Page 59 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

Maybe she could go in the kitchen and help Nadine wind down the day, but the lights were already low beyond the counters.

What kind of woman wanted to get away from her boyfriend? But it wasn’t Maxwell she wanted to avoid, it was Bryce, who seemed to enjoy nothing more than jabbing a stick in the spokes of their fledgling relationship.

Carrying his half-finished plate, Maxwell rounded the table and slid into Paisley’s deserted seat. “I missed you today,” he said quietly.

Eryn caught Bryce’s eyeroll from the corner of her eye, but she’d do her best to ignore him if Maxwell did. “I missed you, too.”

“Get any more done on the proposal?”

“A bit. I could show you a sketch later.”

He grinned at her. “I’d like that.”

“I’d like that,” Bryce echoed in a mocking tone.

Maxwell turned to his brother. “Don’t you have a life of your own? Because you’ve overstayed your welcome around here.”

“The dining hall is a public space.”

Maxwell shook his head and ate several more bites before rising. “I think I’ve had enough. Are you ready to go?”

Eryn eyed his plate. “You don’t want your dinner?”

“Seems my appetite has fled.” He glanced toward his brother.

Bryce smirked.

“I’m good sitting here until you’re done. You’ve worked hard today and need your calories.”

Maxwell stood beside his chair, clearly undecided.

“You two are just too cute,” Bryce mocked as he stood up. “I know when I’m not wanted.”

“Do you?” Maxwell stared him down across the table.

“Definitely, but you make it entirely too amusing to take you seriously. I’ll be going now. Don’t worry. I’ll see you around.” Bryce sauntered off.

Maxwell released a long breath but didn’t reseat himself until the lodge doors closed. “Sorry.”

“He’s your brother. He’s not you.” Words Eryn should take to heart in her own life.

“I know, but still. He’s mostly ignored me forever, and I’m not sure how I got a target plastered on my back now.”

Had Eryn underestimated Bryce? Was he actually jealous of Maxwell because of her? No. Couldn’t be. She wasn’t that special.

Maxwell pushed the remaining food around his plate and shook his head. “I wasn’t completely kidding about my appetite having disappeared.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I can only blame Bryce for that. He makes everything seem so unpalatable.”

Bryce being at their table and mocking Maxwell was Eryn’s fault, though, but there wasn’t any point in arguing about it. “I don’t want to talk about your brother.”

Maxwell grimaced. “Me, either. I finally have my sweet girl to myself, and all I can talk about is my petty sibling? Smooth move, Sullivan.” He caught Eryn’s eye and offered a self-deprecating smile.

“What did you think of Paisley’s idea for a trail ride up to the lake? She showed me some photos from their camping trip there last summer.”

“It’s November. We’d be lucky if the trail wasn’t covered in snow.”

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