Page 58 of Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers 4)

“What is that supposed to mean?” After a moment of sputtering, he looked over at her and barked, “He’s turning you against us.”

She forced herself to respond. “I…”

She looked up at Cole. He urged her on with a nod, but she had nothing. He had just stuck his neck out for her, and she didn’t even have enough courage to stick up for herself. Or for him.

“Harold, dear. Everyone is waiting.” Her mother placed her hand gently on her father’s arm, without even looking at him. She was staring right at Penn.

“I’m not fin—”

“Yes, you are.” Her mom glared at her dad. It was…weird. Margot Foster never came between the Sergeant and an argument. “We have to announce the winner.”

She tugged on his arm, her father letting out a disgruntled huff. But he took one more moment to stare down Cole, who gave it back to him in return.

When it was just the two of them, she hung her head.

“He shouldn’t have said any of those things. I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have—”

“I never thought I’d say this, but I miss your big mouth. I hate seeing you like this.” He feathered his fingers through her hair, but she shrugged away. “Christ, Penn.”

Tears stung behind her eyelids, but she blinked them away. She would not cry. She would not let the words of this man affect her so deeply. Because once they got back home, she might have to make a choice. And the odds were, that choice wouldn’t include being with Cole.

Cole showing up in Hawaii had been the best thing to ever happen to her. And maybe, when they untangled themselves from between the bed sheets and went back to their regular, non-sexual lives, their friendship would be stronger because of it. But until then…

She had a trophy to win.

They walked, out of sync, into the dining room. Cole lagged two steps behind. Despite the edge between them, she wasn’t going to let the confrontation ruin dinner.

She and Cole had totally kicked scavenger hunt ass. Kicked it right in the tuckus. He sat beside her, a cocky grin curving his mouth. The fact that he was here, supporting her, meant more to her than…well, than the trophy.

And you didn’t have his back.

She looked around the table. Ian’s arm was draped across his wife’s shoulders, his hand absently rubbing her arm. Dave was pounding back a beer with a big smile on his face because he assumed, as he had for the last five years, he and Beth had won. And then there was Pete. Who was neither here nor there when it came to family competitions, but that didn’t mean he didn’t try his best. He just didn’t throw it in anyone else’s face. Which she appreciated.

But at the end of the day, they were her brothers, her ultimate competition, and she’d set out this year to beat them any way she could. In a few minutes she’d be holding that cup, a winner in their eyes for the very first time. Hopefully, overshadowing every stupid thing she’d done on this trip.

Cole’s phone beeped inside his jacket pocket. She’d asked him to leave it in the room. As he pulled it out, she frowned. Cell phones at the table were a Foster no-no.

“Put that away,” she whispered. He gave her a look.

The moment she saw the twitch in Cole’s jaw, she knew. Something wasn’t right.

“Something more interesting than this table, Mr. Murphy?” her father asked.

Cole had embarrassed him outside the restaurant. She knew his disapproving tone was a way to regain some of his control.

But by the look in Cole’s eyes, there was something more interesting going on. The only question was whether it was a good interesting or a bad interesting. He shook it off and slunk back into his seat, mouthing, “Sorry.”

When the waiter had taken their orders, Penn couldn’t stand the awkward silence at the table. The tension between her and Cole was palpable, and she wanted to get down to business. “Can you just give me the cup now, so we can end this?”

“What makes you think you won?” Dave muttered.

“Because I got the bonus item—a selfie with a koi fish. Did any of you?” She crossed her arms over her chest and scanned their faces. She didn’t think so.

Her father looked at her with sympathy. “I’m afraid you didn’t win.”

She stared at him blankly. “I’m sorry, what?” She did not just hear that.

“Yes!” Beth celebrated with a fist pump.

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