Page 54 of My Brother's Best Friends

“Thank you. It’d be ridiculous to launch a winery without understanding the juice, right?” I laugh and give her an approving nod. “I have to say, Callie, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight.”

Bryan smiles broadly. “I told her the same thing.”

Callie giggles. “He tells me every damn time, and I know he means it, but it’s nice to hear it from someone else for a change.”

Her emerald sheath shimmers from neckline to mid-thigh. Few women can pull off something so short yet keep it elegant, but she manages.

“You like the dress?” Callie asks, swirling her wine. “I wasn’t sure about it at first.”

“It’s a bold choice—especially at Christmas and in Sweden—but you make it work, Callie. I’m impressed.” I wink.

“Bryan thought it might be too revealing,” she whispers, reaching for my hand and tugging me into my seat. “I reminded him that my fashion choices were part of what first caught his eye—and asked if he really wanted me to switch to conservative.”

“What did he say?” I ask.

Bryan cuts in with a sly grin. “I’d rather be the guy who gets to admire her in anything she chooses than the fool who lost her by policing her wardrobe.” He arches a brow. “Shush all you want, ladies—I can still hear you.”

I shoot him a playful grimace. “Those dog ears of yours pick up everything within a five-mile radius.”

Callie laughs and lovingly pinches his earlobe. “I love these things.”

The waiter returns, eyeing the men—who’ve been busy talking business—with special attention. “Gentlemen, Mr.Dwyer wondered if you’d still like that quick tour of the Whiskey Lounge before we take your dinner order.”

Bryan shoots me a nervous look. Oh, I know what this is about. He wants to consult with Alex, Oscar, and Kellan about how to pop the question. It’s beyond sweet, so I gently squeeze my brother’s wrist.

“You guys should go,” I say. “Oscar’s dying to sample whatever cherry-cask single malt they’ve got stashed in there.”

Oscar’s brows shoot up. “You remembered.”

“I remember everything,” I shoot back with a wink.

Bryan laughs. “Are you sure, Kay? It can wait until later…”

“No, it cannot. Go. I’ll keep your girlfriend company.”

“We’re only going to gossip about you, anyway,” Callie adds.

The men trade glances, nod in unison, and follow the waiter from the sprawling dining room into the adjacent lounge. I can see the soft amber lights and black silk wallpaper from here. I imagine leather sofas and a whisper of cigar smoke completing the gentleman-club vibe.

Still, I prefer the restaurant, with its soaring windows framing the snowy mountainside and a high ceiling dripping with crystal snowflakes that scatter light into thousands of prisms overhead.

“God, she’s taking forever,” Callie grumbles, checking her phone.

“Who’s taking forever?” I ask.

She gives me a worried look. “Can I tell you a secret, Kay?”

“Of course—we’re practically family,” I say. “And in my family the skeletons stay in the closet.”

Callie laughs, but she doesn’t seem that amused. I’ll chalk it up to stress. It was a good joke. “So, here’s the thing,” she says. “I know why we’re here.”

“Oh?”

She winks. “Talk about keeping secrets. Bryan plans to propose.”

“Oh.” My voice comes out thin—no wonder. I didn’t expect that. “Okay, what gave you that idea?”

She sighs. “I saw the ring—before he even mentioned the trip. He’s not as good at keeping secrets as you, Kay, I’ll tell you that much.”

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