“Just Archer?”
Morgan nodded. “That’s all he’s given me so far.”
“And you still haven’t seen his face?”
Morgan gave a helpless little shrug. “Sorta, but not exactly. Does his hair count?”
Tessa’s eyes sharpened. “Morgan. Babe. I adore you, but I need to say this as your best friend and as someone with extremely resourceful contacts who owe me favors—give me 24 hours and I can tell you exactly who this Archer guy is.”
Morgan held up a hand. “Don’t. Seriously. I know you can, but I don’t want you to.”
“You don’t want to know?”
They paused as their meals were delivered.
“I do. Eventually. But... not like that. If this is going to be anything real, it has to unfold naturally. I want him to open up and tell me.”
Tessa stared at her for a beat, then sipped her iced tea with exaggerated innocence. “Sure. Okay. Naturally.”
Morgan narrowed her eyes. “Tessa..."
“What?” she said, all mock innocence. “When you inevitably vanish with Helmet Hunk, I’d just like a head start on where to send the search dogs.”
Morgan groaned, laughing into her napkin.
“Okay, so,” Tessa continued, switching gears, “You met his friends—plural. That’s major.”
“Yeah. They’re all ex-military, super chill. One’s a fashion designer, one customizes bikes, and one runs some kind of security consulting firm or something to do with technology, I’m not quite sure.”
Tessa blinked. “I’m sorry—a fashion designer biker? Is he hot?”
“Extremely.”
“God, that’s annoying. Were they all wearing leather jackets and calling each other cool nicknames like Tank and Ghost?”
"...Actually, yes.”
Tessa slapped the table. “You’re in a secret-biker-Avengers romance novel and didn’t even tell me until now?!”
“They’re good guys. And they definitely staged the world’s worst fake emergencies to give us alone time.”
“Oh, so they ship you two. Good. That means he really does like you.”
Morgan stirred her straw through her drink. “He does, apparently. And I like him, Tessa. A lot. Even though it’s completely unhinged.”
Tessa softened. “You really do like him.”
Morgan nodded. “He makes me feel... safe. Seen. Even without the normal stuff—no face, no full name—he’s been more respectful and consistent than anyone I’ve dated with a visible identity.”
“I get it,” Tessa said gently. “It’s like... honest mystery. At least you know what you don’t know.”
“Exactly.”
They ate in thoughtful silence for a moment before Tessa added, “Still, I’m keeping an ear to the ground on this Archer guy. Not doing anything—yet—but my instincts are rarely wrong.”
Morgan grinned. “Just don’t go all Sherlock Holmes on him behind my back.”
“No promises,” Tessa said sweetly. “But if he’s legit? And treats you right? I’ll start planning your biker-chic wedding.”
