“Why haven’t you given the colonel an answer yet?” she asked quietly.
Jake stiffened. “Because I haven’t made up my mind yet.” He paused for a beat. “But I did make up my mind about something else. I want to keep seeing you, Bree. Even after you leave on Sunday.”
She faltered. “How will that work?”
“If I take the job, I’ll be thirty minutes from Denver. If I decide to stay in Paradise, I’ll be an hour away. Either way, we can commute, or I’ll commute, if you’re not up for the drive.”
Her breath hitched. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Because I like being with you.” He sighed. “I’m starting to think I was a real idiot back then. I wish we’d spent as much time out of bed as we did in it.”
“It wouldn’t have changed anything,” she said with an answering sigh. “We would have said goodbye eventually. You were set on the army, I was set on law school.”
“Do you truly like it? Being a lawyer?”
“You know, nobody’s ever asked me that,” she confessed, feeling dismayed.
“Well, do you?”
She pursed her lips. “Yes. I do. I love it, actually. My parents might have encouraged me—okay, browbeat me—into the field, but I would’ve chosen it on my own. Everyone thinks it’s about the money, but for me, it’s not. I like knowing that I’m making a difference, fighting for people who can’t do it alone. Like this latest case I’m working on.”
“Representing the widow of the man who died from that blood pressure drug?”
Anger jolted through her. “Because the pharmaceutical company didn’t bother disclosing the fatal side effects. Their only concern was fast-tracking the drug to get it on the market as soon as possible. Bert Smithson died because a bunch of greedy executives were more concerned with making money fast rather than taking the time to produce a safe product.”
Jake cocked his head. “And it isn’t greed that compelled the widow to sue?”
“No,” she said firmly. “Mrs. Smithson doesn’t care about the money. She’s already pledged to donate any punitive damages she’s awarded to Denver General’s cardiology department. She’s suing to send a message. If the company is forced to shell out big bucks this time, then they’ll think twice before screwing anyone else over again.” Bree let out a rushed breath. “Sorry. I tend to get passionate about my cases.”
“I’ve noticed,” he said with a chuckle.
“But we’re getting off-topic here.” She swallowed. “I can’t see how this will work once I leave Paradise. Relationships can be hard work, Jake.”
“I know that,” he said gruffly.
“And I can’t have a half-assed relationship either.” She sat up, shoving a strand of hair out of her eyes. “If we keep seeing each other, you need to be fully invested. Open, honest. Communicate instead of shutting down. And…” She hesitated.
“And what?”
“And I would want us to get to know each other’s families.”
He blanched.
Bree bristled. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. I know my parents aren’t your favorite people, but if we’re together, I’d expect you to make an effort. Same way I made an effort with your mother. If you and I start dating, you bet your ass I’d keep in touch with Della, and your brothers, too. Hell, I reached out to Austin the other day, and I barely know him.”
Jake looked surprised. “You spoke to Austin?”
“Right after that disastrous lunch,” she confessed. She didn’t mention that Austin had yet to take her up on her offer to talk, but she knew he hadn’t spoken to Jake or Owen either, so she didn’t feel insulted.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I did it anyway. And if you’re serious about seeing where this thing between us goes, you’re going to have to suck it up and play nice with my family.”
The vulnerability that flickered in his silver eyes floored her. “Your folks despise me, Bree. They despise my whole family.” He made a disgruntled sound. “They think me and my brothers are cut from the same cloth as my asshole father.”
“Then change their minds,” she said breezily.
“While they try to change yours,” he countered, sliding up into a sitting position. He dragged one hand over his close-cropped hair. “They won’t approve of us dating, Bree. They’ll poison your mind, tell you how you can do better, bitch that I’m not wealthy.”
“So? They can say whatever they want—doesn’t mean I’ll believe them. I don’t care that you’re not rich, Jake. I don’t care if you accept the instructor job, or decide to work construction with Owen instead. I’ll support whatever you choose to do. As long as it makes you happy, I’m happy.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Jesus. You really are the sweetest person I’ve ever met.”