Page 77 of Miss Fortune

“Fine,” I gritted, my gaze beseeching Daisy to forgive me.

She turned toward Brooke. “I must’ve passed.”

Brooke’s gaze ping-ponged between us. “Am I interrupting a tiff? What happened? Did my parents behave horribly?”

Daisy’s expression was tight. “No, it wasn’t them.”

The implication was clear; it had been me. “We’re leaving.” I needed to get Daisy alone, so I could properly apologize and explain.

Brooke threw back another shot and quickly chased it with wine. “Good, what do you think about getting dinner? The appetizers here are small and sad.”

I was tempted to pass, but her expression was so hopeful, I left it to Daisy.

She smiled at my sister. “I don’t mind getting dinner.”

Brooke clapped her hands before turning to me, using her version of puppy eyes. “Please, big brother. I never get to see you. And this could be the last time you see me before I end up in jail for murdering my fiancé.”

I shook my head, laughing. “You’re so dramatic.”

She turned toward Daisy. “What a pair we make. I’m always too much, while Caleb was never enough.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Daisy

I could see the words slice through Caleb as though he’d been physically assaulted with them. Only a few minutes with his parents had revealed a glimpse of his childhood, but Brooke’s words had exposed a larger picture. Yet I had so many questions and wondered if I was missing an important piece of the puzzle.

Although I was still hurt by the way he’d characterized my occupation to his father, my pain was mitigated by Brooke’s revelation. Perhaps it had been a reflex on Caleb’s part to answer his father the way he had? Unfortunately, we’d have to wait until later before I could ask the question. His sister was now the priority.

“Shall we go?” she asked, oblivious she’d tossed a grenade into the mix.

By the time the valet brought the car around, Brooke was leaning on her brother for support, bringing into question whether she’d be functional enough for a restaurant. Caleb assisted her into the back seat while I climbed into the passenger side. He didn’t speak for a few minutes, sneaking a glance in the rearview mirror to check on his sister first. She had her head laid back with her eyes closed.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I panicked because I didn’t want my parents to judge you.”

“I don’t care about your parents’ judgment, but I do care about yours.”

“I’m not embarrassed by you, I promise. If anything, it’s my parents I’m ashamed of. They’re so hung up on titles and status. It’s why I hardly ever go home.”

After only a couple minutes in their company, I could see why. I’d never met colder, more shallow people. It was clear they’d relished hearing about a mother having a son in rehab, as if it was a competition.

I was about to respond when a face came up between the two front seats. “Listen to him, Daisy. Our parents are assholes.”

Caleb shook his head, smiling, while I did the same.

“There’s a great Japanese place up here on the left. Let’s go there.” She was suddenly fully awake, gaze locked on the road in front of us.

“Will you please sit back and put your seat belt on, Brooklyn?”

“Ugh. Fine.”

We pulled up, but you could tell from the number of people waiting outside it might be a while before we could be seated.

“How about we get takeout?” suggested Brooke. “I have plenty of wine at my condo, and plus, it’ll be more comfortable.”

After we arrived at Brooke’s beautiful condo, our take-out bags in hand, she disappeared into her bedroom to change. While waiting for her, Caleb and I took out plates and silverware.

He breathed out a sigh once the bedroom door closed. “I’m sorry. This entire night was a mistake.”