Chapter 28
The water sparkled like glitter in motion.
Two kayaks cut through the hotel’s private cove – Blake and Jamie paddling with absolutely no chill and zero intention of keeping things low-key.
“You’re steering like a drunk flamingo!” Jamie called, spinning lazily around Blake.
“I’m giving the waves a show!” Blake shot back. “Artistry, Capulet!”
“Chaos,” Jamie corrected.
“Chaos is hot.”
Jamie laughed, pushing forward, arms working, heart racing…
not from the workout.
Blake looked unfair.
Sleeveless top. Sun-warmed skin. Hair slightly wrecked by wind and salt.
That grin.
God.
They raced. They splashed. They collided once – very much on purpose.
Jamie nearly tipped…
but Blake caught his kayak with one hand.
“I’ve got you.”
Not loud.
Not teasing.
Jamie stilled.
Oh.
Five seconds passed before he remembered how to breathe.
Eventually, the guide waved them back.
They paddled in, slower now, laughter softer, something else settling between them.
Later, barefoot and still damp, they wandered to a quiet stretch of rocks near the water.
They sat side by side.
Feet dipping into the surf.
Wind. Waves. Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… full.
Blake nudged Jamie’s foot with his.
“So,” he said, “I’ve been thinking.”
Jamie glanced at him. “That sounds dangerous.”
Blake smiled slightly. “About that kiss.”
Jamie looked out at the water. “Yeah?”
A pause.
“I really want to do that again.”
Jamie swallowed. “Oh.”
Blake leaned back on his hands, eyes on the horizon.
“And not just that part,” he added. “Even though – yeah. That part.”
Jamie huffed a quiet laugh.
Blake turned his head.
“I like the way you talk when you forget to filter yourself. The way you light up when you’re working. The way you pretend you don’t notice things… even though you notice everything.”
A beat.
“I like you, Jamie.”
Simple.
Clear.
No smirk.
No teasing.
Jamie turned slowly, something in his chest shifting into place.
“I like you too,” he said softly.
Not rushed.
Not hidden.
“Not just the polished version. The real one. The guy who remembers things. Who actually listens. Who… sees me.”
Blake’s gaze softened.
He reached for Jamie’s hand.
Fingers lacing together.
Easy.
Natural.
Like they’d done it before.
The world seemed to pause around them.
“So,” Blake said quietly, a hint of something vulnerable breaking through, “do you want to try this? For real?”
Jamie smiled – soft, certain.
“You mean stop pretending we’re not already halfway there?”
Blake huffed a quiet laugh.
“Something like that.”
Jamie squeezed his hand.
“I’m in.”
And then…
they kissed.
Not tentative this time.
Not careful.
Real.
Jamie pulled him in, fingers curling at the back of Blake’s neck, closing the distance like he didn’t want to leave space for doubt.
Blake met him just as fully, hand steady at his waist, grounding, certain.
The kiss deepened naturally – familiar already, like they’d been building to it for days.
Warm. Intentional.
Right.
When they pulled back, it wasn’t far.
Foreheads touching.
Breath shared.
Jamie smiled, a little dazed. “Okay… yeah. That’s still very good.”
Blake laughed softly. “Good to know.”
A pause.
Then, quieter…
“Hi.”
Jamie blinked. “Hi.”
And just like that…
something had shifted.
Not just tension.
Not just maybe.
Something real.