Page 224 of The Maxwell Brothers

"You're the only one who didn't even give me advice," I reminded him.

“No, I’m doing my job of playing devil’s advocate. That’s the most efficient way to rile up the others, and they have the best ideas when they’re riled up. And you don’t appreciate it one bit.”

That was Luke to a T.

I looked at Gran and also at my parents. While I liked asking my brothers for their opinions, I usually didn't just broadcast whatever was happening to the entire family over dinner. Then again, I was in search of ideas, and I was never proud of asking others.

“I want to propose to Kendra, and I’m still in the early stages of planning it. Ideas are welcome. I need it to be perfect.”

Sam chuckled. “You always do. It’s ‘go big or go home’ for you, no matter what you do.”

My mother clasped her hands together, smiling from ear to ear. “Darling, that’s great news. Oh, I’d lost hope that you boys would ever find partners, and now youandTate are getting married.”

“Did she just call us hopeless?” Travis asked no one in particular.

“She did,” Declan answered with a laugh.

“Congratulations, son,” Dad said. “I’m not the creative mind of the family, so I’ve got no input.”

“You can take her out to a fancy restaurant,” Mom said.

Gran pointed at me. "Tyler, out of all your brothers, you're the one who has the best intuition. So my advice is just to trust your gut feeling, and it will lead you the best way."

"Just putting it out there, but what if the gut instinct sucks?" Travis asked.

"Language, young man," Gran said, and Travis quickly glanced at Paisley, flashing her a grin. Paisley was looking at us with wide eyes. My poor niece.

"I think your gran's idea is excellent," Mom said. "I think most of her advice is on point, isn't it, darling?" she said with an uncharacteristic smile, turning to Dad, who nodded stoically.

A few seconds later, I realized he was darting his gaze around. I didn't call him out on it, though I would keep it in mind for later.

Paisley straightened in her seat. “I have an idea. I wrote a letter for Lexi on my birthday, where I asked her if she wanted to be my mom.” Glancing at Lexi, she asked, “You liked that, didn’t you?”

Lexi smiled. Her eyes became glassy. “Very much.”

I still stood by my principle of not doing the same trick, but Paisley’s story sparked an idea.

“Thanks, Paisley.” With a wink, I added, “You’re the most useful Maxwell in the room tonight.”

She beamed from ear to ear. “You can thank me by making me your flower girl at your wedding too.”

Damn, she had some serious Maxwell negotiation skills.

“Deal.” Turning to Gran, I said, “I don’t want to hijack your birthday.”

She waved her hand. “I don’t mind.”

The doorbell rang, interrupting Gran.

“That’s Kendra. Not one word to her about the proposal.”

“Obviously, dude,” Travis said as I headed to the front door.

“Yeah, we’re not amateurs,” Declan called after me.

“Yes you are,” Sam said. “You just can’t tell.”

As I opened the door, Kendra took off her beanie. She was holding a huge box in one hand.