Chapter 18
The Ritual Coffee Launch Party was everything Jamie had secretly hoped it would be.
Soft music floated through the air, mingling with the buzz of conversation. Fairy lights curled across ceiling beams. The photo wall shimmered with pinned Polaroids, smiles caught mid-laugh. A wish tree stood near the entrance, hung with handwritten tags.
The scent of espresso, vanilla, and roasted sugar wrapped around everything.
Warm. Inviting.
Real.
Jamie, in his tailored blazer and olive-green shirt, had already collected four compliments and one stunned silence from a coworker who had nearly walked into a potted plant.
He was riding the high.
Okay. Maybe I do turn heads.
And then…
Blake walked in.
Black suit. No tie. Shirt open just enough. A small gold coffee bean pin catching the light.
Jamie definitely noticed.
Blake’s eyes swept the room…
landed on him…
and stayed there.
Jamie smiled.
Oh, we’re doing this tonight.
They ended up side by side at the dessert table, both pretending to consider their options.
Jamie picked both.
Obviously.
Blake handed him an espresso shot. “For courage.”
Jamie raised it. “Or for caffeine-fueled flirting.”
Blake smirked. “I’m glad you didn’t bring a date.”
Jamie arched a brow. “Why? Scared of competition?”
Blake took a sip. “Would’ve had to stay on top of my game all night. Which is exhausting.”
A beat.
“And I didn’t wear comfortable shoes.”
Jamie laughed, warm and easy. “Good thing you’re naturally charming.”
“Still,” Blake added, quieter now, “I’m glad you came solo.”
That felt pointed.
Jamie took a bite of panna cotta, buying himself a second. “Are we flirting right now, or just making dangerously loaded small talk?”
Blake met his eyes. “Can’t it be both?”
Jamie huffed a laugh. “At least warn me before you start reciting vows.”
Blake leaned in slightly. “I’ll save those for the second date.”
Jamie nearly choked. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re blushing.”
“I’m overheating. There’s a difference.”
They clinked espresso glasses.
They drifted through the party together.
Not planned.
Not announced.
Just… happening.
At the photo wall, Jamie pointed. “Look. Us. The fake couple.”
Blake studied the photo. “Speak for yourself. I was deeply committed to the bit.”
“Please. You barely even proposed.”
“Yet.”
Jamie rolled his eyes, but didn’t let go of the moment as he pulled Blake toward the guest book.
Blake read one aloud: “I hope Ritual becomes part of someone’s love story.”
Jamie smiled. “That’s the whole idea, right?”
Blake looked at him.
“Yeah,” he said. “It really is.”
That felt like more than branding.
At the wish tree, Jamie read a card:
“I wish I could find someone who makes mornings feel worth it.”
Blake leaned closer. “Think we should start offering matchmaking services?”
Jamie smirked. “What, you want to run a dating app now?”
“Only if you’re the face of it.”
Jamie nudged him. “You really are dangerous at parties.”
And not just because of the flirting.
They stopped at the coffee tasting table.
Jamie eyed the blindfold and immediately shook his head. “I have control issues.”
Blake laughed softly. “Noted.”
They stood side by side, cups in hand.
Closer than necessary.
Not moving away.
The music shifted – slower now. Softer.
The lights caught in Blake’s hair.
“You really did something tonight,” Blake said, looking around. “People are feeling this.”
Jamie followed his gaze.
The laughter. The warmth. The small, real moments.
“We did it,” he said.
Blake’s eyes came back to him.
“Mostly you.”
Jamie looked down, heat rising again.
Don’t deflect. Just take it.
He looked back up, smile softer now.
“Careful,” he said quietly. “Or I might start thinking this is more than work.”
Blake didn’t look away.
“Maybe it is.”
Jamie’s breath caught.
Oh.
He didn’t answer.
He didn’t trust himself to.
But he didn’t look away either.
And Blake…
Blake looked at him like he already knew.