Chapter 33
Skye
The bathroom counter looks like a crime scene.
There's makeup everywhere—lipsticks, brushes, a curling wand that's probably a fire hazard, and three different bottles of setting spray because apparently, "dewy versus matte is a life decision," according to Summer.
Gemma lines my eyes with a deep brown pencil while Summer curls the last section of my hair. We're in the main house, tucked into Gemma's bathroom, surrounded by open makeup bags, curling irons, and at least three different outfit options strewn across the bed.
"I still don't understand why you didn't let us do this sooner," Summer says, tongue poking out the side of her mouth as she finishes curing another section.
"Because I never go on dates," I mutter.
Gemma lifts a brow in the mirror. "Which is criminal. You're hot, you're smart, and you've got that whole 'don't talk to me' thing going for you that's weirdly irresistible."
"I was busy," I argue.
Summer snorts. "You were hiding."
"Okay, maybe a little."
Gemma gently turns my face toward her. "You've been through hell and still came out strong. But it's okay to let someone in now. Especially someone who looks at you like Gage does."
I roll my eyes, but my heart squeezes. "What do you even do on a first date?"
Summer grins. "This isn't a first date, honey. You guys have been dating in your own way for months. This is just taking it public."
Gemma nods. "Think of this as more like a soft launch into your 'official' phase."
"I swear, you two sound like influencers."
Gemma hands me a lip gloss. "Maybe. But we also know what we're talking about. Trust us. Just breathe. Let yourself enjoy it."
Summer steps back and claps. "Okay. Look at you!" She inspects me like she's my stylist. "Now twirl."
I turn toward the mirror and blink.
My hair is loose and soft around my shoulders, my makeup subtle but polished, and the dress Gemma insisted I wear hugs me in all the right places. For once, I don't look like someone just surviving. I look... luminous. Confident. Like I might actually believe I'm the woman he sees.
Which just makes the nerves even worse.
"You guys are ridiculous," I say, but my voice wobbles.
Gemma wraps her arms around my waist from behind. "You've got this. And we've got you. Plus, you look super hot!"
Summer nods. "Definitely. If Gage doesn't lose his mind when he sees you, we'll stage an intervention."
I laugh, but it's shaky. "I haven't really done the whole dating thing. Not like this."
Gemma raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean, not like this?”
I glance down, smoothing my hands over the fabric of the dress. "I mean... letting someone in like I have Gage. With school, work, you guys, and helping Mom, it just never felt like I had room for any of this."
Summer softens. "That makes sense. But you're not that girl anymore. And this isn't just any date."
"Yeah," Gemma adds. "You've already slept with the guy."
I groan, throwing a makeup sponge at her. "Not helping."
But they both smile, and I do too, because despite the nerves, this feels good. Being here with them, getting ready, letting myself be excited for something that isn't an exam or an application.
A knock sounds downstairs, and we all freeze.
"That's him," Summer says.
My stomach flips.
Gemma links her arm with mine. "Come on. Let's go knock your man dead."
Gage is standing near the bottom of the stairs, back to me, talking with Carter.
But when he hears my steps, he turns, and everything about him stills.
He looks up, and the second our eyes meet, everything else disappears.
His lips part slightly, like he's about to say something but forgets how to form words.
My breath catches. Because no one has ever looked at me like that. As if I'm the center of gravity. Like I'm not just beautiful, but his.
I take a deep breath. My heart is thudding so loud I'm sure they can hear it in the kitchen. My heels click softly against the hardwood as I descend, each step deliberate, as I try to steady the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
"Wow," he murmurs, finally finding his voice as I reach the last step. He steps forward, offering his hand. "You're... you're breathtaking."
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I slide my fingers into his. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
He's in dark slacks and a black button-down, with sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his jaw freshly shaved. He looks like trouble, the best kind.
He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "This is going to be a problem."
I raise a brow. "Why?"
He smiles. "Because now I don't want to take you out. I want to take you home."
I laugh, the tension melting from my shoulders. "Later."
"I'm going to hold you to that," he says, leading me out the door with his hand still wrapped around mine like he's never letting go.
He opens the car door for me, and once we're on the road, I finally ask, "So where are we going?"
He smiles, that smug, knowing kind that always gets under my skin. "It's a surprise."
We drive through the city as the lights blur by the windows. We talk about our day, and I share about my conversation with Summer and Gemma about this not really being a first date. Finally, we pull into a quiet lot near one of the most upscale districts.
My brow furrows. "This neighborhood... it's way out of my league."
"Not tonight, it's not."
He parks and leads me toward a sleek, modern building with cascading greenery on the facade and soft, ambient lighting. I pause when I see the sign.
"This is a spa."
"Observant, as always," he teases.
I shoot him a look, but he just grins. Inside, everything is calm and luxurious. Soft music. Warm lighting. A woman at the desk greets us with a smile and nods toward the back.
We step into a glass-walled office, and my breath catches. It overlooks a private garden and a pool. The place drips with elegance. And sitting behind the desk is a man in his late sixties, silver-haired and well-dressed.
"Skye, this is Stephen Calloway," Gage says. "Stephen, this is Skye."
Stephen rises and shakes my hand. "Pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot."
Stephen gestures for me to take a seat across from him in the sleek office that overlooks the city skyline.
I settle into the buttery leather chair, trying not to let my awe show.
Everything about this place screams luxury, from the soft music playing in the background to the fresh-cut flowers on the desk.
"You've built something incredible here," I say, because it's the truth.
Stephen gives a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you. It's taken years, but it's time for me to slow down. I don't want to be here six days a week anymore. I want to travel with my wife. Spend time with my grandkids."
I nod, understanding more than I thought I would. "You're looking for someone to step in?"
"Not just anyone," he says, folding his hands together. "The right someone. Gage showed me your business plan, and I have to admit, I was impressed. The ideas for wellness integration, community outreach programs, and the Mommy & Me packages all display innovation. You're not thinking small."
My eyes flick to Gage, and I can feel my cheeks heat. "You showed him that?"
Gage shrugs unapologetically. "It was too good not to."
Stephen leans forward. "I want someone who's passionate and who has a vision for the future.
I'm offering a trial run. You manage the spa for six months. Implement your ideas. If it goes well, we’ll talk about a buyout plan.
You can purchase it gradually while running it.
No pressure, but full control. I'm not looking for cash up front.
I'm looking for someone who will treat it like their own. "
I turn to Gage. "You did this."
He meets my gaze. "I read your business plan. Every assignment you've turned in centered around owning a spa. I figured it out."
"Why?" I ask, trying to make it all make sense.
"Because I love you," he says, voice low. "Because I believe in you, and I know you can do this."
I blink, trying to absorb what he's saying. This spa is in the most desirable part of the city. Rent alone here would've made it a fantasy. But he's handing me the keys to something real. Something powerful.
"I've always wanted to build something of my own," I admit. "Not work under someone."
Stephen chuckles. "I get that. But think of this as learning the ropes from someone who's been in it for decades. You get to make your mark while gaining access to my contacts, my infrastructure, and my reputation."
I blink, overwhelmed. "You'd really let me implement my own ideas?"
"One at a time. Prove yourself. If it works, the floor is yours."
My heart slams against my ribs.
He pushes a contract toward me as he says this. I glance at the neatly typed contract between us, the weight of it pressing into the air like a storm waiting to break.
Gage steps beside me. "Think of it this way. You'd be learning from one of the best in the city. If it doesn't work, you both walk away. No strings. But if it does..."
"And you're just willing to take that risk on me?" I ask Stephen.
"I've taken bigger risks on people with half your drive," he says with a shrug. "What can I say? I trust Gage's instincts, and I trust my own."
I look at Gage again. He's watching me closely, but not as if he's waiting for gratitude. Like he's waiting for me to rise, and like he knows I will.
"You ready to build something that's yours?"
My fingers twitch.
"I don't need a handout," I say, arms crossed.
Gage's eyes glint. "It's not a handout. It's a challenge."
I narrow my gaze. "You think I'm scared?"
"I think you're the most fearless person I know. So prove it."
I stare at the contract. Then slowly, deliberately, I pick it up.
"I will."
Gage smiles. "I'll put you in touch with Troy. He's a good lawyer. You'll want his help with the contract."
Stephen nods. "Take your time and think it over. We can talk over anything you want in the contract. I want it to feel right for both of us. But something tells me you already know what you want."
And he's right.
Because as we leave, Gage's hand at the small of my back, I already see it. The future. My future. A place with my name on it. A life I never thought I could have.
Gage leans in and murmurs against my ear. "Still think this isn't a real first date?"
I laugh, my heart full. "Oh, it's real."
And it's just the beginning.