Chapter 34
Everything changed just after dessert.
The team had gathered in the lounge, full from dinner, riding the high of a week’s worth of collaboration, flirtation, and genius. Wine glasses clinked. Laughter echoed. The rooftop was still calling.
Then the hotel rep approached Blake mid-toast.
“The client,” she said gently, “would love the pitch tonight. If possible.”
Blake blinked. Then smiled. “Well. Advertising waits for no one.”
An hour later, the team was polished, focused, and standing tall in front of Seabreeze’s executive team.
Jamie had the clicker. Camille had the visuals. Blake opened the pitch – and let his team do the rest.
They talked about transformation, about retreat, about becoming.
They showed the photos, the wine, the laughter, the moments that mattered.
Jamie’s voice was confident, his words crisp, his delivery flawless.
Blake watched him from the back of the room, arms crossed, chest full.
He was so damn proud.
The execs nodded. Smiled. Jotted notes.
By the end, they were clapping.
“It’s fresh,” the hotel director said. “It’s emotional. It’s real.“
Blake exhaled. “Then we did our job.”
The team left the meeting glowing – Jacob calling for cocktails, Camille already planning selfies under the fairy lights, Trisha pretending not to cry.
Blake and Jamie lingered behind.
“Can you believe this week?” Jamie asked as they walked the hallway back to the suite. “I mean, you might actually get tired of hearing how brilliant you are.”
Blake smiled, the kind that curled slow and private. “If I ever forget, I’ll just ask you to remind me.”
Jamie was about to suggest exactly how he might do that when Blake’s phone rang.
He checked the screen.
Paused.
Answered.
“Sterling.”
His face changed.
That tight, focused look Jamie had only seen in meetings. The one that said something serious had just landed on his shoulders.
Jamie stood quietly, letting it happen.
When Blake ended the call, he sighed. “London. A client’s threatening to pull. I have to be on the next red-eye.”
Jamie blinked. “Tonight?”
Blake nodded. “In two hours.”
Jamie swallowed. “Okay. What do you need?”
Blake looked at him. “You’re not upset?”
“I mean, yeah, selfishly… but I know what your job means. Go fix it.”
Blake stepped closer. “You’re making it really hard to walk away, Capulet.”
Jamie smiled softly. “I’m just trying not to fall apart while you’re packing.”
Back in the Paris suite, Blake was throwing clothes into a bag with efficient chaos.
Jamie leaned against the wall, watching him, arms folded tightly across his chest.
“I was gonna seduce you tonight,” Jamie murmured. “With mood lighting and maybe a towel.”
Blake zipped his suitcase shut. “Cruel. Truly cruel.”
He stepped closer. “Come here.”
Jamie did.
Blake kissed him.
Not rushed. Not goodbye.
A kiss that said we’re not finished. That said this matters. That said I will come back to you.
When they parted, Jamie’s eyes were glassy.
Blake rested their foreheads together. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Jamie nodded. “You better. I was emotionally prepared to wake up sore tomorrow.”
Blake laughed, even as he stepped away, even as it broke his heart.
“I’ll text when I land.”
“You better.”
Blake kissed him once more, lingering, then pulled away.
And just like that – he was gone.
Jamie sat alone in the Paris suite, curled under a blanket with the pillow Blake had slept on beside him.
The team would fly home in the morning.
But tonight?
Tonight he missed someone who had made a promise with a kiss and meant it.