Page 11 of Seal the Deal

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite PR Queen.”

“Go away, Walton.” She rolls her eyes but lifts her camera for a quick snap. “Don’t you have fangirls to tend to?”

“I’m free for drinks if you are,” he fires back with a wink.

“I’d rather eat glass,” she retorts, but her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile. “Now, stand still so I can get a photo and be done with you.”

Watching them banter is almost enough to distract me. Almost. Because then, like a figure pulled straight from my most vivid memories, someone steps into my peripheral vision. My heart stutters when I look over, and there he is. Jake Brooks. Our eyes meet, and he freezes, like he’s just been caught staring.

“Charlie?” He says my name like he’s not sure if he’s dreaming, slowly closing the distance.

His voice is deeper now, but I’d know it anywhere. And God, he’s grown into himself. Taller than I remember. Broader, more self-assured, with those same hazel eyes that once felt like the safe harbor in my storm. Warm, piercing, and entirely too familiar.

“Uh, yeah.” I give a small wave, then instantly regret it because who waves at someone standing right in front of them? “Hey, Jake.” My voice comes out embarrassingly breathy, and I immediately want to crawl under a rock.

For a heartbeat he just stares at me, eyes sweeping over my face like he’s trying to fill in twelve years of missing memories. “I can’t believe it’s you.”

“Yeah, I—uh—same,” I laugh, nerves bubbling up. “You look different. Good! I mean, really good. Not that you didn’t before, but now... yeah.”Stop talking, you fool. Just stop.

To my relief, he chuckles, and it’s that same soft laugh I remember. “You too. Better than good, actually.” His gaze moves over me again like he’s cataloging every change.

Heat rises to my cheeks. I barely know what to do with my hands, or my heartbeat, or any part of me at all. His presence feels familiar but magnified, like everything about him has somehow sharpened since we were younger. It’s unnerving.

“Hang on,” Zoe interrupts, her eyes bouncing between us with barely restrained glee. “You two know each other?”

I let out another nervous laugh, unable to peel my eyes from Jake even as I answer her. “We, uh, met at summer camp. A long time ago.”

“Camp?” Zoe’s eyebrows shoot up. “Wait, wait, wait. You and Jake Brooks werecamp buddies?”

“Something like that,” Jake says, his eyes still on me like he’s remembering every detail. Every time I’d tease him about his ego, every night we’d stay up too late talking, every moment we almost-but-never crossed the line.

“Oh, this is too good,” Zoe says, practically vibrating. “I need details.”

Before I can reply, Chase butts in, sliding an arm around Zoe. “Details? This sounds like a fun conversation.”

“Get off me, Walton!” Zoe shrugs him off, which only seems to widen Chase’s grin. “This is important.”

I steal another glance at Jake, who’s still watching me. Everything feels surreal in this moment. The memories of our past have collided with this very real moment, somehow threading us back together. Like time is folding in on itself, bringing us right back to the beginning.

“So…” Jake steps a little closer, hands in his pockets, voice casual. “Are you here now? In Denver?”

I nod, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, we just moved. New job, new city, new everything.”

His eyebrows lift, barely a fraction. “We?”

“Me and my kids. Noah and Meadow.”

Jake’s expression shifts slightly, something like surprise flashing across his face. I can practically see him trying to piece things together. He nods slowly. “That’s amazing, Charlie. I bet they keep you busy.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” I laugh, shaking my head.

Jake chuckles, but I can tell there’s another question lingering behind his eyes. “So, is it just you and the kids here, or...?”

There it is. I feel the tiniest jolt at his question, even though I know he’s trying his best to ask politely.

“Smooth,” I say playfully, covering my nerves. “But it’s just me and the kids. No husband if that’s what you’re asking.”

His shoulders relax and his mouth curls at the edges. “Still sharp as ever, huh?”

---