Jaeg walked in the front door, and Buddy ran over to him. “What’s going on?” Jaeg swept Buddy up with one hand.
“Ireland and—”
Ireland slapped a hand over Cali’s mouth. That was all she needed—Cali telling the world that Bran loved her before the guy had even taken her on a date. “Nothing. Your fiancée has lost her mind trying to plan the wedding. Do you think we should get her bridezilla therapy?”
Jaeg nodded. “Possibly. Or we could make her pick a venue by the end of the week.”
Cali sat back and finally gave Ireland some space. Ireland carefully removed her fingers from over Cali’s mouth, sending a warning glare Cali appeared to read accurately.
Cali fluffed her hair and looked at her fiancé. “Our wedding will be the most important day of our lives. We can’t have it just anywhere.”
“Sure we can. Better than setting the world record for the longest engagement. Let’s tie the knot, babe. Who cares where it’s located? The moment is going to be amazing, no matter what.”
Tears sprang to Cali’s eyes, and she stood and walked over to Jaeg, hugging him. “You are the sweetest man alive, and you’re right. I’ll force myself to pick a venue by the end of the week.” She bit her lip and glanced at Ireland. “It’s not going to be easy, though.”
“I’ll help,” Ireland said.
“Have I mentioned that you’re the best cousin in the entire world?”
“Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it daily.”
“You’re the best,” Cali said. “Now help me with the laundry so we can make it to Wes and Kaylee’s housewarming party.”
Ireland grabbed a towel from the basket and started folding. “Housewarming party? Haven’t they been living in that house for a while?”
“Yes, but as soon as they moved in, they got married, and then the baby arrived. Things piled up and they haven’t had a proper housewarming.”
“You sure they don’t mind me tagging along?”
“Kaylee specifically asked if you could make it. I went ahead and accepted on your behalf.”
Ireland rolled her eyes. Cali was what you’d call pushy, but she had a big heart and always meant well.
And who was Ireland to complain? Cali had introduced Ireland to Bran, and after an admittedly rocky start, things were looking up.
Chapter 14
Bran set a bottle of Prime’s best wine on Wes and Kaylee’s kitchen counter, the high volume of his brothers’ voices vibrating in the air.
Wes glanced up and walked over. He slapped Bran on the back. “Glad you could make it. Kaylee is excited to show off the new furniture. Good thing she decorated and not me.”
“That’s for damn sure.”
Wes sent him a look of mock hurt. “I have taste. I picked Kaylee. She makes my world attractive.”
“Truer words were never said. She got you out of that one-room hovel.”
“Which you now live in.”
Bran grinned. “If it ain’t broke…” He looked around the room. Kaylee and Wes had been in the new house for nearly a year, but they’d only recently finished furnishing the place.
It was strange to consider how much had changed in only a few years. Not long ago, all of Bran’s brothers were single. Now, Wes and Adam had married, and Levi was working his way toward matrimonial bliss with Emily. Out of the five of them, only Bran and Hunt held down the fort in the singles’ department. And that made sense.
Bran couldn’t imagine Hunt settling down; he loved women too much. Attach that guy to just one? No way. Not to mention that Hunt picked the wrong woman every damn time. In that sense, Bran and Hunt were equally cursed.
If Bran allowed his instincts to control his actions, he’d very likely be in the same situation as Hunt—pollinating the town one beautiful woman at a time. Bran had taken measures to change his habits. He had rules. Though, admittedly, he’d ignored some of those rules since Ireland entered the picture.
So he wanted to take her on a date. And see her naked. Was that so wrong?
