Page 91 of The Work Wife

He already knew this was not his best decision. But he also knew this was the most alive he’d felt in years. Or maybe his entire life.

* * * *

Wes lay next to Jamie, staring at the ceiling of their cottage, trying to come up with an exit strategy. He’d signed on for this trip as something to do to keep him from spending more time alone and to help them get to Team One. But now it was all about being with Jamie. He was happy. Truly happy.

The problem was, they would be leaving in a couple of days to go back to their normal lives.

His normal life sucked. He wanted this instead. Even though it wasn’t real.

Jamie let out a breath and then sat up in bed. Several seconds later she threw her legs off the side of the bed and stood. He assumed she was going to the bathroom, but she walked toward the French doors instead.

When she opened the door and went outside while muttering something about clothes in the dryer, he realized what was happening. He jumped up to follow her.

Jamie was sleepwalking and heading toward a large body of water.

“Jamie? Where are you going?”

“I need to find Wes.”

“I’m right here. You found me.”

“Oh. I’m sorry I made you worry,” she said. He turned her toward the moonlight to see if she was still sleeping. She appeared to be; her eyes weren’t focused on him.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I always make you worry.”

“You don’t do it on purpose.”

“I think I do.” Her voice was slurred, as if she was too tired to speak clearly.

“Why do you think that?”

“I like that Wes cares about me.” Her shoulders fell, as if this admission was too heavy to carry any longer. She was back to talking about him instead of to him.

She walked off again, muttering, and he followed behind her to make sure she was okay.

She abruptly turned to face him and stopped walking.

“Jamie?” He kept his voice low so as not to startle her awake. He waited a second longer, debating whether or not to push her. “Do you love Wes?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him. It was an important question, since he realized during his late-night evaluation that he was totally crushing on his wife. Was he in love with her? He couldn’t be sure, but he knew he felt something more than just friendship.

“He’s a good kisser,” she said before she turned to walk away again. While he’d wished for more, he was pleased she liked kissing him. He sure liked kissing her. And not just the big kisses, but the little casual kisses that people in committed relationships shared.

“Come on, Jamie. Let’s go back to bed,” he urged.

“Okay,” she agreed as he put his arm around her and led her back to their cottage. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead.

As he was walking around the bed to get in on his side, he heard her sigh and then she said, “I love him.”

Or that’s what he thought she’d said. Hell, she might have just been mumbling again and he’d heard what he wanted to hear. Even if she had said it, it didn’t mean she meant it. She was sleeping.

Sleep conversations didn’t count.

He pulled her against him and closed his eyes.

* * * *

The goal-setting workshop was scheduled for after breakfast. It was the workshop Jamie was really looking forward to. She had issues with goals. And while she wouldn’t be using the skills for marital goals, she assumed learning how to set and meet goals would be the same whether they were romantic, business, or personal goals.