Chapter 145

Vera

The conversation is moving exactly the way Nina wanted, people sort of weaving around the room, joining groups, finding facilitators and alumni, and letting the energy build naturally. Nobody’s forcing anything. I’m part of the drifting too, not managing, just, there.

At eight-forty, Ian Blackwood finds me.

He skips the small talk.

“The residential mentorship,” he says, right off. “That idea