Page 26 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"Sorry." He pockets it, but his hand keeps drifting toward his jacket.

I catch Dax watching his brother, a flicker of concern crossing his features before his expression smooths back into neutrality.

The rest of dinner passes in a blur of conversation and excellent food. I'm acutely aware of every time Dax looks at me, every time our eyes meet across the table. There's something building in the air between us, something I don't have a name for and don't want to examine too closely.

This is wrong. He's Miles's brother. I take another sip of wine and try to focus on anything except the man sitting across from me.

Dessert is served—tiramisu and panna cotta—and Miles's best man stands, tapping his glass with a fork.

"Can I have everyone's attention?" Eric grins, clearly already tipsy.

"I'd like to make a toast to Miles and Scarlett."

The room quiets, all eyes turning toward him.

"I've known Miles since college," Eric begins, "and I've never seen him as happy as he is with Scarlett. She's smart, she's beautiful, and for some reason, she agreed to marry this guy." Laughter ripples through the room.

"Tomorrow, they're going to promise to love each other for the rest of their lives, and I have no doubt they will. To Miles and Scarlett!"

"To Miles and Scarlett!" everyone echoes, raising their glasses.

I smile and take a sip, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest.

Jane stands next.

"As Scarlett's maid of honor, I'm legally required to embarrass her a little." More laughter.

"We've been best friends since we were eighteen, and I've watched her grow into this incredible woman. Miles is a lucky man. Tomorrow is going to be beautiful, and I'm so honored to be standing beside you. To love and happiness!"

"To love and happiness!"

My father gives a brief, awkward toast aboutmarriage being a partnership. My mother dabs at her eyes with a napkin. Barbara stands and speaks about watching Miles grow up, about how proud his father would be, about welcoming me into their family with open arms.

Then Dax rises. The room falls silent in a different way. There's weight to his presence, authority that commands attention without demanding it.

"I'm not usually one for speeches," he begins, his voice carrying easily through the space.

"But my brother is getting married tomorrow, and that deserves acknowledgment."

He pauses, and his eyes find mine across the table.

"Miles and I haven't always been close. We've lived different lives, made different choices. He chose journalism and independence. I chose the family business and responsibility. But despite our differences, he's my brother, and I want him to be happy."

His gaze hasn't left my face.

"Marriage is a commitment. A choice you make every day to put someone else first, to build a life together, to weather whatever storms come your way. It's not easy. It requires sacrifice and compromise and unwavering dedication."

Something in his tone makes my skin prickle.

"Scarlett," he says, and the sound of my name in his voice does something to me, "you're clearly an exceptional woman. Intelligent, driven, passionate about your work. My brother is fortunate to have found you."

The compliment should feel generic, appropriate fora rehearsal dinner toast. Instead, it feels personal. Intimate.

"To Scarlett and Miles," Dax raises his glass.

"May you find the happiness you both deserve."

"To Scarlett and Miles!"