Page 78 of Big Dill

I swallow, my throat tight. “There’s this little thing called karma…” He angles his head, brow furrowed, and I realize how snarky and sharp that sounded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“It’s okay. She’s hurting.”

And Brody…he’s too kind for words like go to hell. Too decent to just tell her to move on.

“She asked if we could be friends,” he says.

Friends.

Right.

That’s how it all starts. I can’t explain why I don’t trust her. I just don’t. Maybe because Brody is…Brody. A good guy, a great catch, and she probably realizes just how badly she blew it.

“You said…?” I ask, almost breathless.

“I said yes. We can be friends.”

My heart squeezes tight. “What if she wants⁠—”

“She doesn’t,” he cuts me off quickly, his hand cupping the back of my head, pulling me a fraction closer. A gorgeous lumber snack grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”

I plan for a smart assed remark, I open my mouth to say it, but instead I mimic his words from two weeks ago, the last time he really touched me. “So what if I am?”

His eyes darken and I quickly say, “But we’re not doing anything about that.”

“Right, because when we did it was 10/10⁠—”

“On the disgusting scale,” I supply.

“Only reason we’d do it again is because it couldn’t get any worse.”

“Right, but we’re not. Jokes aside, Brody. I just don’t want to see you get hurt. I’m worried about you, that’s all.”

“Aww, I appreciate that Jami.” He takes a small step back. “Even if she did want to get back together. It would only be temporary. She’ll eventually leave.” He frowns, glances down and under his breath whispers. “Everyone leaves.” Eyes back on me he continues, “She’s not made for this town, Jami.”

My heart jumps into my throat.

What I’m not hearing is: even if she did, I’m not interested.

Even if she did, I don’t love her.

Even if she did, long distance wouldn’t work.

But what I am hearing…is: if she were made for this place, we’d be together.

And something in me tightens at that thought, a pull I can’t fully untangle.

Jealous.

But I don’t want long term with Brody so I have no right to feel that.

“Okay,” I croak out, hating the hollow ache in my chest. I have no right to feel it. I’m leaving here in a few months. We both know it. People leave. Brody knows it too—feels it deep in his soul.

Elise left.

Ah, but now she’s back.

“We could always set her up with Liam,” I joke, forcing a laugh to lighten the mood. “Something fun to do to get her mind off her ex.”