Page 75 of Embers Glow After the Fire

The hostess leads them back to the door and wishes them well at the elevator.

Aaron is holding the SUV door open in waiting when they exit the building and cross the sidewalk.

“How was dinner, gentlemen?” he asks while they pile into their seats.

“It was amazing!” Matthew squeals.

Aaron grins and makes his way around the vehicle, shifting in gear and taking off toward the next destination.

“Where are we going now?” Matthew asks.

“You’ll see.” Brendon squeezes his knee.

Matthew scoops up Brendon’s hand and sandwiches it between his palms on his lap.

Aaron cuts through the city, maneuvering the massive SUV like a tiny sports car and they pull up to the Georgia Botanical Gardens entrance.

The modern façade is landscaped with lush arrangements of bright blooms, palms and topiaries in front of a tall glass and steel entry into the visitor’s center.

Aaron let’s them out and they stroll inside.

Matthew nudges Brendon’s arm with his elbow and smiles from the side of his face.

The entrance courtyard is empty except for one young woman, patiently waiting with a tablet hugged to her chest.

“Brendon and Matthew?” She steps forward and reaches out to shake their hands. “I’m Morgan. Welcome to The Botanical Gardens in Atlanta.”

“Thank you.” Brendon smiles, excitedly.

Matthew studies his date’s face. “Nice to meet you Morgan.”

“Right this way gentlemen.” She spins on a heel and marches forward. Her strappy sandals slap on polished concrete and her long floral skirt sways with her hips.

“What did you do?” Matthew queries.

“I rented the entire Garden for the night.” Brendon glees.

Matthew’s jaw gapes and he clutches Brendon’s hand, weaving their fingers.

Morgan leads them to a magical courtyard surrounded by tall palms and low flowering shrubs with mulched beds drowning in vibrant blossoms. The aroma is beautifully assaulting and butterflies bounce about with frenzied wings fluttering.

Morgan spins back to face them. “The entire park is all yours. Here is a map and a staff walkie-talkie—“ she passes Brendon both items. “Call me at any point if you might need something.” She winks at Brendon. “Just tap and hold this button—“ she demonstrates, “and speak into here. I’ll be right in my office. You’ll see some staff members still about tending the gardens, but they won’t bother you. You gents have an amazing evening.”

“Thank you, Morgan.” Brendon clips the walkie-talkie to his pants pocket.

“Nice meeting you both.” She trots away and disappears past a huge fern.

“You too!” Matthew calls after her.

Brendon swings their arms as they propels forward on winding trails that wrap through the gardens. A mix of live birds and nature recordings play through strategically placed discrete speakers. The sounds create a barrier that blocks out city noise past the river bracketing the island like property.

Water trickles and shoots up from fountains. Art installations and sculpted topiaries scatter the plantscapes and the blend of vegetation feels other worldly.

“Can you even imagine being the designer of all this?” Brendon awes at the surroundings.

“I can barely tend a cactus on my windowsill.” Matthew chuckles. “Thank you again. —for this.” He squeezes Brendon’s fingers.

The breeze carries the moisture from an automated set of misters across the path, coating their skin and dampening their shirts.

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