“Why was it strange?”
She shrugged. “Just was.”
She prayed he wouldn’t ask questions beyond that and sighed in relief when he didn’t.
Mia set her items down on her kitchen table before following Jackson outside to his truck. They rode the short distance to the resort and went inside to the already packed bar.
“I don’t think we’ll get a seat,” she said.
“Yes, we will. My brothers are joining us and saved us seats.”
She raised her eyebrows. Jackson’s brothers rarely joined them for trivia. And if they did, it was usually only one, never all at once. Noah waved at them from a table toward the back. Mia and Jackson walked over and took the empty seats around the table. She sat between Jackson and Ethan, with Noah, Noah’s girlfriend Jessa, and Miles across from them.
“Hey, everyone,” Mia said. “Long time, no see.”
She couldn’t refrain from the sarcasm dripping from her voice, but Jackson didn’t seem to notice.
Jessa smiled. “It’s good to see you again, Mia. I heard you’re coming to family dinner on Sunday?”
Mia looked at Jackson. “I am?”
It wasn’t abnormal for Mia to join them, but she usually only did when directly invited. Despite growing up with the Blakes and practically being a member of the family in all ways except officially, she always wanted to give them their time together without constantly tagging along.
Jackson nodded. “Mom invited you.”
Mia looked back at Jessa. “I guess I am.”
Dixie, the bartender, stood up on a stool with a microphone. “Hey all! Welcome to trivia night!”
The crowd cheered. Dixie explained the rules and how it would work. Mia tuned it out, having been to most of the trivia nights with Jackson. The two of them were pros and worked well together.
Her eyes wandered over the Blake brothers, and she wondered what trick was up their sleeves. Noah caught her eye from across the table and winked. She narrowed her eyes in question, but he only smiled brightly in response.
Definitely up to something.
Trivia got underway, and the group worked together to answer the questions. Between the six of them, it was pretty easy to come up with answers. They hadn’t missed a single question yet. During a break, Jackson stood.
“Anyone want a refill?”
The group nodded, so he made his way to the bar to get another pitcher of beer. Mia picked up her glass and took a sip as her eyes strayed to Miles, who was looking at his brothers with a brow raised. She looked at the others. They were communicating with each other.
Ethan glanced over and smiled before hiding it behind his hand.
“What are you guys up to?” she asked.
“We told you. We’re meddling,” Ethan said.
“Does he know?”
“Of course not. Otherwise it wouldn’t work.”
“What wouldn’t work?”
But Mia’s question wasn’t answered since Jimmy, a good-looking local who was friends with Ethan, approached the table.
“Hey, Mia,” Jimmy said. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the back of Jackson’s empty chair. “How are you doing?”
She furrowed her brows. It wasn’t uncommon for other locals to say “Hi,” but for him to say it to her and not the others at the table was odd. Especially since his best friend was sitting right beside her.
