They continued through the meal this way, Archer alternately feeding her and himself, their conversation flowing with increasing ease. Morgan found herself relaxing despite the extravagant surroundings, despite the blindfold, despite the day’s professional disaster.
This, at least, felt real—the connection between them transcending the unusual circumstances of their relationship.
Over dessert—a decadent chocolate soufflé—Morgan finally broached the subject she’d been avoiding all evening.
“I lost my job today,” she said quietly. “Or at least, I’ve been suspended pending an investigation.”
Archer’s hand stilled where it had been resting on hers. “What happened?”
Morgan explained the situation in broad strokes, careful not to share details Alexandra had advised her to keep confidential. “They’re claiming I authorized fraudulent expenses, but I didn’t. I think Richard is setting me up to take the fall for his own financial misconduct.”
“I’m so sorry, Morgan,” Archer said, his fingers tightening around hers. “That’s... I wish you’d told me sooner.”
“Alexandra advised discretion until we understand what’s happening,” Morgan explained. “And honestly, I needed a night away from thinking about it.”
“I’m glad you’ve already met with her. Did the meeting go well at least?”
“Yes, she’s incredible. Thank you for connecting us.” Morgan hesitated, then added, “She seems to think very highly of you.”
“We’ve worked together for years,” Archer said, his tone carefully neutral. “She’s the best at what she does.”
There it was again—that subtle weight pressing at the edges of their connection. What would she have to do to be allowed in? To meet the version of him that other people in his life got to meet. Morgan pushed the feeling aside, unwilling to let it spoil their evening.
Even though she didn’t have all of him yet, she had this. She was sure she already knew more about him than most, even if she didn’t know exactly what he did for work, or how influential he really was.
“Enough about my work drama,” she said. “Tell me something about you I don’t know yet.”
Archer was quiet for a moment, as if considering what he could safely reveal. “My father taught me to sail when I was eight,” he said finally, his voice softening with the memory. “We had this old boat—nothing fancy, just a small sloop. Every Sunday during summer, no matter what was happening with his work, he’d take me out on the lake.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Morgan said, trying to picture a young Archer learning to navigate wind and water.
“It was the only time he really relaxed,” Archer continued. “He was... intense. Driven. Always working, building his business. But on the water, he was different. Patient. Present.”
The personal revelation touched Morgan deeply. This glimpse into his childhood—a driven father, Sunday sailing lessons—painted a picture of the boy who would become the man beside her.
“Do you still sail?” she asked.
“When I can. Not as often as I’d like.” There was a wistfulness in his voice. “Sometimes I think about getting a boat again. Something simple, like my dad’s old sloop.”
“I’d love to go sailing with you someday,” Morgan said sincerely.
Her words floated in the air, carrying the weight of unspoken hopes for something more permanent than either had admitted wanting.
“I’d like that,” Archer said after a moment, his voice soft.
When they finished dessert, Archer guided Morgan to the living room, where they settled on a comfortable sofa overlooking the city lights. Even blindfolded, Morgan could sense the vastness of the view before her.
“May I remove this?” she asked, touching the blindfold.
“Not yet,” Archer replied. “But I have something for you.”
She heard him move away, then return moments later. Something hard and plastic was pressed into her palm.
“What is this?” Morgan asked, fingers exploring the object—it felt like a smooth credit card, however it was attached to a simple ring.
“A key to this place,” Archer explained. “I want you to haveit.”
Morgan’s breath caught in her throat. “Archer, that’s... we’ve only known each other for a little over a week.”
