Page 26 of Seal the Deal

Setting my coffee down, I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s just… I haven’t seen him in years, and suddenly he’s back in my life, and I’m supposed to… what? Text him about baking like it’s no big deal?”

“Charlie, it’s atext,not a marriage proposal. You’re overthinking this.”

“I know,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “But it’s not just the text. It’s everything. I’m not the same person I was back then, and neither is he. He’sJake Brooks. And I’m just me.”

Zoe waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, please. You’re amazing, and if he doesn’t see that, then he’s a fool. But from what you’re telling me, he’s definitely not a fool.”

I smile, feeling a little better but still unsure. “He’s… I don’t know. We haven’t seen each other in years. This is probably just nostalgia.”

“Nostalgia doesn’t make a guy like Jake offer to help you bake,” Zoe says, folding her arms again like she’s ready to debate me into the ground. “This is real, Charlie. And you deserve something real.”

I want to believe her, but I still feel that nagging doubt. “I just don’t want to assume something that’s not there.”

She leans forward, her tone softening but still laced with that Zoe-branded determination. “Listen. You’re not imagining this. You guys are like magnets. Freaky, once-in-a-lifetime, defy-the-laws-of-physics magnets. It’s honestly uncomfortable to witness, but that’s why it works.”

I scoff, but she keeps going before I can interrupt.

“Just take it slow, see what happens. No one’s saying marry him tomorrow. But don’t be that person who misses out because you’re scared of falling.”

“Was that a pep talk or a secret audition for motivational speaking? Because I feel like you could trademark the magnet thing.”

She narrows her eyes, feigning offense. “Wow. I try to inspire you, and this is the thanks I get? I could’ve gone with something boring, likeconnection, but magnets felt more iconic. You’re welcome.”

I laugh in disbelief. “You’re way too invested in this.”

“Damn right I am.” She stands, stretching her arms like she’s just won a championship. “Because I’m rooting for you, Charlie. And trust me, whatever this is—it’s real. So can you just hurry up and text him?”

“Ugh, fine. I’ll text him… eventually.”

“Good. And when you two get married, I’ll expect my name in the thank you speeches.”

She heads to the door, but before she leaves, she turns back with a smirk. “Oh, and by the way, I’ve got a meeting in a few minutes with some of the Storm players. Just thought you should know. In case you want to, ya know,accidentallybump into someone.”

“Zoe!” I launch a pen at her, but she dodges it with a cackle, and disappears down the corridor.

Shaking my head, I try to refocus on my work, but now all I can think about is the possibility of running into Jake in the office.

I glance at my coffee cup, now empty on my desk—drank that too fast. I stare at it for a moment, like it holds the answers to all my questions, but all it does is silently shout at me for a refill. And who am I to argue with the needs of questionable amounts of caffeine in my bloodstream? I swipe it up, deciding to refill it in the office kitchen.

Stepping out of my office, my stomach flips when I see Jake heading down the hall. He’s all tailored suit and effortless confidence, and when his slow grin lands on me, my pulse stumbles.

“Charlotte,” he says, his voice holding a mock professionalism as he closes the distance. “Fancy seeing you here.”

I arch a brow, channeling every ounce of cool I don’t feel. “Yeah, I work here, remember?”He smells ridiculous—like cedar and trouble.

He chuckles, the sound curling around me in a way that makes it hard to focus. “Hard to forget.”

We fall into step together, his arm brushing mine as we walk. I’m hyper-aware of how close he is, how his cologne sinks into me, and I can feel my brain short-circuiting. Somehow, I manage to keep walking without tripping, which feels like a small victory.

When we reach the kitchen, I busy myself with the coffee machine, gripping the handle like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality.

“What can I get you?” I ask, keeping my voice light.It’s just coffee, Charlie. Not a life-or-death situation.

He leans casually against the counter, the corner of his mouth curving upward, dimple on full display. “How about you tell me what’s good? Just don’t make me drink that dark, bitter stuff you’re into.”

I glance at him, fighting a smile. “Sweeteners are for the weak.”And I’m about as weak as they come.

His laugh is deep and entirely too distracting. “Zoe warned me you’d say something like that.”

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