Chapter 19 - The Mastermind Behind the KeyI dropped my phone onto the kitchen island, staring out the window toward the rooftop garden where Rachel was currently watering a row of potted lavender plants, her laughter echoing softly through the open sliding glass door.
So it hadn't been a clumsy clerical error at the hotel front desk at all.
It had been an elaborate, premeditated sting operation orchestrated by my own sister and the woman I now called the love of my life.
I walked slowly out onto the wooden deck of the rooftop garden, the evening breeze catching the hem of my shirt. Rachel turned around, holding a bright green watering can, her eyes sparkling with that familiar, sharp intelligence that always kept me on my toes.
She took one look at my face and immediately stopped smiling.
“Okay,” Rachel said slowly, setting the watering can down on the wooden slats. “You have that specific look on your face—the one you get when you review game tape and realize you’ve been completely out-coached.”
“Just got a text from Amanda,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and raising an eyebrow.
Rachel’s posture froze for a split second before she recovered, crossing her arms defensively, though a guilty, sheepish grin started breaking through her facade. “Ah. She told you about the key card, didn't she?”
“She confessed to the entire conspiracy,” I replied, stepping closer until I was standing right in front of her. “You manipulated my entire vacation. You orchestrated a premeditated room invasion.”
“Technically, you were the one who invaded my room,” Rachel corrected smoothly, her eyes flashing with playful defiance. “And you walked in while I was in the shower. I didn't write the script for your dramatic hallway retreat.”
“You are a menace to corporate integrity and national security,” I whispered, unable to keep a straight face any longer as a wide smile broke across my lips.
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“And yet,” Rachel murmured, stepping into my arms, letting me wrap my hands around her waist and lift her slightly off the ground, “you love me anyway.”
“With all my heart,” I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers.
