Page 22 of Seal the Deal

I hurry over, wiping my hands on my jeans, my breath catching when I see Jake standing there. He’s dressed casually in a t-shirt, jacket and jeans, but he fills the doorway in a way that’s impossible to ignore. Meadow, wide-eyed, stares up at him like he’s the most fascinating thing she’s ever seen. And honestly, I don’t blame her.

“Hi there,” Jake says, his smile warm as he crouches down to her level. “You must be Meadow.”

Meadow’s usual shyness vanishes. She sticks her hand out toward him just like I taught her, all business. “I’m Meadow. I’m three.”

Jake chuckles, gently taking her tiny hand. “Nice to meet you, Princess. I’m Jake.”

The nickname makes me melt. Let’s hope I’m not a complete puddle by the time he leaves. He just stepped into her world so naturally, and watching him with her, it’s hard to reconcile the boy I knew with the man he’s grown into. He’s hot. All man now. And the easy gentleness he shows Meadow just magnifies it.

When his eyes meet mine, my throat goes dry. He rises slowly, towering over me, and I can’t help but notice every inch of him. He’s tall, lean, and if I’m being honest, probably the best-looking man I’ve seen.

“Hey, thanks for coming over,” I say, trying to sound composed.

“Thanks for letting me barge in.” His eyes crinkle at the corners, and I don’t miss the way they sweep over me, taking in every detail. My pulse quickens, but I shake off the distraction, determined to stay focused.

Taking a breath, I open the door wider. Letting him step into our space feels like a whole wave of memories and possibilities all at once.

Brownies. He’s here for brownies. Forhisbrownies.

“Come on in.”

***

Jake

I’m not one to overthink, but as I pull up to Charlotte’s place, I realize I’ve done exactly that the whole drive here. What the hell am I doing? I’ve seen her once, and here I am pulling up outside her house like a lunatic because I can’t stop thinking about her.

Because of the brownies.Gran’s brownies.

But I know there’s more to it. She’s stuck with me since I saw her at the arena. Maybe it was her surprised look that day, like she couldn’t believe I was real. Or the memory of that summer, when she was my whole world for ten unforgettable weeks.

I look up at her house as I approach. It’s cozy, with a big porch that looks made for family dinners and lazy Sunday mornings. A swing hangs on one side, and I can picture her there, reading to her kids or watching them play in the yard. A thought suddenly stirs in me: I want that. Want to be part of something like that.

Before I can overthink, I ring the bell. There’s a scurry of activity before the door flies open, and a tiny strawberry-blonde tornado in a unicorn dress appears. Her eyes are bright blue, her expression one of fascination, like I’ve just arrived straight out of a fairy tale. She looks just like a mini version Charlotte. With lighter hair and different eyes, but with that same spark of light.

“Hi there,” I say, crouching down to her level. “You must be Meadow.”

She hesitates for only a second before she pops her little hand out, surprising me. “I’m Meadow. I’m three.”

I shake her tiny hand and chuckle. “Nice to meet you, Princess. I’m Jake.”

Her face lights up, and for a second, I’m completely disarmed. I’ve always had a soft spot for kids, but she’s a whole new level of adorable. Her innocence, her trust. It’s a lot to take in.

Behind her, Charlotte appears, looking a little flustered but still pulling off that natural grace she’s always had. “Hey, Jake. Thanks for coming over.”

“Thanks for letting me barge in.” I stand and take her in. She gives me a warm smile, and for a second, the tension eases.

Damn, she looks good. I immediately notice how her clothes hug her curves, how her hair falls in soft waves around her face. It’s hard to focus on anything else. I can't believe how nervous I am about this, like I'm desperate not to fumble this opportunity to spend time with her.

“Come on in,” she says, gesturing me through the door.

I step inside, absorbing the house’s warmth and color. Toys are scattered around, a half-finished LEGO spaceship sits on the coffee table, and there’s the faintest hint of vanilla and coffee in the air. It’s a real home, cozy and alive. Unlike my condo downtown, which feels more like a pit stop than a place to settle. Here I feel grounded, like I could stay a while.

Noah, focused on his LEGO creation, glances up when he sees me, his eyes going wide. “Are… are you that hockey player from the TV?”

I can’t help but chuckle as I approach him, noticing Charlotte’s cheeks pinken slightly as she replies, “Yeah, buddy, this is Jake.”

He looks at me with awe, as if I’ve just promised he can eat cereal out of the Stanley Cup itself, but then, just as quickly, it fades.

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