Page 55 of My Brother's Best Friends

I laugh softly, unsure whether I should take it as a compliment, especially given the events of the day. Leaning forward, I give Callie a wondering look. “What’s the answer, then? What will you tell him?”

“Yes. A thousand times yes,” she says. “But… Knowing that this trip was going to be so special from the get-go, and seeing as he booked flights and accommodation for you and the Anderson brothers, too… and given some old history I don’t think you’re familiar with, I, um… I went ahead and booked my sister on a flight to be with us. Her own room, too.”

“Oh! I didn’t know you had a sister.”

She nods slowly. “We’ve had a complicated relationship over the years. Bryan doesn’t really like her, to be honest. But I want Mel to be here. She’s the only family I’ve got left…”

Honestly, Bryan doesn’t like surprises—not the kind that breed awkwardness, anyway. He’s also not one to hold grudges; he’s a golden-retriever soul through and through. What fascinates—and worries—me is that he never mentioned Callie’s sister.

Sure, I’ve been away for years, but still—how did that tidbit escape me?

“Okay, I see,” I say to Callie. “How exactly were you planning on springing this on my brother?”

“Melanie is supposed to get checked into the resort tonight,” she replies. “Tomorrow, at breakfast, I was going to tell him that she’s already here. I don’t know how to tell him without giving away the fact that I know about the incoming proposal. He’s worked so hard to make it perfect…”

I can’t help but chuckle dryly. “Just blame your sister. It’s what I would do if I were in your place.” I pause and adopt a nasal, feline tone for dramatic effect. “Oh, honey, all I did was tell Melanie that we were vacationing here in this wonderful place. I had no idea she’d want to pop in to enjoy it herself. But since she’s here… why not?”

“That’s not the worst impression of Callie I’ve heard,” a woman’s voice brings our conversation to a sudden halt.

Callie’s humor turns to surprise as she looks up, eyes sparkling with recognition.

I follow her gaze to see a beautiful, slim-figured woman approach our table. A black satin dress cinches her waist, and six-inch stilettos—undoubtedly painful—lift her already perky backside. If I passed her on the street, I’d never peg her as Callie’s sister; they look carved from different worlds.

“Mel!” Callie jumps up. “I thought you weren’t landing in Stockholm until after ten p.m.”

“I got the flight details wrong,” Mel replies. Her eyes sweep across the table, taking in the white cotton tablecloth and thefine china plates. Finally, her eyes settle on me and she smiles in a way that’s not entirely friendly. “I hope my showing up now isn’t a problem.”

“Makayla, this is Melanie, my sister,” Callie introduces us. “Mel, this is Makayla, Bryan’s sister.”

“So nice to meet you,” I say, standing up.

She shakes my hand—her grip tighter than I’d like. Melanie then gives her sister a long look. “You’re sweating bullets, sis. What’s wrong?”

I chuckle. “Callie barely looped me in. She hasn’t told Bryan about you joining the party.”

“Ah, hence why you suggested placing the blame on me,” Melanie replies, her voice flat.

“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to?—”

“No, you’re absolutely right,” she cuts me off, then gives Callie a warm smile. “It seems like the perfect way to prevent a disaster. Bryan gets to propose the way he intended, and I get to watch my little sister say yes to the man of her dreams. Everybody wins.”

I don’t know whether I like or hate her. Rarely do I find myself so conflicted about someone, but maybe it’s because I already know that Bryan isn’t Melanie’s biggest fan, and I tend to trust my brother’s judgment, in general. At the same time, this is still Callie’s sister. And no one is perfect, at the end of the day. Some benefit of the doubt wouldn’t hurt.

“When did you get in?” I ask as we all sit down together.

“Just a few hours ago,” Melanie says. “You wouldn’t believe how difficult it was to get away. There’s so much work to be done at my office, now that I’ve made junior partner.”

“Mel is a corporate attorney,” Callie explains.

Melanie seems to be the whole package—brains and beauty. “That is beyond impressive,” I say. “It takes a certain degree of ambition to make it up the corporate law ladder, right?”

“I usually get what I want,” she says, and something in her tone unsettles me. “How about you, Makayla?”

“Me? I was a junior account executive at a boutique marketing firm until recently, but now I’m looking for something different.”

“I’m not surprised. Marketing can be brutal—not everyone’s cut out for it. I’m sure you’ll find something you love eventually,” she says. The condescension grates.

Callie is too worried about how she’ll explain this to Bryan to notice, but that’s alright. I can hold my own, though I’m not sure what Melanie’s beef is with me. Maybe it’s with everyone she meets. Maybe this, right here, is why my brother doesn’t like her.

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