Page 75 of Miss Fortune

There were at least two dozen people milling about on the back patio. I assumed most of them were either connected with the hospital, where my mother was the head of pediatrics, or the law firm, where my father was a named partner. Definitely no one I recognized, which was a relief, frankly. I didn’t try to find my mother right away, opting to lead Daisy to the bar.

“Something for you?”

“White wine would be lovely.”

“A chardonnay for the lady and an IPA for me, please,” I ordered from the bartender. Taking both drinks, I’d just handed off the wineglass when a flash of red sidled up and hip-checked me.

“Hi, big brother.” Brooke never failed to make a dramatic entrance.

I made a show out of wiping off my sleeve the beer she’d spilled with the bump. “Hello, middle sister. How are you?”

“On my way to getting drunk so I can get through tonight. You?”

“Staying sober so I’ll be able to drive out of here as soon as possible.”

“Hm, you might have the better plan, but it’s too late, I’m already three drinks in.” Brooke might be a total extrovert while I was obviously the opposite, but she’d never minded our differences.

“I want to introduce you to someone.”

My sister arched a perfectly shaped brow.

“Daisy, this is my sister, Brooke. Brooke, this is Daisy.”

“So nice to meet you.”

My sister, not known for her subtlety, looked toward me and then back at my date. “Wow, so nice to meet you too. You’re stunning.”

Daisy grinned. “Thank you. I love your dress.”

Brooke was wearing a red strapless number, probably more suited for a nightclub than my mother’s birthday party, but she clearly didn’t care. “Thank you. So how did you two meet?”

“She rear-ended me on the 101,” I replied, watching Brooke nearly spit out her drink.

Daisy nodded to confirm the unconventional meeting.

Brooke’s eyes sparkled at the story. “No way. That’s awesome.”

“Where’s Mike?” I scanned the guests but didn’t see her fiancé anywhere.

She took a shot of tequila from the bar and threw it back. “He’s either at a conference up in San Francisco for the weekend, or he’s cheating on me with some whore. Either way, he’s not here.”

“Wha-what?”

She shrugged. “Yeah, pretty sure he’s cheating on me. There have been signs, but I need to find proof.”

I had no clue what to say, but Daisy stepped in and put a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry.”

Brooke’s jaw wobbled before she took a deep breath. “It’s okay. Do you know our little sister skipped the entire party because she had plans with friends in Colorado? I swear that girl gets away with murder. Like she got all the love while we got all the shit.”

Perhaps being the youngest by over a decade had worked to Bethany’s advantage.

Brooke took a deep breath. “Man. Must be the tequila talking. Also, you might want to start doing shots stat.”

“Why?”

“’Cause here comes dear old Mom. Good luck.” She slipped off, leaving me there with Daisy, about to face one of two people who could actually inspire me to take a shot.

“Caleb, did you plan to hide out at the bar all night, or were you going to wish your mother a happy birthday?” My mother’s tone made it clear she was miffed I hadn’t made the effort to come see her yet.