Page 123 of The Work Wife

“It was only slightly more unpleasant than hearing Mother tell me she knew and didn’t care.”

“You’re kidding. Mother knew and just looked the other way?” It was good to see that Ben was just as baffled by this behavior as Wes was. Maybe there was hope for them after all.

“She didn’t want to give up the money.” Wes shook his head, still unable to comprehend.

“Who was he with?” Ben asked, his brows creased in disgust.

“His assistant. The worst part was I had a thing for her before that. She was hot. Not like Jamie, but pretty.”

Ben swallowed and looked a little pale. “Does she still work there?”

“I have no idea. She did when I left.”

“What was her name?” Ben’s voice cracked.

“I don’t know. Angie, Amy? Something with an A.”

“Was she blond?”

“Yeah.” Wes frowned. “Ben, you can’t fire her for something she did years ago. If she’s still with the company, it must mean she does a good job. I know I won’t be sleeping with her, so let it go.”

“I have to go.” Ben stood, his eyes frantic.

“Are you taking this badly? I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d care this much.” He should have been more sensitive. Maybe Ben looked up to him more than Wes realized.

“I don’t care. I just remembered something I need to do.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes. Tomorrow.” Ben rushed out without a second glance.

“Weird.” When the waiter returned with his credit card, Wes walked to the sidewalk and pulled out his phone to call Jamie.

She didn’t answer. No doubt she was doing something fun with her dad.

“Hey. I was hoping to talk to you.” If anyone could make him feel better about upsetting his brother, it was Jamie. “I think I’ve made a terrible mistake,” he added. “I’ll catch you later.”

* * * *

Ben found a spot at the bar and frowned at the woman playing her heart out on stage. This place was not as classy as MacGregor’s, as evidenced by the way people were staring at him as if he were an intruder.

Despite the conditions, he planned to wait for his chance to confront Annabelle.

What an idiot he’d been. In his defense, he’d never been important enough for a woman to sleep with him to advance her career, or whatever advancement women got from sleeping with their bosses.

He’d completely fallen into her trap. The fact that she’d also slept with his father made him want to gag. Everyone always said how much Ben looked like his father. Had that been the allure? Had she cared for his father and saw this as a way to relive what they’d had?

When the set was over he stood and waved her over.

“I didn’t know you were coming to see me.” She greeted him with a smile as he handed over a bottle of water. “I thought you were having dinner with your brother.”

“I was, but we had an interesting discussion and I couldn’t wait to talk to you.” He looked around at the crowd and gestured to the door.

When she followed him out to the sidewalk he looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone.

“My brother just told me my father had an affair with his assistant.”

“Oh, hell,” she whispered.