Page 62 of Seal the Deal

“Oh, it did,” I reply, lowering my voice. “It was amazing. But it’s not just the… toppings. It’s everything else. The way the pizza… looks at me, the way it… makes the kids so happy. It’s an intense pizza.”

Zoe’s eyes, glittering with barely contained amusement, soften as she clinks her coffee mug with mine. “Sounds like you’ve got yourself afive-star meal, Charlie.”

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “But what if it’s too good to be true?”

She tilts her head. “He’s not afast-foodkinda guy, Charlie. Can’t you tell?”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Yeah, it’s just… it’s a lot. But in a good way.”

“That’s because the pizza is head-over-heels, can’t-think-straight into you, babe.”

“Yeah, but what if it doesn’t last?” I blurt out, the fear that’s been gnawing at me finally surfacing. “Alex seemed all in too, and look how that turned out.”

Zoe’s playfulness fades at the mention of Alex's name. “The gourmet pizza isnothinglike that stale loaf of bread. And you’re not the same person you were back then, either. You’re stronger now, smarter. You’re allowed to want this, Charlie. You’re allowed to be happy.”

I snort at the comparison, but try to absorb her words. “I just don’t want the kids to get hurt. They’re already getting attached to him, especially Meadow.”

Zoe gives me a knowing look. “Which meansyou’regetting attached, too.”

I look down at my coffee, her words hitting me hard. “Maybe.”

“Look,” she says firmly, “you don’t have to have all the answers. Just take it one day at a time. And trust that he’s in this for the right reasons. I’ve known him for a few years now, and honestly? I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

“You think he’s ready for all this?”

Before she can answer, Meadow runs in, her eyes bright with excitement. “Mama! Can Jake read me a story again at bedtime?”

I chuckle, scooping her up into my arms. “We’ll see, honey bee. Jake might be busy tonight.”

“He promised.” Meadow pouts, resting her head on my shoulder.

Zoe shoots me a gleeful look.“And there’s your answer.”

I ignore her and turn back to Meadow, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll figure it out, honey bee.”

Zoe stands and stretches with a satisfied grin. “Well, I think that’s my cue to leave you with your gourmet meal—I mean, yourthoughts.”

She gives me a quick hug and waves to the kids before heading for the door. With a last wink, Zoe leaves me alone with my thoughts, and a little girl who’s already halfway in love with Jake.

As I watch Meadow wander back to the living room, I feel the weight of Zoe’s words.One day at a time.

Maybe that’s all I can do right now.

***

Jake

Ryan and I step into my condo, still laughing about something one of the guys said at practice. The door clicks shut, and it’s quiet, almost too quiet after the buzz of the arena.

I drop my bag by the door and stretch, the adrenaline from practice still humming in my veins. Ryan heads straight for the fridge like he owns the place, grabs two bottles of water, and tosses one my way.

“Man, I think we might actually have a shot at the playoffs this year,” he says, cracking his bottle open.

I lean back against the counter, nodding. “Yeah, we’ve got a good rhythm going. Just gotta keep it up.”

Ryan takes a long swig, glancing my way. “Definitely. About time we got our act together. And if Eli keeps playing like that, we’re golden.”

We trade a few more jabs and inside jokes about theteam, but I can feel Ryan’s tone shift. He’s got something on his mind, and I know him well enough to recognize it.

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