Chapter 21
Monday mornings were usually a cruel blend of caffeine dependency and inbox regret.
But not today.
Because today, Blake Sterling walked into the open office like a man on a mission – stylish, smiling, and carrying both a latte and chaos in his eyes.
“So,” Blake said, clapping his hands once. “Who here has a valid passport and three days they’re willing to spend away from their amazing desks?”
Heads turned. Brows lifted. Keyboards paused mid-click.
“I need a mini strike team,” Blake continued, pacing slowly. “Upcoming campaign. Client wants us on-site. Preferably yesterday. One person from each department.”
A beat.
“You have five minutes.”
And then…
he grinned.
“Go.”
At the writing pod, there was no debate.
“You’re single,” Nora said, pointing at Jamie. “No kids, no pets, no excuses.”
“You love planes,” Ryan added. “Well. You love panicking on planes.”
Elise handed Jamie a pen. “Go. Do us proud. And flirt strategically.”
Jamie sighed, scribbling his name.
This is a terrible idea.
A beat.
I’m absolutely doing it.
He made the rounds, gathering names, barely thinking as he moved.
Four minutes later, he stood outside Blake’s office.
List in hand.
Heart doing something… unnecessary.
He knocked once and stepped in.
Blake looked up immediately.
“Capulet,” he said, leaning back. “Getting brave, I see.”
Jamie held out the paper. “I’m just following instructions.”
Blake took it, scanning.
Paused.
Smirked.
“So,” he said, tapping the page lightly, “we’re flying together again.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, but this time you already know all my secrets.”
Blake looked up, eyes bright. “So you’re saying if we hit turbulence…”
A slow smile.
“It’s my turn?”
Jamie grinned. “I want the uncensored version.”
Blake leaned back, considering him.
“Oh, you’re not ready for that.”
That sounded like a promise.
Jamie’s pulse kicked.
“Try me,” he said.
Blake’s smile deepened – just enough to feel dangerous.
“We’ll see.”
Later that day, the email hit:
Subject: TRAVEL TEAM: BE READY
Body: Meet at the Airport. Terminal 2. 07:00 sharp. Carry-on only. We move fast.
– Blake S.
Jamie stared at it.
This is actually happening.
That evening, his apartment was chaos.
Pizza boxes. Open suitcase. Clothes in questionable piles.
Ryan was sorting chargers like it was a military operation. Shona was throwing outfits like a stylist on a caffeine high.
“You need something scandalous,” Shona declared, holding up a silky black shirt Jamie definitely did not remember buying. “This says corporate professional accidentally seduces a CEO.”
Jamie choked on his beer. “It says laundry day and poor decisions.”
Ryan nodded solemnly. “Bring the tight jeans. You know the ones.”
Jamie groaned. “You two are unhinged.”
Shona pointed a slice of pizza at him. “You’re going away for three days. With Blake Sterling. Who called you babe in public.”
A beat.
“You need something that makes him forget how to spell his name.”
Ryan raised his bottle. “To tight jeans and emotionally loaded layovers.”
Jamie laughed.
But underneath it…
something shifted.
Quiet.
Real.
This isn’t just work.
He looked at the half-packed suitcase.
The black shirt.
The tight jeans.
The plane ticket waiting.
And felt it.
Giddy.
Nervous.
Hopeful.
Ready.
Oh, this is going to be trouble.