“Not the wedding. Why did you book Forest Lodge?”
“Oh, that—” She didn’t meet his gaze. “I already told you, I had a flurry of bookings and—”
He slid his fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. “Honey, do you think I’m stupid?”
“You think I’m inventing guests?”
“No, but I think you could have chosen to put them somewhere other than Forest Lodge. You know how much Brenna loves that place. She was hurt that you’re making her move, and on the surface it’s a mean thing to do, especially this close to Christmas—”
Kayla winced. “Jackson—”
“—but I know you’re not a mean person, so there has to be something else behind it and given your ‘brilliant idea’ that she moves in with Tyler, I’m assuming the two are linked.”
“It is a brilliant idea. I’m so glad I thought of it.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t think of it two minutes ago. That isn’t how your brain works. You are a master problem solver. You analyze every possible solution. You started that meeting knowing exactly how you wanted it to end. So my question is, why are you trying to throw Tyler and Brenna together?”
Kayla opened her mouth to refute that accusation and then caught his eye. “Because Brenna has been in love with him her whole life, and nothing ever happens. It’s infuriating.”
“You can’t interfere, sweetheart.”
Her face fell. “I feel guilty. We’re so happy. I have you, and Élise has Sean, and Brenna loves Tyler so much, and he’s blind and stupid.”
Jackson closed his hands over her shoulders. “He is neither blind nor stupid. Emotions aren’t as easy to control as you wish they were. You can’t force feelings. They’re either there or they’re not.”
“You’re a man. You don’t understand.”
“I understand more than you think. I grew up consoling women who were in love with Sean.” He smoothed her hair with his hand. “You can’t make one person fall in love with another. That isn’t how it works.”
“I know that!” She scowled at him. “Do you think I wanted to fall in love with you? I didn’t! It derailed all my plans.”
“Yeah, that turned out really badly.” Smiling, he lowered his head and kissed her. When he finally lifted his head, she blinked dizzily and locked her hand in the front of his shirt.
“You always do that when you’re losing an argument.”
“I wasn’t losing anything.”
“What were you saying?”
“I was saying that a person can’t interfere with other people’s love lives. What happens between two people is a personal thing.”
“What if two people are perfect for each other and nothing ever happens?”
“Then maybe it’s not meant to happen. They’ve known each other since Brenna was four years old. If something was going to happen, surely it would have happened by now.”
“It would have done if your brother wasn’t so blind.”
Jackson gathered her against him. “He isn’t blind.”
“Don’t defend him.”
“I’m not defending him. I’m just saying he’s not blind.”
“Then why hasn’t he made a move?”
“It isn’t a conversation I’ve had because I figure it’s his business, not mine.” He eased away from her and gave her a pointed look. “But I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Are you telling me you’ve never thought they’d be perfect together?”