Page 73 of Seal the Deal

As if on cue, Chase walks in. “Did I hear my name beingmentioned? Talking about my undeniable charm again?”

“More like your undeniable failure rate,” Tamara shoots back. “How’s Zoe today? Managed to avoid the death glare?”

Chase smirks, leaning against the doorframe and glancing out to where Zoe and Charlie are deep in conversation. “She loves me. She just needs time.”

“Time, and maybe a restraining order,” I mutter, grabbing a drink from Ryan.

“She’s playing hard to get,” Chase says with a shrug. “I respect the long game.”

“Yeah, and we respect your delusion,” Tamara fires back, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

Before Chase can respond, Claire gasps. “Is that—Tam, is that a ring?!”

Tamara smiles, letting Claire grab her hand for a closer look. “Yep. Eli proposed last night in our backyard.”

I turn to Eli, who’s hovering by the doorway, and slap him on the back. “Congrats, man! Took you long enough.”

Eli shrugs, looking unbothered. “Had to make sure she’d say yes.”

“Enough about us,” Tamara says, waving off the attention and lowering her voice. “What’s going on with you and Charlie, Jake? You’ve been glued to her all day.”

“Can you blame him?” asks Ryan. “The guy’s clearly smitten.”

I glance toward the living room, where Charlie is laughing with Zoe and the kids, completely oblivious to our conversation. My chest tightens at the sight. She fits. Here, with my friends, with me. And the thing is, it doesn’t feel forced. It feels right.

“Yeah,” I say, almost to myself. “I am.”

“Good,” Eli says, slapping my back. “Now stop being a pussy and lock it down.”

“You guys are relentless,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“Only because we care,” Claire says. “And because we want you to be happy, Jake.”

I am happy. She makes me happy.

Before I can dwell on it, Meadow and Noah come barreling into the kitchen, Meadow’s curls bouncing as she skids to a stop in front of me.

“Jake! Jake! Can we play tag outside? Please?” she pleads, tugging on my hand.

I glance out the window, where the sun is dipping lower, casting the yard in golden light. “It’s getting a bit late, Princess. Maybe we should stick to indoor games.”

“Noooo.” She pouts, her eyes pleading. “Please, Jake?”

I sigh, unable to resist those eyes. “Alright, but just for a little while.”

Meadow cheers, dragging Noah toward the back door. I glance at Charlotte, now lounging on the sofa with Zoe. She raises an eyebrow and makes a whipping gesture in my direction, her smirk pure mischief. Brat.

I shake my head, laughing as I follow the kids outside. The cool evening air greets us, and soon enough, everyone joins in for a chaotic game of tag. Meadow’s giggles fill the yard as she chases Ryan, and Noah laughs as Eli pretends to trip over his own feet.

“Tag, Jake! You’re it!” Meadow shouts, whacking me before darting off.

I pretend to stumble as I charge after her. She giggles uncontrollably as I scoop her up in my arms, and I feel a surge of pride in making her so happy.

When Charlotte steps outside, her soft gaze finds me. I can see the affection in her gaze, and it makes me want to be the reason she continues to feel that way.

“Alright, you two,” I say, gesturing to Noah and Meadow. “Dinner time!”

As we head inside, Charlie lingers for a moment, her eyes catching mine, and that smile of hers nearly undoes me.

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