Page 35 of Seal the Deal

Charlotte - 12 Years Ago

The kids are buzzing, their excitement spilling over as they gather around us for the nature hike they’ve been talking about all day. Jake stands beside me, hands shoved in his pockets, wearing a grin that almost hides the nerves radiating off him. Almost. He’s been a little on edge ever since we were asked to take this group out, but I know he’ll be great. He just doesn’t realize it yet.

“Alright, kids!” I clap my hands to focus their attention. “Who’s ready for an adventure?”

A chorus of cheers erupts, and I catch Jake’s eye as I continue. “We’re going to explore the woods, find some cool rocks, and maybe even spot a few animals. But first, we need to make sure we stick together. No running off, okay?”

The kids nod, their eyes wide with anticipation, and I bump Jake’s shoulder lightly. “You ready, Captain Thunder?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, Lady Lightning,” he says, voice steady but shoulders tense.

We set off, and as expected, the kids are a tornado of energy—darting after bugs, tripping over rocks, and shouting about everything they see. Jake keeps pace, his voice calm but firm as he wrangles the chaos. He doesn’t realize it, but he’s got this quiet authority that makes people listen.

When a little girl named Lily trips and scrapes her knee, Jake’s by her side in an instant. He crouches down, his voice low and soothing. “Hey, tough cookie. You’re okay. Know what I used to do when I got a scrape like this? Pretend it was a battle scar from fighting dragons. Wanna try?”

Her sniffles turn to giggles, and she nods. He helps her to her feet, dusting off her shorts. “There you go. Now, let’s get back to our adventure.”

When he looks back at me, I smile warmly. His expression is a mix of surprise and something softer, like he’s still processing that he’s capable of this. That he’s good at this.

By the time we return to camp, the kids are worn out but happy. The tension has eased from Jake’s shoulders, and I give him a playful nudge. “You were great out there, you know.”

He glances at me, a little sheepish. “I don’t know about that. You did most of the work.”

“No, Jake. They listened to you. They look up to you.” I meet his eyes, holding his gaze. “You make people feel safe. That’s not something you can fake.”

For a moment, he just looks at me, like he’s trying to figure out why I believe in him so much. Like I’ve given him something he didn’t know he needed. Then he nods, his voice soft. “Thanks, Charlie.”

That night, as I lie in my bunk, I replay the events of the day and the way he looked at me. Vulnerable, uncertain, and quietly grateful.

It’s small, but it sticks with me. Because in that moment, I saw something in him—a need to be seen and valued—and it made me want to be that person for him.

The one who always believes in him, no matter what.

***

Charlie - Present Day

ThePlay It Forward fundraiser is a busy, bright mix of laughter, voices, and kids darting around tables. Everywhere I look, clusters of people are deep in conversation, all here to support Jake’s foundation. I didn’t expect to feel so proud of him, but I am.

Jake’s completely in his element, moving from group to group, his smile wide, his laugh carrying across the room. He’s magnetic. And I’m just as captivated as everyone else, watching him interact with the kids and seeing firsthand just how much this means to him. Kids crowd around him, clinging to his every word as he crouches down, engaging each of them with such genuine warmth.

My kids are no exception. Noah’s wearing Jake’s cap from last night, excitedly describing his latest LEGO build. Jake listens with a focus most adults skip over, nodding as if Noah’s explaining something groundbreaking. Meanwhile, Meadow’s taken to Jake like she’s known him forever. When she’s not perched on his knee, she’s riding on his shoulders, her giggles loud enough to turn heads. Watching him with them feelsunsettlinglyattractive. Like I'm seeing a glimpse of something I shouldn’t be letting myself want.

Every so often, I catch him glancing my way. There’s something steady in his look, like he’s tuning the whole room out for just a second, focused entirely on me. Each time our eyes meet, my chest thunders with a mix of excitement and terror knotting together.I need air.

“Someone’s got it bad.” Zoe sidles up to me, pretending to peruse the desserts before snagging a cupcake.

I pluck it from her hand and set it back on the display. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Oh come on, Charlie.” She sighs dramatically, like she’s dealing with a clueless child. “He’s been giving you heart eyes since you walked in.”

“We’re just friends,” I argue, but even to my ears the denial sounds weak.

“Friends?” She raises a brow. “Friends, my ass. Right now, he’s staring at you likeyou’rethe dessert that should be on this table.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t ignore the way my heart skips at thethought.

“Humor me,” she says, tilting her head. “Look across the room and tell me who he’s staring at right now.”

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