Page 133 of The Work Wife

Annabelle couldn’t help but snicker. He was indeed lowered before her. He’d even taken her hand in his.

“Annabelle, can you ever forgive me for jumping to conclusions? I should have known better. I won’t ever make a mistake like that again. I’m so sor—”

“Enough of this,” his mother interrupted, and Annabelle leveled a glare at the woman. She’d had enough of this bossy lady who didn’t respect her son or the person who worked for him.

“Mrs. Archer, Weston is not in today, and you do not have an appointment. I have your number and I can contact you when I have his schedule.”

The woman sucked in air through her puckered lips and narrowed her eyes. “You can consider yourself unemployed. No one speaks to me like that in my company.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Ben stood and turned on his mother.

“First, this is not your company. It is Weston’s company. After what you’ve done to Weston, I would be running if I were you. Not only have you committed fraud, but you’ve come between Weston and the woman he loves. I’ll be damned if I’ll stand here and allow you to do the same thing to me. Now get out. Or I’ll call someone to escort you out. Either way, you’re done here.”

It was the first time Annabelle had seen Mrs. Archer speechless. When she opened her mouth to rebut, Ben cut her off with a sharp, “Out.”

He even pointed in case she didn’t remember where the door was.

When she was gone, Ben returned to his position by her side and looked up at Annabelle, as calm as ever.

“Where was I? Oh, right. Apologizing for being a complete dick.”

She chuckled as her mind replayed something he’d said to his mother.

Had he just implied that he was in love with her?

She swallowed and nodded. “I forgive you,” she said.

“Honestly?”

“Yes. Don’t try to talk me out of it.” She laughed at his shocked expression. Was it so hard for him to figure out that maybe she loved him too? Maybe she needed to tell him. Or show him.

“Thank you.” He leaned closer but held back.

She didn’t.

She reached for him and kissed him, happy to have everything resolved.

When they’d gone as far as was possible in his brother’s office, she pulled away and looked into his eyes. Something serious lingered there, and for a moment she thought he was going to beg her for forgiveness yet again.

“I love you,” he said instead.

She nodded and smiled. “I love you too.”

Chapter 25

When Wes couldn’t get on a flight, he did something extreme. He readied the company jet. It was a ridiculous expense. Something his father had purchased. As soon as Wes was done using it to save his marriage, he would be selling it to reduce costs.

As he waited for the plane to arrive he called Jamie again and, as expected, got no answer.

With a sigh of determination, he dialed someone who might be able to help.

“Let me guess,” her father answered. “You’ve made a terrible mistake.”

“Yes. I trusted my mother and she tricked me into ending my marriage.”

“This I’ve got to hear.” Mr. Witmer chuckled, but without any real humor. Wes knew he wouldn’t find anything funny if Jamie was upset.

“I’ll be happy to tell you all about it when I get there.”