Chapter 15

Eloise spends the weekend training Blaze, Lydia’s surly son, whose sloppy housekeeping and attitude force repeated corrections. She protects receptionist Taylor from Blaze’s unwanted loitering and resolves to give Blaze two honest weekends despite his hostility.

Exhausted and lonely after nights staying with Lyla to avoid the empty A-frame, Eloise heads home intending to rest. She finds Jasper’s SUV and learns he returned the previous night and even trained at Foster’s gym, but never called or texted. Feeling dismissed, she retreats to a cold shower and breaks down.

When Eloise emerges, Jasper admits he received a job offer in Vegas and will probably accept. Overwhelmed by hurt and the looming separation, Eloise flees outside into the rain. Jasper follows, and their confrontation erupts into an intense kiss that exposes mutual need beneath their silence.

Between kisses, Eloise asks for friendship and real communication, wanting to know Jasper better than anyone. He responds with tenderness, carrying her inside, removing her towel, and gently cleaning her feet—an intimate gesture that signals reconciliation even as the uncertainty of his Vegas decision hangs over them.