Page 13 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"I know." I've thought the same thing many times.

"I completely forget sometimes. He's in his own bubble with his work. The Blackwell name doesn't really come up."

"Does Dax ever try to get Miles to join the family business?" Sarah asks.

"Not that I know of. Miles said they're cordial but not close. They lead pretty separate lives."

Jane takes a cupcake, peeling off the wrapper.

"Well, this week we get to meet him. I'm excited. It'll be fun to put a real person to the name."

"Just don't swoon too obviously," I tease.

"Miles might notice."

"Please. I'm a professional." Jane bites into her cupcake, frosting coating her upper lip.

"I can totally play it cool around media moguls."

We dissolve into laughter, and for thefirst time all day, I feel myself relax. This is what I needed. My best friends, champagne, desserts, and easy conversation.

"Okay, but seriously," Sarah says once we've calmed down, "let's go over the guest list. Who am I most excited to see? Who should I avoid?"

"Avoid my mother," I say immediately.

"She's already in full anxiety mode."

"Noted." Sarah pretends to make a note in the air.

We spend the next hour going through the guest list, gossiping about various relatives and family friends. Jane does an impression of my Aunt Carol that has us in tears. Sarah shares a story about a disastrous wedding she attended last year where the groom got so drunk he fell asleep during the reception.

The champagne flows, the desserts disappear, and slowly the knot of anxiety in my chest begins to loosen.

"I'm so glad you guys are here," I say, feeling emotional. Maybe it's the champagne.

"Where else would we be?" Jane squeezes my hand.

"You're getting married, Scarlett. This is huge. We've got your back."

"Through everything," Sarah adds.

"Even if your mom drives you crazy and Miles gets weird pre-wedding jitters."

"Even then," Jane agrees.

We stay up late, talking and laughing until Sarah's yawning so hard she can barely speak. Finally, around eleven, they gather their things.

"If you need anything this week, call us," Jane reminds me at the door.

"We're here for whatever you need."

"You're the best." I hug them both.

After they leave, I clean up the champagne bottles and dessert wrappers, then get ready for bed. My apartment is quiet, just the ambient noise of the city outside my windows.

I brush my teeth, wash my face, change into pajamas. In the bedroom, I glance once more at my wedding dress hanging on the closet door.

One more week.