Jackson frowned down at his food again. The conversation continued around him, but he just pushed the food around his plate, ignoring it.
“Uncle Jackson! Earth to Jackson,” Emma said.
He looked up and saw everyone staring at him. Mia was no longer beside him, and he glanced around.
“She went to the bathroom,” Jessa said.
“What’s going on with you?” Karen asked.
“What do you mean?” Jackson asked.
“You seem cranky.”
“Am not.”
“I think somebody is grumpy he isn’t the one dating Mia,” Noah said.
Jackson rolled his eyes. “We’re just friends.”
James snorted, and all eyes turned to him. Their dad had always been the quiet type. He made conversation, but rarely inserted himself into their personal matters unless he felt it was necessary.
“What?” Jackson asked.
“Son, you’re lying to yourself. You should think long and hard about whether that’s true, or you just may regret it someday,” James said.
Jackson’s eyebrows raised. His family always gave him shit about Mia, his dad excluded, so he was surprised he said something this time.
Before he could reply, Mia came back into the room and sat down at the table. She looked around at everyone.
“Did I miss something?” she asked.
“Nothing at all, honey,” Karen said. “Everyone ready for dessert?”
