Page 27 of Best Kept Vows

Aurora leaned in, resting her forearms on the counter. “That cannot be easy. My stepdaughter is going to go tocollege soon, and I start crying every time I think about it.”

“We’re at different phases of our lives.” I took a sip of my champagne cocktail.

Luna popped an olive into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “I’m single…so I’m in averydifferent phase.”

Stella looked around.

“What?” Luna demanded dryly.

“It’s just we’ve been here a couple of hours, and Dom hasn’t shown up, so I was wondering.” Stella had mischief in her eyes.

Luna groaned. “Don’t start.”

“What am I missing?” I asked, amused.

“Dominic Calder is her ‘the one who got away,’ and she’s his. They’ve been going in circles for the past year since he moved back to Savannah, and neither of them will take a step to?—”

“Stop,” Luna stated emphatically. “Did you hear he’s also pitching for the hospital project?”

I learned that Dom Calder was an award-winning architect with whom Luna would be competing for the hospital building contract I’d be helping her prepare for. If I’d thought these women just talked about personal stuff, I quickly realized they spoke just as easily about work.

“It’s a three-hundred-bed hospital, and Tommy Minton wants it to be state-of-the-art,” Luna explained. “They’re prioritizing patient flow, advanced technology integration, and sustainable design—energy-efficient systems, LEED certification, the whole nine.”

Shespoke in English, but I didn’t understand the architectural terminology. However, I had heard of Thomas Minton, the billionaire who apparently wanted to build a hospital.

Stella eased forward, intrigued. “Are they aiming for LEED Gold or Silver?”

I decided to look up LEED on Google.

“Gold,” Luna confirmed, “which means we need to factor in significant natural lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, solar integration—the whole works.”

Aurora nodded thoughtfully. “Have they decided if they want single-patient rooms exclusively? Because that affects HVAC load significantly.”

HVAC load, I noted in my head for my planned Google dive before I went to work the next day.

“They’re pushing heavily for single-patient rooms,” Luna said. “The pandemic taught hospitals a tough lesson on infection control. Air-quality standards are tighter, and Tommy specifically mentioned compliance with the newest ASHRAE ventilation guidelines.”

What the hell was ash…? God! There was so much I didn’t know. There was much I had to learn.

“That’ll impact our ductwork layout. We’ll need generous mechanical spaces on each floor,” Stella interjected knowingly.

“Exactly,” Luna agreed. “And they want full antimicrobial surfaces with easily sanitized finishes. Stella, we’ll need your expertise for the healing gardens—he’s asking for green rooftops and therapeutic landscaping. According toTommy, it’s going to be a major part of the patient experience.”

Stella’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “You’ll want native, drought-resistant plants. Low-allergen species, sensory gardens tailored to reduce stress. I have some new concepts I can share from my recent research.”

“I’d love that.” Luna beamed. “We’ll integrate green space directly into patient-care floors. It aligns perfectly with the current WELL building standards Tommy mentioned.”

“We also have to consider Savannah’s historic preservation codes. It can make balancing modern design and city approval tricky.” Aurora turned to me with a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, all this must sound completely foreign to you.”

I laughed self-consciously. “I guess I have a lot to learn.”

“That’s why you’re starting with me,” Luna stated with pride. “Because I am the smartest of the lot.”

Stella snorted. Aurora rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be honest, I was taking notes in my head so I could do a Google search as soon as I got home,” I admitted, impressed by the depth of their expertise.

Luna laughed softly. “Hospitals are incredibly complex—but that’s what makes projects like these so rewarding. Designing buildings that genuinely improve people’s lives is why I do this.”