Page 33 of For the Promise

Kai’s favorite is the Talk Like a Pirate. Everyone has to talk like a pirate and if they don’t, they forfeit the round.

Zane’s rule is the Siren’s Curse. If anyone draws the Queen of Hearts, they’re cursed and have to end every sentence with “arrr” until someone else draws a queen.

Only Rhett doesn’t have an outrageous rule. My brothers think I’m the boring one, but Rhett can be a stick in the mud when it comes to cards and money. He’s very serious about money. It’s probably why he’s the CFO of the distillery.

“Can we please stop talking about poker?” Zane asks.

I frown. “It’s poker night. What else would we discuss besides poker?”

He rolls his eyes. “How about why you’re attending a wedding as Blossom’s plus one this weekend.”

My brow wrinkles. “How do you know?”

Eli clears his throat. “The event coordinator atHideaway Haven Resortphoned me to ask what your name is.”

“Why does she need to know my name?”

He raises an eyebrow. “Because you’re attending Alan and Stacey’s wedding this weekend and she needs your name for the place cards.”

“Place cards?”

“Are you serious?” Zane asks. “Even I know place cards are placed at your assigned seat at a wedding.”

“He’s stalling,” Kai says.

“What am I stalling about?”

Miles taps his chin. “I don’t think he’s stalling. I think he’s genuinely confused.”

“What am I supposed to be confused about? What am I missing?” I hate when I don’t understand what’s happening. But I should be used to it. My brothers love to speak in riddles.

Eli shoves a glass of whiskey in my hand. “We want to know what’s going on with you and Blossom.”

“Nothing’s going on.”

Rhett crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re accompanying her to a wedding and nothing’s going on?”

My nose wrinkles. “Why do you appear mad?”

“Because Blossom is Dakota’s best friend.”

“I’m aware.”

Zane throws an arm around my shoulders. “Rhett loves Dakota. Dakota loves Blossom. Therefore, if you hurt Blossom, you hurt Dakota and Rhett gets mad.”

“I understand the logic.” I clear my throat. “But I am not hurting Blossom. I’m helping her.”

Miles chuckles. “This ought to be good.”

I frown at him. “There’s nothing funny about this.”

Zane squeezes my shoulder. “He doesn’t mean the current situation. He means the fallout.”

“The fallout?”

“You’ll see,” he mutters before dropping his arm and strolling to the bar and pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

“How are you helping Blossom?” Rhett asks.

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