Chapter 5
Jamie had not agreed to this.
Okay, technically, he had agreed.
But only because Ryan and Shona had dragged him to happy hour with the firm after work and bribed him with mozzarella sticks and gin.
The entire team buzzed with Friday energy and cheap drinks.
And then he arrived.
Blake Sterling, looking unfairly good in a dark shirt, sleeves rolled, collar open, the faintest shadow of scruff along his jaw.
He walked into the bar like he owned it – and honestly, Jamie wouldn’t have been surprised if he did – and greeted everyone like they were old friends.
Charismatic. Warm. Magnetic.
The room tilted around him.
Jamie took a sip of his second drink and tried to become invisible.
Low profile. Low profile. Be a lamp.
Blake spotted him.
And beelined.
Of course he did.
Jamie immediately turned to Shona. “So these coasters are… very circular.”
Shona blinked. “Jamie…”
“Capulet,” Blake said smoothly, leaning against the high-top table like a sin in business casual. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Jamie took a sip, careful not to choke. “It’s a company gathering. You’re the one who organized it.”
“True,” Blake said, eyes sparkling. “Still – feels a bit off-brand. You seem more like a wine bar, jazz playlist, book-of-the-month-club kind of guy.”
Jamie narrowed his eyes. “You don’t know me.”
“Don’t I?”
There was that damn smirk again.
Ryan popped up behind Jamie, grinning. “We’re doing darts. Capulet here claims he’s a natural.”
Jamie turned slowly. “I said no such thing.”
“Great,” Blake said before Jamie could protest. “Let’s make it interesting. You and me. One-on-one.”
Jamie blinked. “I’m not playing against you.”
“Why not?” Blake shrugged. “Scared?”
Jamie scoffed. “Of darts? Please. I just don’t want to embarrass you in front of your employees.”
Blake’s grin was practically indecent. “Oh, Capulet. You already did that on the plane.”
Jamie choked on his drink.
Ryan howled.
“I hate you,” Jamie muttered.
“No, you don’t,” Blake said smoothly. “Come on. One round. If I win, you owe me a drink.”
“And if I win?” Jamie crossed his arms.
“I’ll answer one question. Any question. No dodging.”
Jamie hesitated.
Tempting.
The mystery of Blake Sterling was infuriating. Who was he really? Where had he come from? What did he think of Jamie’s 30,000-foot meltdown?
Why do I care so much?
He nodded. “Fine.”
They moved to the dartboard, the group forming a loose circle around them.
Shona leaned into Ryan. “Oh, this is foreplay.”
Ryan nodded. “Capulet’s about to combust.”
Jamie took the first shot.
And missed.
Spectacularly.
“Wow,” Blake said, biting back a grin. “Natural, huh?”
“Shut up,” Jamie hissed, cheeks burning.
Blake’s turn. He hit the outer ring. Not a bullseye – but close.
Show-off.
Jamie threw again.
This one landed.
Barely. Crooked. Technically on the board.
“Progress,” Blake said, mock applause. “Maybe next time you’ll hit the same zip code as the bullseye.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“I get that a lot.”
Another round. Blake nailed it again.
Jamie narrowed his eyes. “You’ve done this before.”
Blake shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe I’m just good with my hands.”
Jamie stared.
Blake smirked.
Oh, that was intentional. That was absolutely intentional.
Jamie blinked hard. “That’s harassment.”
“That’s flirting.”
“You don’t get to flirt with me.”
“I’m not your boss outside office hours.”
Jamie pointed. “That’s a technicality.”
Blake stepped closer, lowering his voice. “So is the fact that you never stopped watching me during that sales meeting.”
Jamie’s mouth went dry.
Abort. Abort. Abort.
The final dart hit the board – another near bullseye.
Game over.
Blake turned to him, playful but something steadier underneath. “Looks like you owe me a drink.”
Jamie’s voice came out quieter than he intended. “Yeah.”
Blake tilted his head. “You nervous?”
“Should I be?”
Blake smiled, slow and devastating. “You should definitely be curious.”
That sounded like a threat.
And just like that, he walked away to get their drinks.
Jamie turned to Ryan, wide-eyed.
Ryan took a sip of his beer. “You’re in trouble.”
Jamie groaned. “I know.”