Page 40 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“Oh!” Claire straightened, checking her phone. Something in her expression made me tense. “That’s interesting.”

“What?” Amelia pulled back from my embrace, though she held my hand like an anchor.

“Just got an email from Crystal Ridge Resort. They’re offering me a job.” Claire’s expression turned calculating—the look I recognized from strategic negotiations. “Head of digital marketing, salary triple what I make now.”

“They’re trying to buy you off,” I said, pieces clicking into place.

“Obviously.” Claire rolled her eyes. “But don’t you see? This is an opportunity.”

Understanding dawned. “You could be our inside source.”

“That’s out of the question,” Amelia protested, her grip tightening on my hand. “It’s too dangerous.”

“That’s why I’m doing this,” she stated with unwavering determination, reminding me of Amelia’s determination. “Besides, someone needs to monitor your competition.”

I watched Amelia argue with her friend, seeing the genuine concern in her eyes and felt ashamed of my earlier jealousy. Claire wasn’t a threat—she was what we needed. Another person willing to fight for Pine Haven.

“She’s right,” I said, squeezing Amelia’s hand. “We need eyes inside Crystal Ridge.”

Amelia looked between us, then sighed. “I hate this.”

“I know.” I pressed a kiss to her temple, not caring who saw. “But we’re not alone in this fight anymore.”

Claire’s phone chimed again. The color drained from her face as she read the message.

“What is it?” Amelia asked, her body tensing against mine.

“They knew I’d be here,” Claire whispered, her usual confidence cracking. “The job offer came with a warning—accept it, or they release evidence about some scandal involving my father.”

“But your father’s a federal judge,” Amelia frowned.

“Exactly.” Claire’s hands shook slightly as she gripped her phone. “They have dirt on everyone, don’t they?”

I thought of Wheeler’s smooth threats, my father’s accident, and all the pieces falling into place. Crystal Ridge’s pattern was becoming clear.

“No,” I said. “They just want us to think they do.”

“What do you mean?” Claire asked, looking up from her phone.

I began pacing, pieces clicking into place. “Think about it. Wheeler shows up right when you arrive. Crystal Ridge immediately offers you a job with threats attached... they’re scrambling.”

Amelia moved to my side, her presence steadying me. “Because of the festival?”

“Because of your mother’s letters.” I turned to face them, energy surging as the pattern emerged. “They don’t know what evidence we have. They’re trying to control everyone who might help us expose them.”

Claire’s expression turned thoughtful. “Then let’s use that. I accept their offer, play along...”

“No.” Amelia’s voice was firm, that same protective instinct I’d felt earlier. “I’ve already put Hunter at risk. I won’t risk you too.”

“Actually,” Claire smiled, a strategic glint in her eye, “I have an idea that might help protect all of us.” She pulled out her laptop. “But first, look at this email trail I found while updating Pine Haven’s marketing contacts.”

We huddled around her screen. Buried in old correspondence were emails between Wheeler and Crystal Ridge, dating back years. Nothing incriminating, but a pattern emerged—every time Wheeler inspected a property Crystal Ridge wanted, problems mysteriously arose.

“This is good,” I said, recognizing the same tactics that had surrounded my father’s company, “but not enough to prove corruption.”

“No,” Claire agreed, “but it gives us leverage. Especially combined with this.” She pulled up a news article from three years ago—Wheeler’s wife’s sudden rise in the real estate world.

Amelia gasped. “Those are all properties Crystal Ridge acquired.”

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