She’s the total opposite of Jade. She bursts into a room like fireworks on the Fourth of July, bright, loud, and impossible to ignore.
But Jade? She’s quiet as a graveyard at midnight, and cold enough to freeze the air between us.
“Our sister married your brother and the feud between our families has ended.” There’s that bubbly chirp in Josie’s tone. “Now Jade’s gotta rethink every decision when it comes to your family.”
Jade lets out a sharp sigh and faces the front like I’m not even here. “Hardly. The Wildes aren’t even on my radar.”
Lie. But no shock. She’d never admit that I live rent-free in that little head of hers. And I’d never admit she resides in mine.
She’s not clueless. She’s deliberate. She knows how to twist the story just right, whisperin’ bedroom lies about me, and dragging my name through the mud—and the sheets.
She’s got half the town thinkin’ I’m into kinky God-knows-what in bed, and the other half too polite to look me in the eye.
“That explains how you manage to claim all the credit.” I fold my arms over my chest and lean back in the rickety fold-up chair, threatening it to buckle under me.
“Believe me, the last thing I want is credit for anything that involves you.” She taps her pen against the clipboard, a nervous rhythm that doesn’t quite match her confident words.
“And yet, here we are.” I gesture around the meeting room, packed with folding chairs and judgmental stares. “You presenting our project while I show up late, lookin’ like an afterthought.”
She flips a page on her clipboard and starts jotting something down. I swear that thing is attached to her hip. She doesn’t do a damn thing without it. I’d bet it has her whole boring, workaholic life scribbled in there.
But who am I to talk? I work more than not and would never leave the ranch if it were my decision.
“You were an afterthought.” She says it so damn casually.
I sink my fingertips into the fabric of my button-down, my arms rigid. “Right. Because nothing says teamwork like strategic exclusion.”
Her pen stops moving. She turns her head and meets my gaze with that familiar fire lighting up behind her eyes.
“If you’d been half as committed during the actual work, maybe I’d have thought to include you for the finale.” She sounds like such a stuck-up, textbook, know-it-all.
And it grinds me to the bone.
“And if you weren’t so obsessed with control, maybe I wouldn’t have had to crash my own damn project meeting.” My voice is clipped.
Our knees bump.
Neither of us moves.
Neither of us breathes.
The mayor clears his throat into the microphone. “Thank you both for joining us.” His tone is sharp as he looks at Jade and me.
Yeah, I catch the dig. He saw me stroll in late. And I’m sure she’s loving every second of it.
“Let’s begin the final discussion on the Fox and Wilde shared sponsorship for the regional rodeo.”
Shared. Even he knows. Shame no one got through to her. Not that it would’ve made a difference.
Jade straightens the papers on her beloved clipboard and stands. “Thank you for having me. I’m proud to represent The Fox Lodge Dude Ranch, and we’re truly excited to be an event sponsor.”
She doesn’t even acknowledge me or my family. I stare forward, seething, but damn if we didn’t build the best damn sponsorship this town’s seen in years,together.
So I rise to my feet and lift off my Stetson. The brim is cool against my fingertips. I rake my hand through my hair, the strands still damp from my quick shower.
“I’d also like to extend a thank you,” I say. “I’m proud to represent the Wilde Ranch, which has been in my family for generations.”
My arm bumps her.
