Page 51 of My Brother's Best Friends

I pause, my hand on the doorknob. “Believe it or not, Kay, I really do think you were made for us.”

“You three must’ve been very good boys if the universe decided to reward you with yours truly,” she teases.

There it is.

That spark of self-confidence Makayla carries. It’s what lights my fire, what sends my heart racing and my mind spinning with visions of a future with her. A real future. A chance at a shared happy ending that leaves no room for discord or shattered friendships.

17

KELLAN

“Coffee’s done,” I announce to no one in particular.

The living room is empty. Pouring myself a cup, I take it out onto the terrace where I can drink in the view. God, it’s magnificent. What happened moments ago in the suite was every bit as breathtaking, yet the fallout is already hitting us.

I was sure that once Oscar agreed, everything would fall neatly into place. That illusion lasted all of five minutes before reality slapped us. Oscar’s terrified of pissing Bryan off and tanking both our friendship and the business we share. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m worried, too.

I take a sip of coffee—too hot. “Dammit.” I set the cup on the nearest side table and press my tongue to the roof of my mouth.

“Are you okay?” Alex calls from inside.

“Yeah, I just burned my tongue,” I say.

“Where are Oscar and Makayla?” Alex asks. He steps onto the terrace, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“They’re probably still getting ready. They should be out soon.”

“Are we going to tell Bryan, then?” Alex asks, his gaze searching mine.

“I don’t know yet. The buck still stops with Makayla. She’ll have the final say.” I pause and take a deep breath. “Oscar has some understandable reservations, as you already know.”

“I’m not sure we should crash Bryan’s romantic weekend with Callie just to announce we all slept together,” Alex says. “That seems like a conversation for several months down the line, when we’ve established that this is going somewhere and require his brotherly blessing.”

“True, but that means lying to him for months,” I say. “I doubt Makayla wants that, and, hell, I’m not comfortable with it, either.”

“You’re not sure if Makayla wants to do what?” a familiar feminine voice asks behind us.

I turn to find Makayla in a mid-thigh-length sweater that hugs every curve. Breathtaking. Every time I think she can’t possibly look better, she shows up in something that proves me wrong.

“Tell Bryan, or not tell Bryan,” I say. “I really think it should be up to you, and we’ll support you either way.”

“So, you think we should?” she asks.

“We should wait to tell him—let Bryan enjoy the weekend with his girlfriend, his hopefully soon-to-be fiancée. He’s still your brother, Kay, and the proposal pressure might make him less understanding,” Alex says.

“I agree,” Makayla says. “Oscar does, too—at least until we know if this thing between us is real.”

“Good,” I say.

“I mean, it could be something—definitely. We just don’t know yet, and that’s okay.”

I chuckle softly. “There’s no right or wrong here, Kay. Relax.”

“Good, we’re all on the same page,” she says, resting a hand on my chest. “I’m glad.”

“You look gorgeous, by the way,” Alex says as he steps behind her, sliding his hands over her hips and pulling her flush against him. He brushes her ear with his lips, whispering something I can’t hear. They both laugh, and Makayla turns in his arms to give him a proper kiss.

“I take it we’ve all reached the same conclusion now?” Oscar asks, stepping onto the deck.

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