Page 64 of The Work Wife

“Really?” She looked to Wes, who wouldn’t sugarcoat it.

“Much better. No crunch.”

“I went with your suggestion to use sauce from a jar instead of making my own.”

“Good call,” her dad said with an emphatic nod. Obviously her sauce had been a weak link in the recipe.

She smiled proudly when both men took seconds. Wes had made the salad while her father chatted from his perch at the bar. It had felt real.

Watching her father and husband joke together warmed her heart. It was something she’d never thought to wish for. Anytime she’d ever thought of having a husband, she always assumed her father would hate the guy and she would forever be the referee between them.

It wasn’t the case for Wes and her dad. They were actually getting along.

When dinner was over, Wes insisted on doing the dishes himself so she could have some time with her dad alone.

It was the look he gave her when he made the suggestion that ruined her perfect moment. His eyes were filled with compassion and something else. Pity maybe?

Her suspicions rose even more when Wes didn’t come to bed after she’d announced it was getting late. Instead he’d pulled out a bottle of Jameson and two tumblers and sat with her father. He stayed up talking with her dad until after she’d fallen asleep. He’d slipped into bed next to her very late, smelling of toothpaste and whiskey.

She didn’t have a chance to talk to Wes alone on Sunday either. He was busy making them breakfast, and then it was time to take her father to the airport.

Every minute that passed, she could feel the unspoken thing between them getting bigger and bigger.

When they pulled up to the passenger drop-off area, Wes busied himself getting her father’s suitcase from the back of the car.

“Thank you for coming up,” she said.

“Thanks for giving up your weekend.”

“Anytime.”

“I love you, princess.”

“I love you too.” She hugged him and noticed he held her a little longer and a little tighter than normal.

Wes popped up the handle on her father’s suitcase and rolled it over. They didn’t have time for a big chat. Why hadn’t she forced them to tell her what was going on last night?

Because you didn’t want to know.

Wes shook her father’s hand and they shared a look she didn’t understand.

“Have fun in Jamaica. Take pictures. I want to hear all about it when you get home,” her father said.

“We will. Have a safe trip home. Text me when you get there,” Jamie ordered.

“Yes. Yes, I will.” He paused before he came back and hugged her again. “I’m proud of you, Jamie. Your lasagna was really good.”

“Thank you.” Tears welled up in her eyes as they looked at each other, both knowing they weren’t discussing her cooking.

“Wes. Thank you.” Her father gave him a nod and then a quick manly hug before he rushed off into the airport.

She felt Wes’s arms around her as the tears flowed down her cheeks.

“The cancer’s back,” she whispered into his coat. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

Chapter 12