Page 52 of Big Dill

“Well, if you ever want to mix things up, I’ll give you my number,” Liam adds.

“Well, isn’t that lovely,” Lori says, and the conversation drifts to the upcoming pickleball competition. Forks clatter against plates, gravy drips get wiped up, the soft scrape of knives against bowls. During it all, I can feel Brody’s gaze lingering on me.

What is going on with him?

When the last plate is cleared, Lori and Verna carry them toward the kitchen. Sadie glances around the table. “Who’s ready for pie?” she asks. “I’ve got coconut cream and apple.”

“I’m always ready for your pie and I want a slice of each.” Jaxon jokes.

“Great.” She waves her hand. “Come help me with it.”

Brody rises along with him, looking pissed about something. “I’ll help too.”

As they step into the kitchen, my brother leans toward Brody, voice low. “What the hell, dude…?”

Yeah… that’s exactly what I want to know too…

12

Brody

I close the truck door as Jaxon eases us in reverse down the driveway. Jami’s thigh brushes mine, and she hugs herself, shivering. “I’m frozen.”

I crank the heat a little higher and lean toward her. “Here,” I offer, letting her share my warmth.

“Dinner was great,” she says, voice soft. “I really like your family.”

“Yeah.” I stare straight ahead, pretending not to notice the way her warmth seeps into me. Jaxon flicks on the turn signal.

“Liam,” she begins, and my stomach twists. The sound of his name feels like sandpaper.

Dude, get it together. You’re acting like a jealous asshole.

“You weren’t kidding when you said your family would be all up in my business.”

“Nope, wasn’t kidding.”

“Except they skipped the interrogation and went straight to setting me up. I guess they got all the information they needed about me from Mr. Cheeseman. I’m surprised they didn’t offer me a toothbrush with softer bristles.” She laughs and adds, “Instead they offered me up a veterinarian who rescues puppies.”

“I’m glad you didn’t get the interrogation,” Jaxon chimes in, mock shivering. “I don’t recommend it. 0/10.”

Jami leans toward him, nudging his shoulder with hers. “So after your interrogation, they thought Rachel would be a good match?”

“She’s sweet,” he tells her, non-committal. He casts Jami a fast glance. “Did you like Liam?”

She snorts and throws up her gloved hands. “What’s not to like?”

What’s not to like.

I try to shut down that whiny voice in my head. Christ, I sound like a jealous toddler.

Jaxon leans past his sister, locking eyes with me. “What’s not to like? I think that’s a good question to ask Brody.”

Fuck.

She glances at me. “So… what’s your deal with Liam? You seem… weird about him.”

I exhale slowly. “He rubs me the wrong way,” is all I offer.