AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah.” I squeeze Brianna around her waist. “I think she’s accepting the two of us. She’ll come around.”
“I hope so. I hate that this bothers her so much.”
“I do too, baby. We’ll both take care of her.”
According to the concierge at the Waldorf, the Dome restaurant in Edinburgh is known for its grand and opulent ambience, and it features luxurious decor that exudes elegance and sophistication. His words, not mine.
Brianna and I arrive at the historic building. Brianna’s eyes go wide at the entrance’s classic columns and grand doorway.
“Thinking of your sister again?” I ask.
“Yeah. For sure. She’d love all this architecture. She should really be here.”
“She’ll come someday.” We walk into the restaurant and are greeted by the host.
But Brianna’s eyes are still circles. The atrium is adorned with intricately designed columns, marble floors, and an eye-catching central dome with a stained-glass ceiling. Hence the name of the restaurant, I guess.
The host leads us to our table, and above us hangs a crystal chandelier. This is pure elegance…and I feel totally out of place.
Brianna Steel, though? She was born for elegance. She may be a cowgirl at heart, but she’s just as much at home in a classy restaurant.
We choose to go with the chef’s menu for the evening—smoked salmon with capers, red onion, and lemon; Scotch broth soup with lamb, barley, and vegetables; pan-seared duck breast with orange sauce, fondant potato, and wilted spinach; and Cranachan parfait with toasted oats and raspberries. Our waiter recommends a light Burgundy with dinner, and Brianna orders a Highland single malt when he asks for her cocktail preference.
I have a beer.
I’m done trying to be something I’m not. Scotch is for those nights when I’m pulling my hair out.
The food is all delicious, and we don’t converse a lot during dinner.
When we arrive back at the hotel, we head to the bar for a nightcap.
Maddie is there, and seated with her is?—
I groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Brianna
I drop my mouth open and race toward Maddie’s table. “Oh my God! Dave! What are you doing here?”
My cousin David Simpson, son of Aunt Marj and Uncle Bryce, rises with a smile on his handsome face, his blue eyes sparkling.
“Hey, Bree.” He grabs me in a bear hug.
I pull back and echo my question. “What are you doing here?”
“I decided Brock and Donny couldn’t have all the fun. I came to join the Rake-a-teers in the UK.”
“Donny and Brock are no longer Rake-a-teers,” I remind him. “And Donny’s not even here.”
“Yeah. Maddie just filled me in. I’m sorry to hear about Dragon.”
Jesse hasn’t said anything so far, but the tension is flowing off him in waves. He’s behind me, and I can still feel his rigidity.
“Have you seen Brock yet?” I ask.
Dave shakes his head. “Nope. He and Rory had already retired when I got here. So I guess we’re off to Glasgow tomorrow for a concert.”
