Page 78 of Miss Fortune

“You’re sorry I’m here?”

“Not at all. You’re the best thing about today, but I feel bad our night was hijacked.”

“You know, I always wanted siblings, and one of the reasons was because I’d imagined they’d be someone who always have your back no matter what. Despite her brave front, your sister is clearly hurting, and she’s missed spending time with you.”

He sighed. “Yeah, it has been a while since we’ve talked, but I can’t believe Mike would cheat on her. He didn’t seem the type.”

“How long have they been together?”

Brooke answered, coming out of her bedroom in a T-shirt and shorts. “Four long, wasted years.”

Caleb walked over to peruse her cabinet, possibly for something stronger than wine. Brooke handed me a glass of white and sipped her own, sighing with bliss at the first taste.

“How long have you suspected him of cheating?” I asked.

“A few weeks. He started acting weird about his cell phone. Hiding it all the time when he was around me.” She examined the ring on her left hand. “At least I’ll get to keep this. I bought it myself. I would have been satisfied with something simpler, but Mike thought my parents would see a less expensive ring as a negative reflection on him, so I funded the purchase of a two-carat diamond. Stupid, right?”

I was beginning to see a pattern when it came to the parents.

She blew out a long breath. “Thanks for being here, you two. I know this is not how you pictured your evening. I’m okay, if you want to leave.”

Caleb’s gaze met mine, unmistakably leaving the decision to me.

“Nope, we promised dinner and wine, and I those are things I’d never say no to,” I decided.

We stayed up until three o’clock in the morning, watching bad sci-fi movies, drinking wine, and eating Japanese food. I fell asleep on Caleb’s shoulder but woke alone to the light pouring through the patio window.

I grabbed my phone, squinting at the time. Eight o’clock. Standing up slowly, I rolled my neck, already feeling the effects of awkward couch sleeping.

“Good morning,” came Brooke’s voice from her kitchen. “I have coffee.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and walked over to take a seat at her kitchen island.

“Caleb told me you take it with cream and sugar, so hopefully this is to your liking.”

I took a sip, thankful for the caffeine. “It’s delicious, thanks. Where is he?”

“He went to pick up some breakfast. He’s always so thoughtful.”

Yes, he was.

“You doing okay?” I’d just met Brooke, but it was obvious she was a strong, capable woman who would get through whatever was happening with her fiancé. Added to that, she was absolutely stunning, with her shoulder-length hair, high cheekbones, and beautiful gray eyes.

She blew out a breath. “Yeah, I’ll be fine, and of course, I’ll keep you guys updated. Anyhow, I’m sorry I didn’t meet you under better circumstances, Daisy. I had too much to drink last night and completely robbed you guys of a fun night.”

“I had fun getting to know you.”

“You make my brother happy. It’s nice to see.”

“He makes me happy.”

“But?”

Was there ever a more loaded question? “But you’re his sister, and I’ll leave it with he makes me happy.”

She chuckled. “Fair enough. All I’ll say is to be patient with him. He internalizes a lot. Unlike me, who probably should do more internalizing and less blurting out whatever’s on my mind.”

We both turned at the sound of the door opening. Caleb appeared tired, dressed in his rumpled suit, carrying a box filled with doughnuts, yet he was still so handsome. The five o’clock shadow was sexy on him.