Page 153 of Seal the Deal

I unfold the paper, revealing the handwritten recipe. Simple and neat, yet priceless. I look up at him, my throat tightening.

“Jake… thank you.”

He shrugs, playing it cool, but I see the pride in his eyes. “Just promise you’ll think of me whenever you make ‘em.”

I nod. “I promise. And I’ll seal the deal.” I extend my pinky, and he hooks his around mine.

“Deal,” he says, voice rough as he kisses his thumb to seal it.

For a moment we just stand there, grinning awkwardly at each other. Before I can overthink, I step forward and hug him tight. He’s warm, solid, and feels like home.

“Don’t forget about me,” I whisper into his shoulder.

“Not a chance.”

I pull away, just enough to meet his eyes. There’s something earnest there, something that makes my heart stumble.

“I’ll miss you,” I admit.

“Same here,” he says, his expression soft. “But hey, if we ever meet again we’ll make more Mega S’mores.”

I smile, blinking away the burn in my eyes. “See ya, Jake.”

As I turn to climb back onto the bus, he calls after me in a mock superhero voice, “Remember, Lady Lightning—chase your dreams!”

I laugh, waving as I step up. “You too, Captain Thunder!”

The bus pulls away, and I watch him through the window until he’s just a speck in the distance. My heart feels full and heavy all at once, but there’s a new resolve in me. A promise to keep that spark alive. To chase my dreams, just like we promised under the stars.

***

Charlie - Present Day

I sit on the couch, Noah nestled under my arm, his small body warm and safe against mine. The day’s events have drained me, but all I can focus on now is the steady rhythm of his breathing. He’s here. He’s safe. For the first time in hours, my lungs feel like they can fill again.

Jake sits on Noah’s other side, his eyes following him warmly as he chats away. He’s relaxed, but there’s a tension beneath his steady exterior, like a rope pulled too tight. We haven’t had time to talk yet, not since everything today.

Noah squirms beside me, his energy fading into something quieter. He glances up at Jake, his voice soft. “You didn’t say goodbye before you left last week, Jake.”

The words slice through the room, unexpected. I glance at Jake, feeling the flicker of guilt pass between us. Neither of us was ready for that.

Jake shifts, running a hand through his hair. “I know, buddy,” he says gently, meeting my eyes for a beat before looking back at Noah. “I wanted to. But… I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Noah studies him, his brow furrowing as if weighing the apology. Finally, he nods and leans closer, fingers reaching out to brush Jake’s knee, like he needs the connection.

The tightness in my chest loosens a little more. Jake’s become so much to all of us. Watching him with Noah,it’s clear how much we’ve all missed him.

But the fight—the things I said—they’re still there, waiting to be acknowledged. I owe Jake more than a quick sorry. He deserves better than the fear I threw at him, the doubts I let control me. But I’m not sure where to start.

My eyes flick toward the kitchen counter, where the brownie I made this morning sits under a cake stand. The one I planned to give him after my meeting, after I told him I was sorry. It feels small now, insignificant after today. But the words I iced on top are still true.

You’re the dream.

Noah’s voice pulls me back. “Jake, did you know the biggest volcano in space is on Mars?”

Jake grins, that familiar warmth lighting in his eyes. “I didn’t know that, but now I do. Thanks to you, buddy.”

Noah beams, sinking deeper into my side as he rambles about space. Jake listens, his soft laughter matching Noah’s energy, but his gaze keeps drifting to me, unspoken words pressing into the space between us.

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