“Nah. Just brushed it off and kept workin’. Though these assholes keep bringin’ it up.” He grabs his dinner roll and tosses it at Payton. It bounces off his head and onto the table. He goes to grab it to throw it back, just as Maize walks by.

“No food fights tonight, boys,” she says.

“How’s your day goin’?” Kane asks as he angles his body toward me.

“It was good. Hung out with Harper. Besides the incident, how was yours?”

“Not bad. I was glad to see you last night. Made my early morning tiredness worth it.” He flashes me a wink, and butterflies unexpectedly surface.

“Me too. Will Ferrell movie night never disappoints,” I admit, smiling up at him.

Hanging out with Kane is always a good time, and that’ll never change. Just as I take another bite of my food, in walks Knox. His deep blue eyes meet mine briefly, then shift to his brother, who’s nearly sitting on my lap. The chatter at the table lowers to a whisper.

Though I know everyone’s thinking about how awkward this is, no one says a damn word. The tension in the room grows so thick that it nearly chokes me. Even Harper gives me a look at how uncomfortable this whole situation is.

Harper and I hold a private conversation while Knox goes to the buffet, then takes a seat at the opposite end of the table.

“Hey, Knox. How are ya doin’ today?” Harper asks him in a friendly tone, but not even Molly Sunshine can brighten this room. I swallow hard, feeling like my potatoes are stuck in the back of my throat.

He gives her a nod and mutters, “Fine.” While everyone else chats, he stays eerily quiet and to himself.

Once he’s done eating, he puts up his dishes and leaves without saying goodbye.

“What’s his deal?” Payton asks, then meets my eyes. No one answers him.

Instead, Harper speaks up. “So, who’s having dessert?”

“I don’t think I can eat anymore,” I say, wishing I could chase after Knox and explain what he just walked into. But instead, I stay planted. Eating with Harper, Kane, and the other ranch hands isn’t unusual for me. He’s just grumpy after our fight last night and our texts earlier.

“Yeah, me either,” she admits, then takes my plate. “I’m gonna grab Ethan a to-go box before I go.”

“Yeah, me too. It was fun packaging with you today. Thanks for listening to me earlier.”

“Of course, babe. Did you see the look on his face?” Harper whispers. “Knox is livid.”

“I know. I told ya. There’s no winning in this situation.”

She wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “You’ll figure it out. If not, just wait until the next bachelor auction and bid on someone else.”

I burst out laughing. “Not a half-bad idea.”