Page 55 of The Work Wife

“Is it ridiculous that I’m actually looking forward to going to work? I mean I had a great time getting married—twice—and seeing my dad was awesome. But I love my job.”

“I understand. I feel the same way. Maybe to normal people it would sound ridiculous, but not to me,” he said. Like most other things they were alike in that way too.

She’d always known they were compatible. It was what made their friendship so strong. It was almost scary.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There was a brief hesitation before they parted. It almost seemed like he was about to say something, but he didn’t. She felt a slight surge of disappointment that he didn’t suggest something else for them to do. She didn’t want to go home yet.

Shaking the thought away, she turned to go. It wasn’t his job to entertain her every second.

At home, she sighed and flopped down on her sofa.

“This sucks.”

* * * *

First thing Monday morning, Wes and Jamie were interrupted from their work by Karen from human resources.

“Hello, happy couple. How was the honeymoon?” she asked.

“We have pictures,” Jamie offered automatically. He hid his wince at her terrible performance. She was so bad at lying. He would have to tutor her or something if they were ever going to pull this off.

“I’ll have to take a look later. I just stopped in to drop off new beneficiary forms. Now that you’re married you’ll want to update them. I know no one likes to think about death, but it happens to all of us. You can give them back to me or use the envelope to mail them directly to the administrator.”

She handed them each a paper and with a wave left the office.

“She’s like the grim reaper in a pair of Louboutins,” Jamie noted.

“She’s right though. Everyone dies, and not normally when they plan to.” His father had dropped dead during his daily run. Wes had never gotten the chance to confront him. Things would always be unresolved between them.

“It’s for our 401Ks.” She held up the papers. “You’re getting the short end of that stick, I’m afraid.”

“Good thing I didn’t marry you for your money.”

She laughed at the joke, but he was happy money hadn’t come into their relationship. Jamie made enough to pay her bills and visit her father. She had a modest car, though most of the time she took the T. She didn’t need much to make her happy.

He smiled, remembering how she’d bought his breakfast the day before.

More people stopped in their office as the day wore on. He watched as Jamie happily showed them the photos from their trip.

“And he staged a second wedding so my dad could be there. Isn’t he the most romantic man ever?” she said, smiling at him.

“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Cindy cooed and patted him, her ultra-flowery perfume making him cough.

They’d pulled it off. Everyone believed their story. Which is why it shouldn’t have been a surprise the next day, when Rob stopped in their office with a big smile on his face.

“Welcome back. Are you two able to come to the retreat in Jamaica? I know you just got married and might not think it’s necessary, but it’s a great way to bond with your partner, and get some sun in the winter.”

“We just got back from our honeymoon,” Jamie pointed out, looking the part of the dedicated worker who wasn’t consumed with the trip to Jamaica. It might have been more convincing if she hadn’t already snatched the packet from the man’s hands.

“Work will be here when you get back. This is important.” He pointed at both of them. “You’ll be together for the rest of your lives. I don’t have to tell the two of you how important it is to have a strong foundation.” No. Both of them knew a structure was only as good as what was holding it up.

“Sure. We’re in,” Wes said.

* * * *

Their plan had worked, but Jamie realized over the next week that the trip was just one of the many perks of being married to Weston. She knew it wasn’t real, but she liked the way he held her hand when they walked through the office. And the way he rested his hand on the small of her back when they left the staff meeting. The casual little things that made it look real.