Chapter 19

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Blake's POV

"We're gonna be landing soon." Ezra says, his voice steady and professional as always.

I nod, glancing out the window at the overcast sky. It's almost fitting, really. The gray clouds feel like a reflection of my mood—a swirling mix of tension and frustration that I can't quite shake. And then, there's Maya. She's sitting across the aisle from me, head tilted against the seat, scrolling through her phone.

We've barely spoken since our fight, and honestly, I'm in no rush to change that.

Across the cabin, Matteo and Aria are deep in conversation, oblivious to the tension in the air. Matteo's easy laughter fills the space as Aria murmurs something that makes him smirk.

We're all on our way to Italy. Turns out the O'Conners are there for business so they set up the meeting there. Thanksgiving is also coming up so it's kind of perfect we'll get to spend it with the family.

My eyes land on Maya. She's so beautiful. She's beautiful in the kind of way that sneaks up on you, that makes you second-guess whether you ever noticed it at all before now.

I think at first I only wanted to sleep with her. I was so drawn to her that I thought maybe sleeping with her would make it stop. So I told myself to seduce her I had to make her laugh.

But every time she laughed I was the one who fell deeper.

I catch her glancing up, her eyes briefly meeting mine before she quickly looks away, as if she's afraid I'll see whatever's written there. She shifts in her seat, uncomfortable, and I don't miss the way her fingers tighten around her phone just a little.

"Hey, Blake," a voice purrs from across the aisle. I look up to see one of the associates—a young woman with a sharp smile and a sleek, professional look. She's clearly positioned herself in a way that demands attention, her eyes lingering on me just a bit too long.

We're traveling with a few associates. They're all gonna be interning at the firm in Italy.

"You're looking serious as always," she says, leaning slightly toward me. "Maybe Italy will be good for you. A little sun, a little wine..."

I give her a polite nod, but my attention is half on Maya, who's watching the exchange with a carefully blank expression. I can feel the tension radiating from her, and I'm not entirely sure why. After all, she's the one who's been giving me the cold shoulder. And yet...

The woman keeps talking, but my mind is only half on her words. I'm aware of Maya shifting uncomfortably, her posture stiff as she watches us out of the corner of her eye. She's not glaring, exactly, but there's a hard edge to her gaze that makes me almost... amused.

I don't miss the fact that her and Aria exchange a look.

The woman grazes my arm her fingers lingering a second too long as she smiles up at me, clearly trying to make an impression. It's a bold move, but I feel nothing. The forced charm in her eyes, the calculated tilt of her smile—it's empty, shallow. It's nothing like the fire Maya has when she's glaring at me, as if she'd rather set me on fire than admit she feels anything at all.

I can feel Maya's stare intensify, the irritation practically rolling off her in waves. She shifts again, crossing her legs tightly, her lips pressed together in a thin line. She's pretending to be absorbed in her phone, but she's failing spectacularly at it.

The woman keeps talking, her voice a smooth hum, but I can't stop myself from glancing at Maya. She catches me looking and arches a brow, her expression cool, challenging. The flicker of jealousy in her eyes is subtle, but it's there, sparking beneath her indifference like a live wire.

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