Page 64 of My Brother's Best Friends

“Granted, I crushed on one of them back in high school, but the age gap—and life—kept anything from happening. Besides, they’re really Bryan’s friends, so I didn’t really keep in touch over the years.”

“But now you’re sharing a suite with them,” Melanie continues, refusing to let it go.

“It’s just a suite,” I say, setting the brochure down with finality, hoping that will discourage more questions. “You know, come to think of it, I am pretty tired.”

“Sure,” Melanie agrees.

“I hit the slopes for the first time today, and now I’m discovering muscles I never knew I had,” I joke.

“Well, I’ll let you get some sleep, then.” Melanie winks. “If that’s what you really want.”

“It is,” I confirm, offering her my hand. “It was so nice to meet you. And I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

“I’d like that,” Melanie responds. ’I hear the coffee is really good here.”

“It is. Nighty night!”

I watch her head for the main lobby while I linger near the secondary elevator on the spa side of the resort. My hand trembles when I jab the call button. My heart is racing. I feel as if I’ve just walked out of a police interrogation and still don’t know why. What is Melanie’s deal? Why is she so concerned about me and the triplets? Maybe she’s just a busybody who wants all the hot gossip. Maybe she’s more, and the Anderson brothers can help complete the puzzle.

Upon reaching my door, I dig the keycard out of my clutch and I’m delighted to see the brothers waiting for me as I walk in. They seem surprised and pleased to have me back.

“You got back early,” Alex says.

I set my clutch near the door and let out a breathy laugh. “Should I have stayed with Melanie?”

“No, absolutely not. The farther you stay from her, the better,” Kellan says, wrapping me in a hug.

I melt into his embrace and inhale his musky scent; heat flares low in my belly. Yet his warning prickles my nerves. My body wants one thing, but my mind argues for caution.

“What do you mean?” I ask him.

“Nothing in particular,” Kellan says. “She’s just not… Let’s just say she’s not the kind of person you want to be around.”

“She seems nice enough,” I reply. “Although I noticed the sharp edges, too. What’s her deal, exactly? Callie says my brother doesn’t like her, either.”

The triplets exchange concerned glances before they move their focus back to me. The air feels thick, charged with more than the obvious pull of physical hunger—something else simmers beneath it.

“It’s ancient history, Kay,” Oscar says. “Nothing for you to worry about. I promise.”

“Okay, but she’s going to be family. Should I prepare for some kind of crisis in the future? Or what?”

“She wasn’t really supposed to be here, in the first place,” Alex says.

“Callie invited her.”

Alex, Kellan, and Oscar give me stunned looks. Their wide eyes make me burst into laughter because rarely do I see men like these reduced to such wordless creatures. It is almost endearing, if not a tad cute, regardless of their animosities with Melanie.

“Thing is… Callie figured out that this is a proposal trip,” I add.

“I knew it,” Alex hisses. “I knew she’d put two and two together.”

“Did you tell Bryan anything?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Then leave him in the dark. Callie plans to let him go ahead with his proposal. She’s going to say yes,” I reply. “But she really wanted Melanie here with her.”

The brothers look at each other again, and I catch their fleeting frowns; I can almost hear the words they leave unsaid, though I can’t fill in the blanks myself. Whatever it is, it feels complicated and unpleasant. And perhaps we’re too early in our relationship to address it.

---