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“Um, thanks?”

He chuckled, but the embarrassment flashed on her own cheeks. That was rude of her, no matter how aggravating Jax was.

“Sorry. That’s not what I meant. It’s just—I’m trying to help Maggie and her company, and you’re trying your hardest to get out of helping Bennett save his. Our goals aren’t exactly mutually inclusive.”

“Sure, I get it. I’m the footloose guy and you’re the company girl. We’re pretty damn different.”

“Yeah, right. Something like that.” Was that true, though? Was she the stick-in-the mud he made her out to be? Most days, yes—that was the price of chasing a dream, wasn’t it? But that wasn’t all she was, or all she wanted. “Anyway, my point is, if I’m being honest, I find you attractive, in the physical sense, anyway.”

“Again, your praise is overwhelming. I hope you’re nicer to Maggie or I’ll have to reevaluate how much I like her based on her taste in friends.”

Jill was usually pretty eloquent. With her upbringing and debate team championship, it was part of her genetics. So why did every word out of her mouth make her wish the earth would swallow her whole when she was around Jax?

“I’m just saying. No matter what, our differences can only lead to one conclusion. We can work together, and that’s it.” A pause filled the space between them. “But I did have a good time with you the other night.”

“Even though I’m me, as you put it?”

“Even though.” She smiled and offered him a piece of bread which he popped in his mouth. She took one for herself, too.

“Hey, Henley, multiple choice.”

“Huh?” Confusion mixed with the salty dough in her mouth.

“What would a dream day off look like for you? A bubble bath and glass of wine, an all-expenses-paid shopping excursion in the big city, or a camping trip with some pretty stellar views of the Mississippi?”

“Frankly, I don’t see why, as a woman in charge of her own life, I’d have to choose just one. There’s plenty of room in my life for all three.”

“Nope, you gotta pick one.”

“Like I said, all three. They all sound delightful, but I already enjoy my days off as I have them.”

“So, you’re saying you take breaks, make time for self-care and all that hippy stuff social media’s always on about?”

No, I don’t. She tended to work seven days a week, but she’d never let him in on that.

“I’m fine, thanks. And if I had to choose, I guess I’d say the bubble bath after a long day at work.”

That actually sounded good at that moment.

“Good answer. Because I don’t want my partner the next four weeks to burn out before we get going. Make that time for yourself, okay?”

She searched his face for a hint of sarcasm or mirth, but there was only a genuine smile.

She nodded. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Anyway,” he said, sliding into the seat Mae had just abdicated. “I’ve been thinking about the job you gave up at Henley.”

“And?” Frustration scratched across her skin like a rough wool blanket.

Why was her heritage always in play with everyone but her? She’d thought quitting meant she could finally be free of it. But maybe she never would.

“And they’re in the rodeo world. They run the rodeo world in Texas, actually.”

“I still fail to see the point you’re making,” she said.

That wasn’t entirely true. It was the same point her parents made every week around this time. Hopefully not anymore, though.

“I’m just saying, for me that would be a no-brainer. A company handed down to me doing something I valued, where I could presumably travel and be a part of the world I loved… But for you that must have been crazy pressure to walk away from a sure thing and pursue what you want.”