Page 119 of The Work Wife

“I’m sorry, but it’s how I know you and this girl are not going to last. She’s not going to be able to be second either.”

“I don’t want her to be second. I would never cheat on her. Never.”

“It’s easy to say that now, when it’s new and you’re in love.” Wes twitched at the word and his mother noticed. She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t love her?”

He let out a breath, along with the whole story. He wanted her to see how seriously he took commitment. Even if it hadn’t started out as a real marriage, he was damn well going to be faithful.

“It started out as just a way to schmooze a possible client, but now it’s become something real. I’m not sure if it’s love, but I know she’s important to me.”

“Important enough to get your estate if something happens to you?”

“Yes. That important. If you’re still trying to get me to change the beneficiary on my accounts, you’re wasting your time.”

“What about a post-nuptial? Just to make sure she doesn’t leave with half of everything that is yours.”

Weston shook his head. “No.”

“You’ve already admitted that you might not love her.”

“I’m not sure yet. But I am sure that I want her to be taken care of.” He had always known he loved her in that way, at the least.

“If you’re using this as some kind of incentive to make it work, there are better ways.”

“I’m not. I know you think I rushed into this, and admittedly the wedding was a bit rash. But I’ve known her for five years, we have a connection that is stronger than many marriages. I know we can do this. I want it to work.”

“Okay.” She held up her hands in a backing-off gesture. He was a little stunned that she’d given up so easily.

“I’d like you to give Jamie a chance. You’ll have to apologize.” He would not back down on this. She’d been incredibly rude and he knew it hurt Jamie that he hadn’t defended her. He needed to do better.

“Apologize?” His mother looked like she’s swallowed a bug. He’d never seen her apologize to anyone in his life.

“You called her a harlot.”

“I may have misjudged.”

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be sitting in this office right now.”

“Fine. I’ll reach out and amend my earlier comment.”

While she hadn’t actually agreed to give a formal apology, it was the most he could hope for. “Thank you.”

“Why didn’t she come with you to New York?” his mother asked with a smug expression.

“She’s giving me space to decide what is right for me.”

“Hmm,” his mother said, and left him to his piles of work.

He didn’t expect her to understand what a big deal this was. How could someone who was willing to stay married for the sake of money and power understand how it felt to have someone back him up when he was uncertain about where he wanted to go? To know she would stick by him, no matter what he decided.

He almost felt sorry for the woman, except she’d made a choice to stay. She’d sacrificed happiness for money, and he had no respect for her decision.

* * * *

Ben peeked in his father’s old office and smiled at the sight of Wes sitting behind the desk. “You’re working,” he said as he went in.

“Yes. Though I have to say I could have finished some of these projects myself if I didn’t have to spend so much time assigning projects to everyone. It feels like quicksand.”

“Welcome to management.” Ben held out his hands as he took in the office. “It looks nice in here.”