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Lacey crossed her arms and leaned against the kitchen counter, trying for nonchalant. "I didn't mean to. But it was time to go."

I paced away, raking a hand through my hair. "You don't even want to talk about it? You were damn good at your job. Scratch that—you were the best assistant we'd ever had. We depended on you."

"I appreciate everything you and Brooks gave me," she said gently. "But it’s not just about the job."

"Then what? Because from where I’m standing, this feels like you’re running from something. Or someone."

She let out a breath, then looked me square in the eye. "I had a crush on Brooks."

The confession hit me like a flick to the forehead, even though I'd suspected it for some time.

"That had to hurt. Unrequited love is never fair." Fuck, I hated matters of the heart. I'd mired myself in my own angst over my ex for too long.

"Because I knew I wasn’t the one he wanted," she said simply. "I thought maybe if I stuck around long enough, proved myself over and over..." she shook her head. "It doesn’t matter. He picked someone else. And I—I'm tired of feeling invisible. I need to go somewhere I matter."

"You weren't invisible to me."

"No, but... honestly, Archer you have so much opportunity ahead of you. You're growing and now you need more than one assistant. You need an entire team to support your vision for the company."

She was right. No sense in denying it. Brooks wanted out, leaving me in complete control of the company. I could take this baby and run with it, wherever I wanted to go. But I couldn't do it alone.

"So here's an offer for you. Stay. Help me build a dynamic team. I'll make you staff manager, pay you exorbitantly well, and we'll reach the top together." I waited for a flicker of hope in her eyes that never came, no matter the amount of money or title or prestige I put in her path.

She cast her eyes downward and I nodded, understanding.

"Guess none of that makes up for a broken heart, huh?" I hated losing."So, back to Texas?"

She nodded. "Back to my roots. Maybe I was never meant for this city to begin with."

I wanted to sayyou were.

But I didn't.

"I wish you would've picked the right brother, not the wrong one."

She smiled faintly, not unkind. "I think you were always more curious about me than interested. No, I need to go home for a while. I have people there. I need them right now."

"I don't like it. But I understand. I'm sorry to see you go, Lacey." I stepped toward her door.

"Archer?" I turned back and faced her. "Maybe Dax will find the one for you."

I snorted. "Dax and his precious matchmaking empire?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You haven’t signed up yet?"

"Wasn’t sure it’d be worth it."

"Well, you're worth it. And it’s time you found out, don't you think?"

Back in the car,I stared out the window as the city glowed and pulsed around me. I ached, wanting someone to fill the hole in heart. I wanted what Brooks had and what Tucker had. Why was that such a monumental ask from the damn universe?

So I gave up. I couldn’t figure this out alone.

I reached for my phone.

“Hey Dax? I’m ready. Submit my profile. I'm all in for MINT.”

He whooped so loud through the speaker I had to lower the volume.

"About goddamn time," he said.

And maybe it was.