Chapter 22 – Lines Blurred

Charlie should've known better than to agree to this.

She had spent the last two days dodging Sloan like it was her full-time job, perfecting the art of slipping away the moment he entered a room. But now? Now she was stuck. Trapped. Cornered in a small office, elbows brushing, suffocated by his damn presence.

"You look thrilled to be here," Sloan mused, clicking away at his laptop.

Charlie crossed her arms, leaning against the desk. "Oh, absolutely. I live for spending my afternoon locked in an office with you."

"Your sarcasm wounds me, sunshine."

She scoffed. "I doubt anything wounds you."

Sloan grinned, but it wasn't just amusement—it was something sharper, something deliberate. Because he was enjoying this. The tension. The fact that no matter how much she tried to avoid him, she was here.

With him.

And there was no easy escape.

The Office Setup – Close Quarters, Closer TensionThe plan had been simple—set up the equipment, finalize the podcast structure, and avoid unnecessary interaction. That plan had gone up in flames the second Sloan decided he was going to hover.

Charlie swore he was doing it on purpose. Every time she reached for a cable, he was there—a fraction too close, the heat of him sinking into her skin. When she moved to adjust the mic stand, he leaned in—casual, unbothered—like he wasn't absolutely throwing her off her game.

Finally, after the third time he brushed against her, Charlie snapped.

"Do you have to stand so close?"

Sloan didn't even flinch. If anything, he looked amused. "Do you have to be so dramatic?"

Charlie narrowed her eyes. "Sloan."

He sighed heavily, stepping back all of two inches. "Better?"

"No."

Sloan smirked. "Didn't think so."

Charlie clenched her jaw, refusing to let him get to her. He was baiting her. And damn it, she was taking the bait.

"So," Sloan leaned against the table, arms crossed, "you gonna tell me what's up?"

Charlie focused on wrapping a cable. "Nothing's up."

Sloan hummed. "Right. You've only been avoiding me like the plague. That's totally normal."

"I've been busy."

Sloan raised a brow. "Busy avoiding me?"

Charlie turned, shooting him a glare. "Busy running a damn resort, Sloan."

Sloan tilted his head, studying her. "Uh-huh."

God, she wanted to strangle him.

Instead, she exhaled through her nose, shoving down every ounce of frustration. This was fine. She could do this. Just ignore him and focus.

Unfortunately, Sloan had zero intentions of letting her do that.

Boundary? What Boundary?Charlie reached for her cold coffee, needing something—anything—to ground her. But the second she lifted the cup, Sloan reached out, fingers brushing lightly against hers.

Charlie froze.

It was barely a touch. Barely anything.

But she felt it.

A slow burn, a flicker of something dangerous.

Her eyes snapped to his. "Sloan."

He raised a brow, feigning innocence. "Yeah?"

Her grip on the cup tightened. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

She exhaled sharply, stepping away. "Pushing."

Sloan leaned back, lips curving. "You make it too easy."

Charlie glared. "And you're impossible."

"And yet," he said smoothly, "you're still here."

Charlie was this close to throwing something at him.

But before she could snap back, her phone buzzed on the desk.

Saved by the CallCharlie grabbed it, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah?"

A frazzled voice greeted her. "Boss, we have a problem."

Charlie's stomach sank. "What kind of problem?"

Sloan's smirk faded as he listened.

"The kitchen—one of the freezers is down. And the supplier just called. There's a mix-up with the seafood delivery."

Charlie pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're kidding."

"Wish I was."

Charlie inhaled, then exhaled. Of course.

Because if the universe had any sense of humor, it would make sure her day was a mess.

"Alright, I'll handle it. Just—keep things under control for now."

As she hung up, Sloan tilted his head. "Crisis?"

Charlie shot him a look. "Not your problem."

Sloan smirked. "Everything around here is technically my problem. Since, you know, I'm collaborating on this project."

Charlie rolled her eyes. "You're here for content, not resort management."

"Could've fooled me," Sloan murmured, watching her.

Charlie grabbed her tablet, ignoring the way his gaze lingered. "I need to go."

Sloan didn't stop her.

But as she walked away, he called out—

"See you tomorrow, sunshine."

She didn't look back.

But damn it—she felt his eyes on her the whole way out.

Amy & Mon – The Jealousy That Shouldn't ExistMeanwhile, on the patio, Amy was absolutely not jealous.

Nope. Not at all.

So what if Mon was talking to some female guests near the bar? So what if he was laughing, looking effortlessly charming? It didn't mean anything.

She took a slow sip of her drink, forcing herself to act normal.

Mon, however, noticed.

"You're weirdly quiet," he said, sliding into the seat beside her.

Amy didn't flinch. "Just enjoying the peace."

Mon smirked. "You? Peaceful? That's new."

Amy shot him a glare. "Wow, thanks."

Mon chuckled, but then his gaze flickered—assessing.

Then, just when she thought she was in the clear—

He said it.

"Are you jealous?"

Amy choked on her drink. "Excuse me?"

Mon leaned in, smirking. "You heard me."

Amy scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

"Uh-huh."

"I don't care who you flirt with."

Mon raised a brow. "Didn't say I was flirting."

Amy blinked. "What?"

Mon grinned. "So you were watching."

Amy clenched her jaw. "You're impossible."

Mon leaned back, satisfied. "Then why do you care?"

Amy opened her mouth—then closed it.

She had no answer.

Mon smirked, standing up. "Think about it, sweetheart."

And then he walked away, leaving Amy very, very annoyed.

Cliffhanger: What's Next?That night, as Charlie lay in bed, one thought wouldn't leave her alone.

Sloan's words.

"You make it too easy."

Charlie exhaled, staring at the ceiling.

She was in trouble.

And deep down—she knew it.