Archer was silent a moment as he guided his motorcycle onto the riverside drive, opening up the throttle as the road straightened before him. The engine’s roar filled his helmet, drowning out the voice of reason that warned him to keep his distance.
“Can you run a background check on Vertex Creative for me? Full workup. And get me everything you can on their current management and everything on her as well.”
“Already working on it.” Kane confirmed, anticipating Archer’s interests as usual.
Of course he was. Kane had been like his right hand long enough to anticipate his needs even though he wasn’t on Archer’s payroll as such.
“On top of it as always.”
Kane’s low chuckle came through again. “She seems like a good person. Made me coffee herself and offered me homemade muffins—damn good ones too. Didn’t treat me like ‘the help’ the way some of your associates do.”
“Noted,” Archer said, more curtly than he intended. He didn’t need Kane’s endorsement to be interested in Morgan. He didn’t need to be interested in Morgan at all. “Send the reports to my secure server.”
“Will do.” Kane paused briefly as if to say more, but instead kept his silence and hung up.
Archer continued down the riverside drive, the afternoon sun glinting off the water to his right. His phone buzzed again in his pocket, but he couldn’t check it while riding.
Probably Morgan, thanking him again for the locks. Or maybe asking more questions about him, questions he couldn’t answer without revealing too much or lying outright. Neither option appealed to him.
This was precisely why he kept his worlds separate. Archer Sullivan had responsibilities, expectations, and an image to maintain. A spotlight everywhere he went... unless he snuck out and covered up. The ability to come and go without explanation was a luxury most didn’t appreciate until it was taken from them.
Morgan was threatening to expose his anonymity, and he hadn’t even shown her his face.
Despite knowing the potential complications it would bring, at the next intersection he pulled over and cut the engine. He took out his phone and saw what he expected—a message from Morgan.
Your friend Kane just left. Thank you again for arranging this. I feel much safer already. I meant what I said to him—I owe you dinner. No pressure, no expectations, just a thank you meal.
Archer stared at the message, weighing his options. The smart play was to politely decline, to extract himself from her life before things got complicated. To protect the boundaries he’d created that allowed him freedom without constantly looking over his shoulder.
Instead, he typed:No need to thank me. But I never turn down good food. When?
Her response was immediate:Tonight? I know it’s short notice, but I’m free after 7. You choose the place.
Tonight. That was... sudden. He had a video call with international investors at 8:00, but he could reschedule.
The thought surprised him. He’d never rescheduled multi-million dollar meetings for impromptu dinner dates.
But tonight he would.
Tonight works. 7:30. I’ll text you the location. Are you allergic to anything?
He hit send before he could reconsider, then immediately called his assistant.
“Jennifer, reschedule the Osaka investors call. Something’s come up.”
“Mr. Sullivan, they specifically requested you be on the call. They’ve been trying to get on your calendar for weeks.”
“Then they’ll understand the importance of what’s pulled me away,” he said firmly. “Reschedule for another time, next week if possible. Send my apologies.”
“Yes, sir. May I ask what to put in the calendar for tonight?”
Archer hesitated. “Personal appointment. That’s all.”
He ended the call to see Morgan had responded:No allergies, I’m looking forward to it!
Perfect. He started his bike again, mind already shifting to logistics. Where could he take Morgan that would maintain his anonymity yet still provide a decent dining experience? And how exactly did one eat dinner while wearing a motorcycle helmet?
For the first time in a long time, Archer Sullivan had no concrete plan. And for the first time in even longer, he found himself looking forward to the uncertainty.
