(James's POV)
The sun was brutal against James's damp skin as he followed his father across the patio, drying off with a towel slung around his neck. From the way Henry Covey moved — brisk, sharp, no wasted steps — James knew this wasn't going to be a casual catch-up.
They stopped near the railing, overlooking the manicured gardens behind the pool.
Henry folded his arms, his dark blue shirt crisp despite the heat. His face was unreadable, except for the slight narrowing of his eyes. "We've got a situation," he said without preamble.
James rested a hand against the wooden post, feeling the rough texture under his fingers. "What kind of situation?"
Henry's gaze swept the horizon, like he was plotting moves no one else could see. "One of our East Coast partners pulled out of the project. Claimed 'irreconcilable differences,' but that's bullshit. There's more to it. I'm working it from the inside, making offers where needed. If this moves right, we'll get access to assets tied up for years. Quietly."
James nodded, letting the information sink in. Business moves — dirty, messy, but second nature to him by now. "You want me to help?"
Henry looked at him fully then, his mouth twitching into something almost like pride. "I need someone I can trust. Someone sharp. If we pull this off, you'll have your seat at the table earlier than planned."
There was a beat of silence.
James felt the old war inside him flare up — the part that wanted to grab Blair and drive as far from this world as possible, and the part that craved his father's approval like oxygen.
He cracked a crooked smile. "No pressure, huh?"
Henry clapped his shoulder, firm and solid. "You were made for this, son."
James nodded once. "Send me the details tonight."
As he turned back toward the pool, he caught a glimpse of Blair — soaked, laughing, splashing Andrew with a water gun.
The heat that swelled in his chest wasn't just pride. It was something deeper. A need to protect this — her — at all costs.
He jogged back down to the pool area just as he heard Cassie call out.
"Well, well, you guys have a stalker," she said, waving her phone around. "Someone took a picture of you and Blair this morning. It's already all over The Daily Gossip."
James leaned over to look.
Sure enough, there it was: a shot of him and Blair mid-run, her in his hoodie, both of them flushed and smiling. The caption was pure clickbait:
"James Covey and his mystery girl heating up the neighborhood!"
Jazmine floated lazily by. "That was bound to happen."
Andrew tossed a water balloon at Caleb and said, "Whoever runs that page is a menace. Always blasting secrets about us."
James smirked, locking eyes with Blair.
"At least now it's official. We're a couple."
Blair shot him a look, water dripping from her lashes. "I don't remember agreeing to that."
James shrugged casually, the grin on his face widening before he moved with purpose — grabbing her by the waist and tossing her back into the pool.
She shrieked, hitting the water with a splash, resurfacing laughing and cursing him out.
James dove in after her, swimming up and lifting her onto a floatie, while the gang erupted into full water war mode.
Water guns firing, floats flipping, shrieks and splashes filling the air.
It was chaos, it was reckless, it was perfect.
For a moment, James forgot about corporate deals, backroom strategies, and the weight of expectations pressing on his chest.
For a moment, it was just Blair — laughing, glowing, alive — and him, right where he wanted to be.
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The sun had barely slipped below the horizon when the group finally made their way back inside, dripping wet and glowing with laughter. They had towel-dried their hair, thrown on loose shirts and shorts, and gathered around the long wooden dining table in the kitchen, feasting on grilled seafood, fries, and cold sodas.
Blair sat beside James, casually stealing fries from his plate, while Maddie fed Caleb a bite of shrimp. Jazmine, draped in a fluffy robe, was mid-story when a maid appeared at the entrance of the dining room.
"Miss Cassie, a young man named Joseph is here to see you."
The room quieted slightly.
Cassie blinked, casually dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin before standing. "Oh yeah, let him in."
Jazmine narrowed her eyes. "He knows you're here?"
Cassie tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I invited him, Jaz."
Andrew raised an eyebrow, then exchanged a look with Jazmine. In perfect sync, they leaned back and went, "Ouuuuu," making kissing noises like mischievous children.
Cassie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Grow up."
When Joseph walked in, tall and athletic with soft curls and a charming grin, Cassie walked right up to him and hugged him tightly. "Guys," she said, fingers laced in his, "this is Joseph."
A chorus of "Hey," and "Hi," echoed around the room, though a few side-eyes were exchanged.
Caleb stood up from his seat with a quiet authority. "Hi Joseph. I'm Cassie's elder brother," he said, stepping forward with a tight-lipped smile. "I hope you understand what that means."
Cassie elbowed him, half-laughing, half-warning. "Caleb, stop."
She took Joseph's hand and led him upstairs.
As soon as their footsteps disappeared, Jazmine leaned across the table, "So that's her mysterious Joseph."
Andrew chuckled. "She's definitely making a statement."
Meanwhile, Blair poked at her food absentmindedly. "Do you think Cassie invited him because of us?"
James raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… she's clearly not over you. I saw her watching us earlier. Maybe we should tone it down around her, just… be less coupley."
James leaned back in his chair, annoyed. "You want us to act like friends?"
Blair sighed. "Just around her. I don't want her to feel worse."
James stared at her for a moment, then scoffed lightly. "She's over me, Blair."
"James, please," Blair said gently, placing a hand on his.
He exhaled. "Fine. Whatever makes you feel better."
Blair smiled softly and returned to her plate, though James's jaw was tense as he stabbed a piece of grilled fish.
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