"I don't want anyone entering this penthouse after 10:00 p.m.," Kelsey stated firmly. "If there are any deliveries, tell them to ring the bell and leave them at the door."
I watched them interact, quietly warming my stroopwafel over the steam of my coffee cup—a trick I’d learned quickly in Holland. Once the employee left, Kelsey approached me, shedding her heavy coat to reveal a damp tank top. She ran a hand through her messy hair.
"10:00 p.m.?" I asked, resting my hands on her shoulders. I pulled her close, leaning up for a long, slow kiss.
"That's right," she murmured against my lips. "The cellar is stocked, the food is prepped, and everything else we could possibly need is already right here."
I pulled the stroopwafel from the top of my mug and offered Kelsey the first bite. Then I took one myself; it was so warm and gooey I could have cried with happiness.
"Where do you even find all this food?" I asked, perched on a high chair. "I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this many incredible things in one trip."
"I have my connections," Kelsey replied, sliding between my legs with her own mug in hand. "Besides, I wasn't about to let you eat just anything. I already know you survive on junk when you're at the courthouse."
I feigned a look of shock and pulled her in by her shirt for a quick kiss. Her lips tasted rich, like dark coffee. "And who, exactly, told you that?"
"Vanessa. Who heard it from Sarki," she revealed with a smirk.
"Is there a conspiracy going on behind my back?" I asked, arching an eyebrow before taking another sip of my coffee.
"I think they’re spending New Year's together. Vanessa asked me for a few things she doesn't usually..." Kelsey trailed off, and my expression must have been priceless because she burst out laughing. "She told me she's heading to the Caribbean to use my place there. Then I got a notification from corporate governance for a three-person authorization, plus staff."
"I cannot believe Sarki didn't tell me!" I exclaimed. "She told me they were 'getting to know each other' and heading to Milan!"
"I didn't know about the Milan cover story. But it makes sense—Vanessa actually hates going to Italy," Kelsey noted.
"That bitch," I muttered, half-joking. "She messaged me saying I have a meeting with the apartment architect today and didn't mention a word of this."
"Meg, let them have their fun," Kelsey urged, pulling up a chair to sit directly across from me. Our knees were nearly touching when she caught my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Forget about the Milan trip. Let's talk about us."
"What did she even do with those paid tickets?" I wondered aloud, but Kelsey was already moving on.
"I’m going to walk you through exactly what I have planned for tonight," she stated, her voice dropping into that lower, more commanding register. "If there's anything you want to tweak, we change it now. Deal?"
We spent the next hour reviewing the logistics. I asked her to adjust a few details, making sure of one non-negotiable point: if I was going to be naked at any point, it had better be somewhere warm.
???
That afternoon, I logged onto a video call with the architect to finalize the apartment's decor. She assured me that everything would be move-in ready by the time I returned to D.C. A new home for a new life.
Feeling mischievous, I shot a text to Sarki, asking if the Caribbean was treating her well. She replied almost instantlywith a photo of her, Lisa, and Vanessa in a pool, holding glasses that looked more like mojito pitchers than actual drinks.
"Kels, look at this," I laughed, showing her the screen. Kelsey chuckled at the photo and pulled me into her arms, suggesting we take a selfie of our own to send back as a rebuttal. After I hit send, she gave me a soft, lingering kiss that felt like a long-awaited homecoming.
"They look happy," she noted, her voice warm with contentment.
"Happy? Look at the size of that glass! They're having a blast," I replied.
"We'll head down there once you’ve handled your business in the States. That trip we talked about," she promised. "I’ll take the opportunity to stop in L.A. and make sure my Vice President hasn't made off with my additives."
"Wait, what? Shouldn't he be someone you trust implicitly?" I asked, surprised.
"In theory... but my dear, saintly father chose him, and I can't fire him. We’re constantly at each other’s throats. But... no shop talk today. I’ll fill you in on that drama later."
"Fair enough! Let’s focus on today. We’ll handle the paperwork, and soon enough, we’ll be lounging by a Caribbean pool for the weekend."
"The house is actually on a beach," she corrected with a wink. "On a private island, to be precise."
I couldn't hide my excitement for what lay ahead. When the clock struck 8:00 p.m., I took a long shower and slipped into a sleek blue sheath dress. Underneath, I wore the off-white lingerie Kelsey had specifically asked me to bring.
