Page 127 of Big Dill

The thought twists before I can stop it. Maybe on the surface they’re similar. But underneath? No. They’re different people. Different values. Different hearts.

Jami would never betray me.

Then why the hell didn’t you ask her to stay?

Because I…I couldn’t stand the thought of her hating this place. Of choosing me and resenting it later. I want her happy. Even if that happiness looks like Toronto. Like skyscrapers and dreams I can’t compete with.

When we win the game, Elise whoops and runs straight at me. Before I can react, she jumps, wraps her legs around my hips, her arms slinging around my neck.

What the fuck…

I grab her and peel her off me, setting her back on her feet. She’s laughing, completely unbothered, like this is normal. Like this is allowed.

“Well done,” she says, still smiling.

Nicola already has her phone in one hand and her paddle in the other. Did she even set it down to play? I swear that thing is practically fused to her palm. But I guess that’s Hollywood—existence only counts if it’s documented.

“Can I get a group photo?” she asks brightly. “We all look so good in Jami’s clothes.”

“Yeah, sure,” Susan says without hesitation.

I stall for half a second. The idea of being photographed beside Elise twists something sour in my gut. But we are wearing Jami’s designs. This is how she got the buyer meeting in the first place—visibility, proof of concept, bodies moving in her clothes.

It could help her career, so I nod. After the pictures, I head back to my office and change into my work clothes. I’m halfway through stacking files when Elise appears in the doorway, leaning casually like she belongs there.

“Want to grab dinner tonight?” she asks.

“I’m staying late,” I say easily, nodding toward the paperwork. “I’ve got some things I need to get through.”

“I can grab us takeout.”

“That’s nice,” I say, keeping my tone even. “But I’ve got leftovers at home.” She opens her mouth, definitely about to push. “Elise.” I stop her, already tired. God, how do I say this without blowing everything up? “I just want to be clear. I’m not interested in getting back together. I hope I haven’t been giving you the wrong idea. I’ve got my business to grow, and the competition. I don’t really have time for a relationship.”

Not that I’d want one with her, but I’m also not into hurting her feelings, despite what she did to me.

Her expression changes. If looks could kill, I’d be a chalk outline.

“Oh,” she says. “But you have time to hook up with Jami?”

My stomach drops.

How the hell does she know that?

Maybe she guessed. Or maybe she sensed it, the same way Devon did. But the anger in her eyes doesn’t make sense.

She cheated on me.

“It’s not⁠—”

“I made a mistake, Brody,” she snaps, cutting me off. Her eyes are bright now, a little wild. “I thought we were past that.”

“We are,” I say firmly. “We’re friends.”

“So this thing with Jami isn’t about making me jealous?” she presses. “Because that’s exactly what it looks like.”

“Jealous?” The word lands wrong. “Is that what you think this is?”

She scoffs. “Come on. Don’t insult me. You went out and found a replica.” Her lips curve, cruel. “Elise 2.0.”