Page 21 of The Work Wife

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Jamie walked into her apartment that night and went straight for the shower. It was the place she went if there was any possibility she might cry. And tonight she just might.

At this very moment, Wes was deciding their fate.

She’d blurted out the idea without giving it enough thought and already she was wavering. If he came in the next day saying yes, she would have to tell him she was wrong. Telling Wes she was wrong about anything was to be avoided at all costs. The last time she’d said she was wrong he’d asked her to repeat it three times.

Wrongness on this level would probably require a billboard-size declaration.

Maybe he wouldn’t say yes.

Of course he wouldn’t say yes. He was hung up on the love part, and he was much more responsible than she was. He would stop this from happening.

It was a stupid idea, a testament to her desperation to achieve the approval of her boss through a silly title. She’d always been a pleaser.

The rest of her shower she tried to convince herself it was fine, but when she wiped the condensation from the mirror and looked at herself, she knew she would never be satisfied with second place. She would have to find another way. She couldn’t marry Wes.

She’d never shared anything with a friend like the close bond she had with Wes, but still, friendship was different than a marital union between two lovers. They’d never even kissed. They’d only ever hugged that one time, and that had been under false pretenses.

By the time she dried off, dressed, and made dinner she was much better. She would go to work tomorrow and Wes would say no. He would explain all the reasons why it was a bad idea and she would reluctantly but happily agree.

And things would go back to the way they were.

She called her father to set up a trip the week after next. After this plan went south, she would need to go south as well, to lick her wounds in private.

“Don’t think for one moment I don’t know you’re coming down here to get away from that Boston winter rather than to see me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I miss you.” She did miss her father. She’d tried to get him to Skype or Facetime, to no avail. He hated technology and wasn’t big on talking on the phone. She’d managed to get him to text, but it had been a challenge.

“I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

“I can take a cab. What if my flight’s delayed?”

“You’re not spending your money on a cab when I have a car and can drive to the airport.”

“Dad, I make good money.”

“You still don’t need to waste it on a cab.”

“Fine, Dad. You pick me up. I’ll text you when I land.” There was some grumbling before he changed the subject.

“Are you dating anyone?” he asked.

“No.” But I did propose marriage to my co-worker this morning as a way to get close to a client. It was a good thing Wes was going to turn her down.

What would she tell her father?

She went to sleep easily that night, knowing Wes would do the right thing and save them from her stupidity.

* * * *

He could feel Jamie’s gaze on him the moment he walked into the office. He took her coffee over and placed it on her desk, expecting her to pounce.

She didn’t and he couldn’t fathom her expression. She looked equal parts nervous, defiant, and terrified.

“Well?” she said as quiet as a whisper.

“I’m not sure. I tried to come up with a definitive answer, but I ended up with a huge list of questions.”