Page 64 of How to Get Lucky
“Exactly. Not a pale substitute. You get me,” she says, watching me slip on my shoes.
“I do. I definitely do.” I give her a kiss, then leave.
* * *
I open the door to the coffee shop, scanning the room for Archer. He’s camped out in the corner, typing away on his laptop. Two steaming mugs sit on opposite ends of the small table.
“House roast, black. Right?” he asks as he gestures me into the other chair.
“That’s exactly right. Thanks.” I’m impressed he knows my order and consider it a good sign that he bought my drink. I slide into the chair, still confident that leaving Edge is the right decision, but curious as to what’s on Archer’s mind.
He closes his laptop, and his attention shoots squarely to me. “We didn’t get a chance to finish our chat Friday night, but I’m glad I’ve had the time to think through things a bit more.”
“I’m just glad you still want to speak to me,” I say, half joking, sitting up a little straighter.
He smiles, but his focus remains locked in. “I know you’re starting to branch out and do your own thing, and I respect that, but ownership had some exciting new developments to share during our camping retreat, and I’d like you to hear me out.”
“I’m listening,” I say.
“We’re opening two new spaces in the city, with additional plans to expand up the coast. These won’t be nightclubs—they’re going to be event spaces. Weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and such.”
Archer pauses to drum his fingers on the table. “What would you say to a contract position helping our company oversee bookings, communicating with clients, and organizing and staffing events? I speak for the owners when I say we’d be thrilled to have an exciting new start-up company under contract to help us manage these additional venues. In short, I want to know what I can do to make Edge Events a client of your new company.”
I part my lips to speak, but I’m not entirely sure what to say. I’m floored. I take a drink of my coffee, digesting this unexpected offer. It’s awesome, the chance to grow my business. Plus, the gig sounds like a ton of fun. But the best part is that Archer knows how I feel about London, and he still came to me with a work opportunity.
I look at my soon-to-be former boss, and my career worldview all clicks into place, and I see what I couldn’t see before. Tracy and her father burned me, but that family isn’t every family. Archer and I have a working relationship built on professional trust.
My love for London isn’t at odds with my career goals. It can live right alongside them. Hell, my relationship with the Hollis family is enhanced because we share the same passions.
I draw in a breath. “All Night Entertainment would love to be in business with you. It sounds like an exciting chance. I’m extremely grateful for the offer, Archer.”
“That’s great news. We’ll get a timeline organized and shoot you a contract by the end of the week. Sound good?”
“Sounds great,” I say, extending my hand to shake. “Thank you.” But as the words leave my mouth, they don’t feel like they’re enough. I search for what I really want to say, finding it in my heart. “Seriously, Archer. This opportunity rocks. I’m not sure I deserved this chance after leaving Edge, but I promise I’ll make the most of it.”
“You bet on yourself, Teddy. That’s always a strong play.”
But that’s not all I need to come clean about. I spent the better part of two weeks trying to have my cake and eat it too. Least I can do is let the guy know how much I appreciate his outlook, but also how much I intend to do right by his sister. “I’m also happy you’re being so chill about my dating London. I intend to treat her like she means the world to me, because she does.”
“I hope so,” Archer says, turning intense. “Because London may be a strong, independent woman who knows her own mind, but she’s also my little sister. So if you hurt her—cheat on her, lie to her, forget her birthday—I will end you. Understood?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say as I sip my coffee, slightly afraid of Archer, but mostly thrilled that London has this kind of love in her life already.
* * *
That evening, London and I go on a date to the Greek Theatre, an intimate outdoor music venue nestled in the trees in Griffith Park. As the night winds down, the two of us drunk on music, holding hands under a blanket, getting lost in the stars, Ben Folds plays one of his signature hits, “The Luckiest.” I look over at London, and we share a knowing smile.
