A booming voice cut through the polite chatter. I turned to see Kyle, Denise’s brother and Brandon’s best friend, striding toward me. He looked tanned, fresh from his business trip in Dubai.
“Kyle,” I smiled, genuinely this time. I had always liked Kyle. He was brash, but he was honest. Unlike the rest of them.
He pulled me into a bear hug. “Good to see you, Mo. You look stunning as always.” He released me and clapped a hand on Brandon’s shoulder, who had just materialized beside me. “And you, you lucky bastard. Still punching above your weight, I see.”
Brandon laughed, clinking his glass against Kyle’s. “Always, Kyle. Always.”
“Hey,” Kyle’s expression turned serious. “I wanted to say thank you. For taking care of Denise while I was gone. I know she can be a handful.”
“Oh, it was nothing,” Brandon said quickly, his smile tight. “She’s been great. Very… quiet.”
I took a sip of my water, hiding a smirk. Quiet?
“Actually,” I said, my voice light and conversational, “it’s been lovely seeing her so happy. I think having a boyfriend has really settled her down.”
The air around us froze.
Kyle blinked. “A boyfriend?”
Brandon stiffened beside me. I could feel the heat radiating off him.