“But I should have known to consult the codes.” I faced him. Big mistake. I wanted to bury my face in the chest of his crisp white shirt and cry. But no. I was stronger than this.
“Your instincts were good. You’re learning. Look, if I was hard on you in there, it’s only because I expect the best from you, and my team. You wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t think you could do this.” His gaze dipped, lingered where my hands stalled at my neckline. Then lower. His pupils darkened.
My nipples pebbled under his attention, the air between us tightening.
He cleared his throat. “Don’t take it personally when I call you out in front of everyone.” And with that, he retreated down the hall, leaving his cup behind.
I stared at it too long. A simple black cup with the BB branded in silver foil on it, for Bellamy Brothers. I thought about him, about us, and about the impossible task of pretending I didn’t want him. But I wanted this job. I’d prove to the world that I belonged here.
A few minutes later, Matt’s desk was empty when I reached Archer’s office, so I knocked lightly on his door and poked my head inside.
He looked up from his laptop, surprise flickering across his face.
“I believe you forgot this,” I said, setting the empty cup on his desk.
He arched a brow. “You didn’t have to?—”
“I know.”
A smirk ghosted across his mouth. “Next time, can I get an espresso, frothed milk, and latte art?”
“Don’t push your luck,” I chuckled, backing toward the door. “That’s an intern-level skill—I’m an architect.”
“Yes. Yes you are. And after a year here, you’ll be the best.” His voice stroked my ego, unguarded. “About time you owned it.”
Our eyes held for a breath too long.
“Have a good weekend. Penny.”
“You too, Archer.”
In the hall, taking my time back to my desk, I let myself breathe. My lips formed a smile I couldn’t stop. Maybe Archer was misunderstood by Caleb and the others. They hadn’t been close enough to him to feel his heat like I had. Every second I was around him, I craved more.
BOUNDARIES AND DESIRE
Archer
My marketing teamloved to chant the same mantra at every check-in:Be present. Be visible.So I showed up at the after-hours industry mixer tonight because that was what you did when your name was on the company letterhead.
I stepped inside; the music pulsed low under the chatter, the clink of glass against glass. Unfortunately, I ran straight into Jill two steps into the VIP room.
“Archer.” Her smile skimmed over me like a gloss coat, her perfume heavy. “You made it. Good to see you.”
“Jill.” I gave her a semi-warm nod.
“How’s your poor aunt doing?” Her hand went to her heart, head tilted sympathetically.
I blinked, then remembered telling Matt to let her down easy. “On the mend.” I’d have to inform him that white lies about sick relatives weren’t cool. I don’t even have an aunt.
“Good to hear. You know, I still want to corner you one night, have a meeting of the minds about how our businesses could intersect.”
“If it’s business, we should discuss it in my office. I’ll tell Matt to set something up with your assistant.” Hoping she’d take the hint, I drew in another colleague and introduced them.I kept up the conversation, polite but detached—until one woman entering the room stole every ounce of focus.
Penny arrived, a vision of poise in a red power suit. With the pearls at her neck, a provocative choice, and her hair swept into a tidy chignon, her posture was straight as a plumb line, confidence glowing off her. Heads turned as she passed, and she was either uninterested or without a clue.
To think she could have been mine.
I’d brought all of this on myself. Thought I could shelve any potential feelings, hire her, give her a fresh start, and move on. Keep my heart safe from any connection to my ex.
