Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
I spot my brother napping in an armchair across the room. He opens his eyes, sensing my presence. I’m moved by his insistence on meeting me at the end of my journey, when he could have been sleeping in his own bed.
“Sorry I’m late,” I say, giving him a hug. “It’s been a day.”
“You could have come with me three days ago,” he says.
“When we first made these travel plans, I had a job. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to take any time off,” I say, my voice low.
“But you’re here now,” Bryan says, still trying to catch up.
“I quit, and I’d love to give you the details, but right now I can’t even think straight,” I reply. “Give me a night to sleep on it, and I’ll explain what happened in the morning.”
“Of course,” he says. “The most important thing is that you’re okay. Are you okay?”
“I’ll be better after a shower and a solid eight hours of rest,” I promise. “But I’ll tell you one thing. I think I finally got the kick in the rear I needed to open that winery.”
“Makayla, that’s great. You’ve always been passionate about wine,” he says. “Mom and Dad would be thrilled for you.”
“I know they would,” I say, a quiet pang tugging at my heart.
Bryan walks me up to the reception desk and takes control. He gets my key card and hands it to me before grabbing both of my bags and heading toward the elevator.
“I can carry one,” I protest. “I’m tired, not helpless, big bro.”
“No way,” he says. “I’ve seen that look before. If I don’t help, you’ll toss my Power Rangers action figures out the window again.”
I shake my head. “That was one time.”
“I never found the Blue Ranger,” Bryan says, adding a dramatic pout.
“Stop,” I say, too tired to laugh.
“Fine,” he says, punching the elevator button. “I’ll just make sure you get to your room and then leave you in peace.”
I sigh. “Sorry. I’m out of sorts and taking it out on you.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he says. “It took me hours to unwind after my flight, and mine was a lot smoother.”
There’s a moment of silence and I lean against him. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a reassuring squeeze. The elevator doors slide open, and we pile in with my bags crowding our feet.
“Before we get to your room,” Bryan says, drawing a deep breath.
“What?” I ask.
“I have some friends who’ll be sharing your suite. I hope you don’t mind.”
“As long as I have a bed to crawl into for the rest of the night, I’m good,” I tell him.
“Of course,” he says. “You still have your own bathroom—there’ll just be other people in the common areas.”
“That’s fine,” I say. At this point, I don’t care if my suitemates are circus clowns, as long as they can stay quiet for a few precious hours.
“Great,” Bryan says.
The elevator glides to the second floor and opens onto a common area nearly as grand as the lobby. Bryan turns left and leads me down a hallway fit for Buckingham Palace.
I take a moment to appreciate the splendor. Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up in the lap of luxury and truly be able to enjoy my surroundings. I can’t wait to sink into the comforter and stretch out on a ten-thousand-dollar mattress.
Bryan pauses where the hallway splits. “One more thing,” he says. “I’m sorry—you’re exhausted, and this is terrible timing.”
I raise an eyebrow.
He sets my bags down and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a tiny velvet-lined box and flips it open, revealing a stunning diamond solitaire on a gold band.
My brain jolts back to life. This must be why Bryan asked me here.
“Holy smokes. Is that what I think it is? You’re proposing to Callie?” I gasp, flinging my arms around him. “I’m honored you’d want me here for this!”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, sis,” he says.
I take the box from him and lift the ring out for a closer inspection. The cut is perfect, and the gold band is neither too thick nor too thin. I slip it back into its cushion and hand it over.
“It’s perfect,” I say. “I’m sure she’ll say yes.”
“I hope so,” Bryan says, worry creasing his brow.
“Are you kidding?” I ask, giving his arm a gentle pinch. “She loves you. You know that.”
“Still… What if she has something else in mind for the proposal?” he asks, panic edging his voice. “We’ve never really talked about it. What if she wants a waterfall? Or a beach at sunset with a thousand candles? I chose this place because she’s always raving about the mountains in winter, but now I’m second-guessing everything. What if I blow it and she decides she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life with me?”