The Accidental Wealth

Chapter 31

Jackson pulled into the Brewed Awakening parking lot at 5:55 p.m. The sky above was a moody canvas of gray clouds. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, scanning the entrance for any sign of Sophia. No luck.

Five minutes ticked by. Then ten. He checked his phone, debating whether to call her. Was she standing him up? The thought made his stomach churn.

As he was about to hit the dial, movement caught his eye. A couple strolled down the sidewalk, arm in arm. The man looked oddly familiar, but Jackson couldn't quite place him. He squinted, trying to jog his memory. The stranger looked to be in his mid-thirties, possibly older. He squinted, trying to jog his memory.

"Screw it," he muttered, pocketing his phone and stepping out of the car. His curiosity got the better of him as he approached the pair.

The man's eyes widened as Jackson neared, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "Excuse me," he said uncertainly. "Are you... Jackson?"

Jackson blinked, taken aback. "Uh,