The sprawling greens of the Silver Oaks course stretched out before them, a sea of perfectly manicured emerald that seemed to vibrate under the midday sun.
Jake and Catharine walked in a comfortable rhythm, the soft crunch of their shoes on the gravel path providing a steady metronome to their conversation. For a few minutes, the tension of the Highlands Lounge felt like it belonged to another world entirely.
"You're remarkably calm for someone who just agreed to a public execution," Catharine said, glancing at him with a mixture of amusement and genuine curiosity. She adjusted her sunglasses, the light catching the gold rims. "I've seen people more stressed about choosing a movie than you are about a high-stakes trading duel."
Jake offered a small, lopsided smile. "Stress is just a signal that you aren't prepared, Cath. I've spent thousands of hours staring at the tape. One hour of live execution isn't a threat; it's just another day at the office, only with better scenery."
