(Blair's POV)
Blair finished tying the last loose knot on her cropped white cardigan, adjusting the edge carefully over her fitted light-wash jeans. She checked herself in the mirror one last time, smoothing her soft waves — she'd left her hair down today, letting it fall naturally around her shoulders with a middle part, giving her that effortless, easy beauty she barely tried for.
A touch of gloss shimmered on her lips, and a hint of mascara framed her wide blue eyes.
She was just about to head downstairs when she spotted Cassie standing near the hallway, fiddling with her phone, about to go down as well.
"Hey," Blair called softly.
Cassie looked up, giving a small smile. "Hi." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "You know... you don't have to bother about what people say. About you and James."
She shrugged lightly. "People will always have something to say."
Blair's chest tightened a little, but she smiled back. "Thanks, Cass."
They made their way downstairs together, the scent of roasted chicken and buttered rolls floating up from the kitchen.
As they reached the dining room, Blair instinctively slid into the empty seat beside Caleb instead of James, not really thinking about it. Cassie, on the other hand, without missing a beat, sat down right beside James.
Blair glanced briefly at them but said nothing, picking up her fork and setting her napkin neatly on her lap.
For a moment, the room settled into easy chatter — plates clinking, Maddie laughing at something Andrew said — when suddenly, the front door creaked open.
They all turned as someone stepped inside, holding a big bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other.
"Hey, Blair," a familiar voice said, casual but a little nervous.
Blair's heart dipped.
She looked up sharply — and there he was.
Jack.
Blair immediately stood up, walking over to meet him halfway, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in a low voice, conscious of everyone's eyes on them.
Jack rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I went to the Quest mansion to find you. When you weren't there, I figured you'd be here... I tried calling too. You didn't pick up."
Blair folded her arms across her chest. "Why are you looking for me, Jack?"
"I'm sorry," he said, meeting her gaze sincerely. "I was a dick. I shouldn't have joked about something like that."
He shifted the flowers and chocolates toward her. "I thought it was just rumours, B. I didn't know you and James were actually... together."
Blair's shoulders loosened slightly. She looked down, avoiding the intensity in his eyes. "It's okay," she mumbled.
Jack stretched the gifts closer. "I got this for you. As an apology... and appreciation, I guess. For putting up with my stupid mouth."
Blair hesitated for a beat — she didn't want to give him any mixed signals. But Jack insisted, pushing the bouquet gently into her hands.
"Take it," he said, almost pleading.
Blair sighed, finally accepting the flowers and chocolates. "Thank you, Jack."
He smiled, relieved. "See you at school, Blair. And uh... unblock me, please?"
Blair couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. "Okay," she said lightly.
She turned and made her way to the kitchen, setting the flowers and chocolate down on the marble counter, out of the way.
Meanwhile, back at the table, Andrew leaned back in his chair, grinning widely.
"I can already predict the dramaaaa coming from this."
Jazmine snorted. "At least we'll be entertained."
The others chuckled, but Maddie pushed back her chair and hurried over to the kitchen, linking her arm through Blair's the moment she got there.
"Girl," Maddie whispered, wide-eyed. "Jack is so intentional, oh my God. He literally went to two different houses looking for you—with flowers and chocolates!"
Blair rolled her eyes, laughing a little. "I know, right? All that just to apologize."
Maddie fanned herself dramatically. "Girl, what are you using? Seriously! You're attracting all the Romeos!"
Blair laughed harder, her earlier tension finally melting away.
Still giggling, they picked up their plates and walked back toward the dining table, sliding into their seats like nothing had happened — except the flowers and chocolates sitting proudly on the kitchen counter, reminding everyone that maybe not everything was going to stay calm for long.
---
After lunch, Blair sat alone in her room.
Maddie was with Caleb for sure — that much she knew — and Blair found herself just lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Jack's gesture replayed in her mind — showing up with flowers and chocolates, searching two different houses just to find her.
No one had ever given her flowers before.
Jack was the first.
A shy, happy smile crept onto Blair's lips as she sat up. She slid down to the bouquet resting on her dresser, plucking a single white rose from the bunch.
Carefully, almost like it was a sacred ritual, she tucked it into her memory box under her bed — the place she only saved her most important memories.
Inside were small treasures: a concert ticket stub, a photo of Maddie and her at school, and James's hoodie — the first hoodie she'd ever worn from a guy.
She picked it up now, pressing it against her face.
His scent still lingered — that warm, woodsy smell that somehow always calmed her heart.
Blair sighed, hugging the hoodie tightly.
James probably didn't come to check on me because he's jealous, she thought, a teasing smile playing at her lips.
"At least now he knows what it feels like to be in my shoes," she said to herself jokingly.
Shaking her head, she tucked the hoodie back into the box, closed it carefully, and slid it back under the bed.
She couldn't sit here any longer — she wanted to see him.
Blair padded down the hallway and stopped in front of James's door.
She knocked once. No answer.
Twice. Still nothing.
Hesitating only a moment longer, she pushed the door open gently and peeked in.
The room was empty.
She stepped inside, smiling a little at the familiarity of it — the last time she was here, they had talked for hours, opening up to each other like they had known each other forever. It had been perfect.
Blair wandered around, her fingers grazing over his bookshelf, the edge of his desk, the jacket tossed carelessly on the back of a chair.
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
James walked out — and Blair froze.
Water dripped from his toned chest, running down the muscles of his stomach. His blonde hair was wet, pushed back from his forehead, and his blue eyes were impossibly bright, making her heart jolt.
A white towel hung low around his waist — and that was it.
Nothing else.
Blair's eyes widened, scanning him unconsciously before she gasped and spun around, facing away.
"S-sorry!" she stammered. "I knocked — no one answered!"
Behind her, James smirked.
"So you decided to just enter when I didn't answer?" he teased, his voice low and amused.
Blair stumbled over her words, heat creeping up her neck. "Well... I... I was just—" she stuttered, backing toward the door.
Before she could escape, James grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her toward him.
She stumbled into his bare chest, feeling his warmth radiate through her.
His arms slid naturally around her waist, holding her close.
James's voice was serious now as he stared into her eyes.
"We need to talk."
Blair's heart hammered against her ribs.
"O-okay," she breathed.
He let her go slowly, walking into his closet. A moment later, he emerged, tugging on a pair of jeans, the towel gone.
He ruffled his hair dry with another towel before tossing it aside and walking back toward her.
"Blair," James said, meeting her eyes, "I'm sorry about my past. Again."
He shrugged helplessly. "But I can't change it. I know it's not easy to adapt to... but you can't let what people say about us get to you."
He took a step closer. "You know I like you. That's what matters."
Blair swallowed the lump rising in her throat.
"I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry for overreacting."
James smiled — that slow, teasing smile that always made her knees weak.
"It's okay. Lowkey, I kinda like when you get jealous," he teased.
Blair rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched upward.
"You were also jealous about Jack today. I saw your face," she accused playfully.
James groaned, running a hand through his damp hair.
"Giving you flowers and chocolate is way too much," he muttered.
Blair smiled gently. "People express love differently," she said softly.
James looked at her for a long second, thinking to himself:
She really loved the flowers. She loved the gift. I've never gotten her anything...
Now that son of a bitch Jack just set the standard. Now I have to beat his game.
James nodded slowly. "Yeah... you're right," he said, almost grudgingly.
He sat down beside her on the bed, and Blair's gaze drifted toward the window.
She gasped softly.
"Wow," she said, walking toward it.
The view outside was breathtaking — the sky was painted with vibrant pinks, oranges, and deep purples as the sun set over the rolling hills.
Golden light poured through the window, bathing the room in a soft, warm glow.
James walked up behind her silently, standing so close she could feel the heat of him.
"You're beautiful," he whispered.
Blair turned to him, her heart catching in her chest.
Without thinking, James leaned in and kissed her — a soft, tentative kiss at first, as if asking for permission.
Blair smiled against his mouth, and James deepened the kiss, his hand sliding up to cup her cheek.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands found her waist, lifting her easily.
He kissed her deeply, hungrily, before lifting her onto the nearby table.
Blair's legs wrapped instinctively around his waist as his hands roamed from her waist to her back, anchoring her against him.
He kissed her neck, and Blair couldn't hold back the soft moan that escaped her lips.
James kissed her deeper, one hand trailing up her back, the other stroking her hair gently.
It was pure, desperate, beautiful.
Then — a sudden knock on the door broke the moment.
"Sir," the maid's voice called. "Dinner is ready."
James groaned in frustration, dropping his forehead lightly against Blair's.
"We need our honeymoon," he muttered jokingly, making her laugh breathlessly.
He gently set her down from the table, grabbing a tank top and pulling it over his head.
Still flushed and giddy, they made their way downstairs together — stealing secret smiles and brushing hands in the hallway — a little world only they existed in.
---