Page 94 of One Lucky Cowboy

“He’s good, thanks. Kid’s resilient. I caught him on his crutches halfway to the barn when I went to shower yesterday.”

“Oh my. Well, I’m glad he’s doing well enough to be up.”

What else should she add? I love you? I miss you and wish I’d just let you spend that time with your son instead of greedily claiming all your time?

“Do you want to come in?” she asked instead.

“Thanks.” He sat on the couch beside Maggie.

Jill sat across from them, sliding her hands beneath her thighs so they didn’t shake.

“Before you both say anything,” she started, because her imagination was going wild with why they’d both be there without Bennett.

The two got along but more as siblings who teased each other than friends or colleagues. She brought out both wrapped gifts, unsure now if they were too small a gesture.

In light of the two most important people sitting in front of her, they seemed trite. “I just want to apologize—”

“No. Don’t. That’s not why we’re here,” Maggie said.

“Then why are you?” Trepidation rolled across her skin like a tsunami.

Maggie glanced at Jax, and Jill saw something pass between them. A question.

“I’ve sold the house,” Maggie said.

Okay, not a question. A gavel, a drop of the hammer.

“Got it. Okay.” Jill rubbed the tops of her legs. They’d gotten cold in the past few seconds.

“And I’m letting go of the company.”

Jill could barely draw in breath. She swallowed three times to keep the tears at bay. She’d made a mistake, and these were the consequences.

“Um, when do I have to be out?”

Of the house and the dream I’ve built myself. Maybe the new owners of Henley Apparel would take her on. It wasn’t the perfect job, but it was a job, which was better than what she had at the moment.

Which was to say nothing.

No home, no friend, no kissing friend. Jill Henley had gotten greedy, and in her gamble to turn a good life into a great one, she’d lost to the house.

“Well, that depends,” Jax said.

He glanced at Maggie again, who got out her phone. To call the new owner?

Jill never found out, because suddenly, Jax was sitting on the arm of her rocker and her hands were in his. They still shook, but the heat passing between them at least warmed her skin that was frigid with fear.

He didn’t need to be this nice to her; she could handle the harsh truth without his comfort.

“Jill, I’ve got to say, I didn’t see you coming.” She frowned, but he continued. “One day I was happy as a single guy looking for the next adventure, then you were there, offering me the greatest adventure of my life. Being your colleague was nice—though if I never hear you say the words collate or amortize again, that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

She laughed uncertainly. What did this have to do with anything?

“Then we became friends.”

“Kissing friends,” she interrupted.

He chuckled. “You’re right. We didn’t really have a normal friendship, did we? Well, that phase was trickier for me because it opened a door I didn’t know was shut until I met you. I thought I didn’t want what my childhood couldn’t give me. A family, a stable job, and a place to call home. You made me want it all.”

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