Page 113 of The Work Wife

“Me too. Now that we know you’re seaworthy, we can plan a longer trip to see your dad.”

“Yes. But before we plan anything else, there’s something I’d like.”

He smiled and kissed her neck. “I’d like that too,” he said as his hand worked under her shirt.

Now was not the time to let him distract her with sex. Though her body was already quite distracted. “I mean, I want to know what’s bothering you.”

“Nothing is bothering me.”

“Wes, who knows you better than anyone?” she asked.

“You do.” He let out a sigh.

“And when you tell me nothing is bothering you when I know something is bothering you—”

“Yes. Okay. Something is bothering me. But I’m working it out. I’m not ready to talk about it yet.”

She swallowed, surprised her tactic had worked so well.

“It’s not a bad thing, I’m just trying to figure out how to tell you. I need a little more time.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

“Okay? That’s it? You’re not going to hold me down and tickle me until I tell?”

“Not yet. But I reserve the right to revisit that idea at a later date.”

“Fair enough.” He kissed her hair. “Thank you.”

* * * *

Though Wes didn’t spill his big secret, he did seem more himself when they went to work the next day. They worked on the Atlantic Global design until it pleased both of them. It was great to see that their working dynamic had not been affected by their marriage.

The doorbell rang later that evening while Weston was in the bedroom changing from his work clothes.

Jamie opened the door to see a well-dressed older woman staring at her. While Jamie smiled in greeting, the other woman glared and pushed her way inside.

“Can I help you?” Jamie said in surprise.

“Is Weston Archer here?”

“Yes.”

“And you live with him?” The woman’s tone was sharp enough to cut.

“Yes. I’m his wife.” This woman was much too old to also be Weston’s wife. Though she seemed to be personally affronted.

“I can’t believe he did this,” she snapped, her blue eyes piercing.

“Mother?” Weston choked as he came into the room. “What are you doing here?”

The woman turned on him, and Jamie stepped behind Weston in case she needed protection.

“I’ve been calling and you haven’t answered.”

Jamie hadn’t heard his phone ring, so she wondered if he had blocked his own mother.

“I wanted to see if it was true. You’ve married someone and not even told me? How could you do this?” She looked down at Jamie’s hand and gasped. “And you gave her your grandmother’s diamond? Are you crazy?”