James's POV
James grabbed his car keys from the marble counter with a silent huff. The whole house had felt like it cracked open after Blair ran out—like someone dropped a glass and didn't bother picking up the pieces. Lily was crushed, Victor had gone quiet, Cassie stormed outside, and the tension hung thick in the air like smoke after a fire.
He passed the foyer, heading toward the front doors when he noticed one of the maids arranging the fresh flowers near the hallway arch.
He slowed. "Hey… did you see Blair go out?"
The maid looked up, a bit startled. "Yes, sir. Miss Blair walked toward the garden a few minutes ago."
James muttered a soft "thank you," more to himself than to her, then turned, relief flooding his chest. Thank God she was still inside the compound. Still somewhere he could reach her.
He walked quickly—passing the old fountain, brushing past hedges, moving toward the back gardens where the family often hosted outdoor brunches in spring. And then he saw her.
She was curled up on the old iron bench under the willow tree, the exact spot they sat the other night when everything still felt simple. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her knees, her shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
She was crying.
His chest tightened at the sight. He hadn't thought his body capable of this type of ache. She looked like a painting left out in the rain—something beautiful being washed away.
And he hated it.
He hated them for making her feel like this. That smug bastard Cole. Amanda, whoever the hell she thought she was. If James had the chance, he'd make both of them feel exactly what Blair was feeling right now. Worse.
He stepped closer, slow, careful. Sat beside her without saying a word, letting the silence settle like a blanket.
Blair turned slowly, her eyes puffy, cheeks damp. She glanced at him, then immediately turned her head, trying to hide her face with her hands.
James leaned back on the bench. "It's okay to cry," he said, his voice low, a joking tilt to his tone. "I won't tell anyone. Scout's honor."
She sniffled. And then—just like that—she smiled.
It was small. Faint. But it was there.
She leaned into him, resting her head gently against his chest, and without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her. The moment slowed. Her scent—soft vanilla and something warm he couldn't name—filled his senses, and he realized, not for the first time, how much he liked when she was close.
She felt… right. Like peace wrapped in chaos.
No words passed for a minute or two. Just breath. Just closeness.
Then she spoke, voice soft. "Do you think I was weak?"
He looked down. "What?"
Blair pulled back, enough to face him, her brows creased. "For crying. For reacting like that. I slapped him, James. In front of my mom, in front of everyone. Did I… do too much?"
James blinked, and then scoffed. "Weak? Maybell… you slapped him and talked shit to his face. That's not weak. That's badass."
Blair gave a soft laugh, barely making eye contact. "Really?"
James tilted his head, watching her closely. "Really. Most people freeze in moments like that. You didn't. You stood up for yourself. I respect that."
And he meant it.
He watched her smile again—this time a little wider—and noticed something else: she never really looked him in the eyes. Not fully. Not for more than a second or two.
It made him curious. What was she hiding behind that gaze?
"I ruined everything," she said suddenly. "They ruined breakfast. They ruined my whole day. I can't go back in that house, James. Knowing they're there. Knowing… we're under the same roof."
James sat up. "Then don't."
Blair frowned. "What?"
He stood, holding up his car keys. "Come with me."
"To where?"
"I know a place. It's fun. Loud. Bright. Full of people screaming and junk food."
Blair squinted at him. "An amusement park?"
James grinned. "Exactly. You need to forget about them. Not today. Not after that."
Blair hesitated. "I don't know…"
James leaned down, smirking. "Luckily for you, everyone thinks you ran away. And they think I'm currently driving around the city looking for you." He jingled his keys. "So technically, we're just fulfilling expectations."
Blair laughed—really laughed this time—and slowly stood. "Fine. But if this doesn't go well, I will end you."
James smirked. "Have a little trust in me, Maybell."
They walked side-by-side through the garden path and up toward the driveway. The sun peeked through the clouds, soft and golden.
And just like that, he opened the door for her, and she got in.
And they drove away.
---
Absolutely, I know exactly what you mean — that kind of effortless, slow-burn romance where they're just being, and yet every moment draws them closer. Here's the updated and extended version of Chapter 21, Part 2, with more softness, romantic subtext, and Blair getting a win for James too:
---
James's POV
The amusement park burst with noise, colors, and a kind of chaotic joy that felt worlds away from the mess they left behind. James wasn't sure what he expected when he told her they were skipping the house today—but the second he saw her tuck that stuffed elephant under her arm and sip lemonade like she hadn't cried her soul out this morning—he knew he'd do it all again.
And again.
Blair had no idea what she looked like under the blinking lights. Hair pulled into a soft, effortless bun that had strands escaping to kiss her cheeks. Hoodie sleeves pushed halfway up her forearms. Sneakers dusted from the gravel. And a smile that was slowly, finally, no longer pretending.
It was unintentional. All of it. But James was paying attention now.
"You ever done the water gun race?" he asked, nudging her toward a booth with water pistols and balloon targets.
She eyed the blinking lights. "What am I, ten?"
"I'll let you win."
"You say that like I won't earn it."
She smirked and sat beside him, choosing the gun to his left. The buzzer went off. Blair's focus turned razor-sharp—her wrist steady, eyes narrowed. James tried, but her balloon popped first.
"Boom," she whispered.
James stared at the flashing winner sign and blinked. "Okay. I'm terrified."
The guy behind the booth pointed toward a rack of prizes. Blair walked over, scanning them quietly, then reached up and grabbed a black baseball cap embroidered with a small gold crown.
She turned and handed it to James.
"Do You like hats?" she said simply, then added, "and that one's obnoxious. Suits you."
James looked at it, then at her. "You're giving me a crown?"
"Don't let it get to your head."
He chuckled, but when his fingers brushed hers as he took it, the moment slowed. She didn't pull away immediately. And her gaze lingered—not on the hat, but on him.
No one said anything.
They didn't have to.
---
A little later, they wandered into the photo booth.
James dug out some coins. Blair leaned closer to peek at the options and her perfume hit him like a punch. Warm vanilla and something soft—he didn't know what it was, but it was her.
The countdown blinked.
Shot 1: Blair smiled, soft and sweet.
Shot 2: James crossed his eyes and made a ridiculous face.
Shot 3: She shoved his shoulder, laughing so hard her head hit his chest.
Shot 4: They were quiet, her smile fading just enough to show something deeper.
Their faces were close. Not quite touching. Just… there.
Blair looked down at the strip when it printed, her fingers brushing his again as they pulled it free. "These are hideous."
James glanced at her, one brow raised. "You're keeping them though."
She folded the strip neatly, slid it into the pocket of her hoodie. "Maybe."
---
They kept going. He dragged her into a bumper car ring—where she rammed his car harder than expected. He took her to a booth with giant fake fish she swore were "rigged," and she bought them both rainbow slushies she hated but drank anyway just to complain.
When they passed a small cotton candy stand, Blair reached for her wallet, but James beat her to it.
"One of each," he told the vendor.
"We're not finishing that," Blair warned, watching him carry two cloud-sized cones.
"We are," James said, "or we die trying."
They shared from each cone, laughing when pink sugar stuck to her lip and James reached forward, thumb brushing it away without thinking.
She blinked up at him, a little frozen.
"Sorry," he muttered, lowering his hand.
But he wasn't.
Blair didn't say anything. Just smiled a little—and this time, it reached her eyes.
---
As dusk settled, they ended up sitting on a bench near the carousel. Blair was leaning against the elephant prize, eyes heavy. The gold-crowned cap rested on James's head, slightly tilted. She looked at him through her lashes.
"You're not as bad as I thought you were."
James raised a brow. "Thanks, I think?"
She laughed, curling into herself a little. "This was fun. Like... really fun."
He looked at her.
She didn't have makeup on. Her eyes were still a little puffy. Her hoodie was wrinkled. And she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
James didn't say it.
But he felt it.
"You deserved something good today," he murmured. "Something stupid and happy and messy."
Blair yawned, eyes fluttering closed. "Still hate Cole."
James chuckled. "Good. Me too."
They sat there in silence, the elephant squished between them, the sky dimming into navy above. For once, James didn't want to be anywhere else.
Not with anyone else.
---
---
Lily & Victor's Room
The glow of the bedside lamp spilled softly across the room as Lily sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with her wedding ring. Her hair was tied back, her shoulders hunched in worry. Victor walked in quietly from the bathroom, already noticing the faraway look in her eyes.
"I feel like a terrible mother," Lily murmured without looking up.
Victor sighed gently, walking over and crouching in front of her. "You're not a terrible mother, Lil."
"I let them come into our home. Amanda and Cole. I thought—" she paused, her voice tight. "I thought it would help Blair. She's been through so much already. But instead... I made it worse."
Victor reached up, took her hand. "Hey. Look at me." She did. "You made a choice from love. That doesn't make you a bad mother. That makes you human."
She blinked fast, nodding, then whispered, "Where is she, Victor? It's been hours."
"She's okay." He stood, pressing a reassuring hand to her back. "She's with James, if not he would have called if he didn't see her"
Lily looked up, a little surprised.
"I booked Amanda and Cole on a flight back home. First thing tomorrow morning," Victor said calmly. "Tried for tonight, but they were all full."
Lily stared at him. Then slowly, her shoulders dropped. "Thank you," she said quietly.
Victor leaned down, and Lily lifted her head just enough to kiss him—soft, grateful, a peck on the lips that said more than words.
He smiled. "You're a good mom. And Blair's lucky to have you."
---
Cassie's POV
Cassie paced the living room, arms crossed, lips tight. The living room was full—Caleb and Andrew were locked in a heated video game battle on the big screen, controllers in hand, eyes laser-focused. Maddie and Jazmine were sitting on the couch, watching with half-interest, more focused on Cassie's pacing.
"She hasn't called. He hasn't called. It's been literal hours," Cassie muttered.
Maddie tilted her head. "Can't tell if you're freaking out because you're worried about Blair... or because Blair's with James."
Jazmine smirked. "Good one, Mads."
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Obviously it's about Blair, okay? I feel bad for how I acted last night. I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm just—" she trailed off, hands flailing, "—bothered."
"Bothered about James liking Blair?" Caleb said without missing a beat, still pressing buttons on the controller.
Andrew barked a laugh. "Yo, man, I thought I was the only one seeing that."
"No, bro. James? He's falling for her," Caleb said, as his game character knocked Andrew's out of the arena.
Cassie grabbed a throw pillow and launched it at them. "Shut up! Both of you. Focus on your dumb game."
Jazmine raised a brow. "Cass... it does look like James likes her."
Maddie added, "But I can't say the same about B."
Cassie blinked. "What do you mean?"
Maddie shrugged. "She's hard to read. Classic Blair. But she doesn't exactly scream romantic tension around him."
Cassie scoffed. "All of this doesn't even matter. Blair would never like James."
Everyone looked at her.
"She looks like she's into nerds. I mean—look at Cole," she added dramatically, flopping onto the arm of the couch.
They all laughed.
And just like that, the air lightened.
But behind Cassie's eyes, something else flickered.
---