Inside Eli's office, the tension dissolved as Belle dropped her facade and burst into uncontrolled laughter. Eli watched her, shaking his head with an indulgent, fond smile. Setting his leather bag onto the couch beside her, he contemplated the near-catastrophe with a quiet sense of relief. [If Belle hadn't shown me the updated wedding invitation beforehand, that news would have completely derailed me], Eli thought, settling into the cushion next to her. [Even so, I would have still given her the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain.]
Watching her catch her breath, her eyes sparkling with playful triumph, any lingering frustration he held melted away entirely. She had played her part to perfection, turning what could have been a chaotic misunderstanding into a shared, private victory—and he couldn't bring himself to be angry with her at all.
