Page 18 of Seal the Deal

I pack the brownies into a container, giving myself a small, quiet nod. Today is just another step forward, another piece in the life I’m building. And thanks to Zoe, I’ve got a friend who keeps pushing me to see the possibilities, reminding me that there’s more ahead than what’s behind.

Zoe arrives a moment later, her energy filling my home as she breezes in. “Speak of the devil,” I murmur, approaching the foyer.

“Charlie, my love, my light, myangel. These look amazing!” she exclaims, peeking into the box. “You’re a brownie genius.”

I shrug a shoulder, waving off the compliment. “They’re just brownies. It’s not rocket science.”

“Yeah, well, thesejust browniesare about to make me a hero, so thank you.”

“Zo Zo!” Meadow appears from the living room doorway, looking chaotic and excited to see her new favorite person. She slides in her socks across the polished wooden floor as fast as she can, barreling into Zoe’s legs.

Zoepasses me back the brownies so she can pick Meadow up in her arms. I watch as she presses her nose against my daughter’s in the cutest form of greeting I’ve ever seen.

“How’s my favorite three year old today? Being good for Mama?”

Meadow beams with a nod, her hair swishing around her shoulders as she does so. “We gonna have brownies!”

Zoe grins back. “Me too! We are pretty lucky to have your Mama’s brownies, aren’t we kid?”

“It’s bribery by brownies all round today,” I mutter as I watch Meadow wriggle out of Zoe’s arms and scuttle off again. I hand her back the box of brownies.

“Bye guys!” Zoe yells down the hallway. “Don't make the nanny run for the hills!”

I follow her to the door, suddenly feeling a bit nervous about where she’s going and who might be eating the brownies. “Hey… don’t tell them I made them, okay?” I struggle for an excuse. “I don’t want to bethat girltrying to impress the hockey team.”

Zoe snorts. “Your secret’s safe with me. But seriously, be proud of these.”

With that she’s gone, leaving me to clean up the kitchen and trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Jake.

Chapter six

Is this about the brownies or the girl?

Jake

Zoe’s marketing updates are barely cutting through my thoughts as I replay the game on Saturday and the unexpected shock of seeing Charlotte again. The girl who kept my head in the clouds that summer. The girl who’s been haunting my thoughts ever since we locked eyes across the rink.

God, she looked good. I’d tried to be respectful and not look, but my eyes had scanned her body on their own accord, and this woman was fire to all my senses. Curves for days, those little golden rings in the middle of her green eyes, that quiet air of strength she’s always had.

Zoe’s been droning on about fan engagement and some new social media ideas, and I’m trying to keep up, but all I keep seeing is Charlie's smile. Just as I’m thinking this meeting can’t get any less interesting, Zoe tosses a white bakery box onto the conference table, snapping me out of my trance.

“Alright, boys,” she says, sliding the lid off to reveal squares of thick, chocolate brownies. “A little treat to keep you going. Don’t say I never give you anything.”

Chase is already halfway into the box before Zoe can finish, his hand darting for the biggest piece. “Damn, Carlson, you’ve been holding out on us,” he says, taking a bite. “Oh God,they’re still warm.”

I reach for one, letting the rich chocolate scent fill my nose. They smell good. I’ve tried brownies from just about every bakery in Denver, always on the lookout for the best, trying to find a decent replica for the ones my Gran used to make. I'm a brownie snob and proud of it.

As soon as I take a bite, I freeze. The chocolate melts on my tongue, the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, with a hint of espresso. I can feel the familiarity and nostalgia in every bite as I chew. It’s like a little piece of heaven in my mouth, and I need to know where Zoe got them.

“Holy shit,” I mutter, earning a chuckle from the guys around me. “Where did you get these?”

Zoe just grins and shrugs. “A secret bakery.” She eyes me with a look that’s more than a little smug.

I narrow my eyes at her. Zoe knows damn well how much I love brownies. “Secret, huh? C’mon Carlson, you can tell your favorite client.”

“Not a chance,” she says, tapping her pen against her notes. “Consider it a trade secret.”

I blow out a low laugh and lean across the table, trying my damndest to not reach out for another slice. “Don’t hold out on me. You know I’m good for it.”

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