Page 72 of The Work Wife

“First thing. Where did you grow up?”

“Where did who grow up? Who am I researching?”

“Yourself.”

“Oh. I—uh . . .” She didn’t need to research. She knew the answer. “Michigan.”

“The cold weather here doesn’t bother you?”

“If you ever get cold weather here, I’ll let you know,” she joked, causing him to laugh.

“Your family?” He leaned closer and laced his fingers together on the table.

Her story was not that riveting. “Mom, dad, and two younger brothers. They all still live in Michigan.” They all still asked her to come home every time they spoke.

“What were you escaping when you moved here?”

“Who says I was escaping? Maybe I was searching for something.” She leaned forward and matched his pose.

“Did you find it?” His gaze dipped down to her mouth for a second before refocusing on her eyes.

“I’m working on it.”

“What is it? Maybe I could help.”

She was spared from answering that question when their food arrived. She managed to keep the conversation away from her personal life the rest of the lunch. Fortunately he was called back to the office by his uncle, so their time was cut short.

Anna caught herself smiling throughout the rest of the afternoon. He’d finally noticed her.

Now what was she going to do?

* * * *

Ben felt like the salivating cartoon wolf eyeing up the little lamb. It was as if someone had taken the boring assistant he’d had for the last two years and replaced her with this mysterious woman with hidden treasures.

One of those treasures he was noticing now, as she bent over his filing cabinet to water a plant he didn’t realize he even had in his office. Her skirt was fitted, so bending over caused the fabric to suck up against her.

The lack of panty lines meant she either wasn’t wearing any or it was a thong. Either one would work for his fantasy.

Not all of her treasures were physical. She was funny. He never knew that. She had a quick wit and dry sarcasm that amused him. She was a hard worker, but that was something he’d known for a while. She rarely took time off and always stayed late if he needed her.

Had he thanked her properly before? Sure, he’d signed off on wage increases. He’d checked the box, marking her better than satisfactory so she’d get the highest percentage, but had he made her feel valued?

“When did I get a plant?”

She laughed. “It was in here when you started working here. I believe Richard got it from a client when your father died.”

“Oh.” He nodded.

“It’s good to have a plant in your office. It gives off oxygen, which helps you think clearly.”

“Maybe I should get ten more.”

She laughed again, and he realized another treasure. The sound of her laughter made him smile. It was sincere and sweet. He wanted to hear it again and again.

* * * *

Wes picked Jamie up at her apartment before dawn on Friday morning. He held in his amusement at her grumpy, morning attitude.