Page 47 of Big Dill

I lean in, feeling sorry for Jaxon, but at least she’s leaving Jami, and me alone. “Ma, you can’t⁠—”

Before I can finish, the front door swings open again. “Ah, that would be Liam,” Ma says cheerfully.

“Who the hell is Liam?” I mutter. The only Liam I know is Liam Walsh, big city veterinarian, probably lives in a modern loft with a rescue retriever. The perfect companion dog to a guy who’s always been perfect. I don’t hate him. He’s a nice guy who does nice things. A guy who excelled in school, in sports and in life in general. Everyone loved Liam Walsh.

Ma shakes her head. “By God, you’re dense today. You don’t remember Liam Walsh? James’s aunt’s nephew’s boy? Back in town to take over his father’s business. Single. Heard he just rescued a puppy.” She nudges me as footsteps draw closer. “Perfect man for Jami.”

So much for her leaving Jami alone tonight.

I turn just in time to see Liam walk into the kitchen. But it’s not just a walk. He commands the room. Every head swivels, even Jami’s, likely because he looks like he just stepped off the cover of a charity calendar.

And he’s holding a puppy.

The cutest.

Mother.

Fucking.

Puppy.

I’ve ever set eyes on.

And it’s a rescue.

I shouldn’t feel anything—especially jealousy—toward Mr. Hot Veterinarian (yes, I can admit that) whose good looks could have an animal (or human) in dream land faster than any anesthetics.

But I do.

And I’m really worried everyone in the room knows it.

11

Jami

“OMG, a puppy.”

I’m on the floor before my brain catches up, my knees hitting the tile as he sets the little ball of fluff down. She’s all oversized paws and soft fur, her ears still undecided about which direction they belong.

“What’s her name?” I ask, because at the moment I can’t tell much else. At least I think it’s a female.

“This is Bella. Bella, this is⁠—”

He squats, and the clean, woodsy bite of his cologne slips into my lungs. Blue eyes meet mine, warm and open.

“Jami,” I say. “I’m Jaxon’s sister, and Brody’s… friend.”

Friend feels right. Safe. Accurate adjacent.

Still, from the corner of my eye, I catch Brody stiffen. He shoves his hands into his pockets like he’s bracing himself for something. I hadn’t expected that. Surely he didn’t think I’d call him anything else. So why does it feel like I’ve said the wrong thing?

“Well,” Liam says lightly, scratching behind Bella’s ear, his hand brushing mine, “Jaxon’s sister and Brody’s friend, Bella here is a rescue.”

Bella promptly crawls into my lap, circles once, and settles like she’s known me longer than five seconds.

“She likes you,” Liam says, grinning.

I swear I hear Brody mutter something under his breath.