Page 49 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“Tell me something,” she said as we lingered over dessert, the candles casting a warm glow across her features. “When did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That this—“ she gestured between us ”—was more than just helping save Pine Haven?”

I considered carefully, remembering mornings watching her work. “Remember that morning you were helping Fernando with breakfast? You had flour in your hair, you were exhausted, but you still made time to learn every guest’s name, just like your mom used to do. That’s when I knew I was in trouble.”

Her blush was beautiful in the candlelight. “That long ago?”

“Probably before,” I admitted. “I just couldn’t admit it to myself. My father would have liked you, you know. Your determination, your heart...”

She reached across the table, taking my hand. “I have a confession, too.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve always felt something for you,” she said softly. “But watching you these past weeks, seeing how much you care about Pine Haven, the people here... made those feelings so much deeper. Real.”

“And here I thought you were just tolerating me,” I teased gently.

Her smile was warm in the candlelight. “Thank you. For this. For everything.”

“Amelia—“ My phone buzzed. Then hers.

Claire’s text made my blood run cold:GET BACK NOW.

We raced down the trail, security converging around us. The sight that greeted us at Pine Haven stole my breath.

Red paint dripped down the front entrance like blood. Windows were shattered. And carved into the wooden doors was a message:

Found your mother’s evidence. Recheck the safe deposit box, princess. Some secrets should stay buried.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was the pile of ashes in front of the door—the remains of what looked like documents. And on top, a familiar key.

The same key we’d found in the wishing well.

Which meant someone on our team had betrayed us.

Agent Blake materialized from the darkness, and her team was already processing the scene. “Perimeter security cameras were looped. Inside job.”

“Found your mother’s evidence,” I murmured, reading the message again. “Recheck the safe deposit box, princess. Some secrets should stay buried.”

“The key’s a fake,” I said quietly, drawing her close. Her subtle trembling betrayed her exhaustion. “We switched them.”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“After the well.” I glanced at Agent Blake, who nodded. “We made duplicates. The actual key and documents are in FBI custody.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Plausible reactions,” Agent Blake answered. “We needed whoever’s working with Wheeler to believe you had the originals.”

Understanding dawned in Amelia’s eyes. “You knew there was a mole?”

“Suspected,” I corrected, brushing ash from her sleeve. “After Wheeler knew too many details about our movements.”

Claire joined us, her usual energy subdued. “Security footage before the loop shows four people entering: two groundskeepers and...” She paused, a real pain in her expression.

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