Page 48 of Filthy Twisted Devil

“What if I hosted the Christmas party at Twisted Devil this year?” I suggest, wracking my brain for anything to make her stop crying.

She sniffs. “Really? You’d do that?”

“Of course!” Anything to make her stop crying.

It took a while to convince James that Maura would survive the short drive to our tasting room, but eventually, he caved. I'm guessing that all Maura had to do was cry once to get him to agree.

Fortunately, the tasting room was already decked out for the holidays, so I didn’t have to haul in Christmas trees for the party. The glittery garlands and hanging bundles of mistletoe were deemed sufficient by everyone. I did, though, have to promise Beau a walk-through to ensure the space was perfect for the proposal. Other than some extra twinkle lights, Twisted Devil passed inspection.

The resulting party is a little more adult than our usual White Elephant parties, which included party games, occasional stripping, and, usually, an ice luge. Tonight, everyone’s dressed up nice and sipping drinks instead of downing shots. It makes sense—plenty of us are going to be plunged into adulthood by the time we hit next Christmas. Maura is due by the end of January, and Cat should have her baby mid-April. If everything goes right for Beau and Brinley, they'll be planning a wedding.

If I didn't know better, I'd assume Brinley knew the proposal was coming tonight. She looks great in an ivory silk gown that emphasizes the contrast between her pale skin and dark hair. Beau stares at her like she’s a bomb about to go off. When she touches his arm, he practically jumps, like she can feel the ring box in his jacket pocket through his biceps.

As for me, I’m having a hard time not staring at my own date. Eden looks like a fucking princess in a dark red dress that sways around her knees. The square neckline is just low enough to make me lean forward every time she bends over, even though I can’t see anything. I’m just too goddamn aware of her soft skin, more on display than usual.

Her long neck is bare, and I can't help wondering whether she would be wearing the necklace I bought her if I hadn't run into her at the Christmas fair. I just saw that thin gold chain with the delicate carved poppy charm and thought of her. I didn't expect her to buy me anything, either, but I know it would be weird to give it to her now.

I notice that her glass is empty, so I nudge Beau.

“Hey, do you have any more of that peppermint martini batch left?” I ask.

His face lights up. “No! I don't, actually.”

“And you're excited about it…why?”

“I need something to do with my hands that isn't just checking my pocket for the ring,” he says in a low voice. “I'm freaking out.”

“You know she's going to say yes, right?” I remind him. “She agreed to be in a secret relationship with you for years. If that's not love, I don't know what is.”

I follow Beau behind the bar, where he pulls out the vodka and the peppermint schnapps.

“Rationally, I know that,” he says. “In my head, though, all I can see is her looking down at the ring with disgust and telling me I’m a delusional idiot.”

“Knowing Brinley, she might do all that and say yes,” I say, and Beau glares.

“Don't joke,” he snaps. “I'm too freaked out for jokes.”

I raise my hands in defeat. “Fine. No more trying to lighten the mood from me.”

“Thank you. That’s all I wanted.”

When he's finished, I carry two peppermint martinis over to the couches where Eden’s sitting with the other girls. She stiffens slightly as I slide onto the sofa next to her.

“I’ve got fresh martinis for you and Brin,” I say, earning a bright smile from my sister.

“Thanks! For the drink, and for being the only man brave enough to infiltrate our feminine corner,” Brinley says.

“Hey! We’re not cowards,” Ryan yells over from the table where he sits with Nate and James. “As soon as I’m finished taking their money, I’ll be right there.”

“He’s not even being cocky,” Nate groans. “He already took out Beau. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Impending fatherhood has weakened them,” Ryan says. “If you're thinking about babies, you're not thinking about blinds.”

Pippa rolls her eyes. “He says, as if he didn't order magnet frames for our refrigerator to hang up both your ultrasounds.”

“Baby fever is catching,” Cat jokes. “Who’s next?”

“Not me,” Pippa declares. “My IUD is happy right where she is, thanks.”