Page 142 of Seal the Deal

Zoe snorts, setting down her cup with a clink. “Girl, you’ve got to be kidding me. Jake’s not walking away because of one stupid argument.”

“I told him I might leave,” I remind her. “I threw New Zealand in his face, Zoe.”

She purses her lips and nods. “Okay, so you freaked out. You’re human! And we all know Alex is an A-grade asshole, the custody stuff is no joke. But Jake? He’s been obsessed with you since the second you two reconnected.”

I glance out my office window again, watching a couple stroll by below, bundled up against the cold. Their easy laughter feels like a world away from the mess I’ve made.

“That’s the thing,” I say. “Jake’s been perfect. He’s patient, supportive, and he loves the kids like they’re his own. And then I go and drop the 'I might leave’ bomb on him like an idiot.”

Zoe narrows her eyes, but there’s no judgment. “You didn’t drop a bomb, you just showed him you’re scared. And honestly? Jake’s not Alex. He’s not going to punish you for freaking out. If anything, he’ll get it.”

“He’s gone for a whole fucking week. I don’t think I can cope with not speaking to him for that long.”

She scoffs, giving me a knowing look. “You two can’t go five hours without texting each other. He’ll probably FaceTime you between every damn period just to mark his territory.”

I let out a small laugh. She’s right. Jake always checks in, no matter where he is. He makes me feel like I’m never far from his mind.

“I hope so.”

Zoe stands, hands on her hips. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Get through the day, make your pre-planning your bitch. And when Jake calls, which he will, you’ll talk to him like a normal person. No overthinking every damn thing. Okay?”

My shoulders rise as I take in a deep breath, the tension loosening just a fraction. “Okay.”

She smirks, leaning down to grab her cup, eyes twinkling mischievously. “And hey, look on the bright side—makeup sex is the universe’s way of rewarding all that tension. Might as well make the most of it.”

I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me. “You’re incorrigible.”

Zoe gives me a wink before turning toward the door. “That’s why you love me, babe.”

***

The office buzzes, but I can’t focus. My eyes keep drifting to the notes for Friday’s client meeting, but the words blur. All I can think about is last night’s fight, the tension lingering like a shadow.

My phone buzzes beside me, the screen lighting up with a new message. I grab it, hoping it’s him.

Jake:How’s your day?

A familiar tightness twists in me. He’s checking in, but the words feel heavy. Measured. He’s still hurt, and even though we’re both pretending, everything’s not fine.

Me:Busy. Trying to stay focused for the meeting on Friday.

I set the phone down, but the guilt lingers. This meeting is supposed to be my moment, my chance to prove myself. But all I can think about is Jake—the hurt in his eyes when I threw leaving Denver in his face. The silence that followed.

Jake:You’ve got this. I know it.

Tears burn the back of my eyes. His belief in me is so certain, but I can’t shake the fear gnawing at me—that I might lose him because of my own panic.

Me:Thanks. How’s practice?

Jake:Good. Missing you.

I stare at the screen, heart sinking. I miss him too, but I don’t know how to bridge this gap between us. Ourfight hangs unresolved, and every text feels like we’re dancing around it.

Me:Miss you, too. Wish we could talk.

The dots appear, then disappear again. The tension builds as I wait for his reply.

Jake:We will. Once I’m back.

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