Miles's tone was casual, but his eyes stayed sharp on the road. "We have serious matters to discuss."
Ray's expression shifted, serious for a beat before softening again. "Yes… we do. But first—I'm hungry."