Read Online The Wife by S.P. Cervantes - Free Book Online

smile, trying to feel grateful as I slide out of my seat. “Fantastic. I’m so happy to hear that. Then, I’ll call you tomorrow to set up a meeting to go over all the details with Tommy. Or are you taking the lead on this?” I ask, still unsure who I’ll be working on my part of the project with.
    Just then, the metal door slams open and Tommy stumbles in, followed by Jamie. Our eyes lock immediately and I know I’ve stopped breathing. He stops dead in his tracks and doesn’t break his gaze from mine. Frank is saying something to the both of us, but I’m too caught up in the buzzing in my ears at the shock of being face to face with Jamie, with no escape in sight, that I can’t focus on anything but those green eyes that beg for me to speak to him.
    “A-Lex-A!” Frank steps directly in front of my face with wide eyes and a giant shit-eating grin. “Can I come crash your dinner with your friend? Tommy here needs to sleep off whatever he’s been drinking, and I’m starved for food and company other than these two fools.” He jokingly pinches Jamie’s face as he watches for my reaction.
    I notice Jamie glance down at my legs, and at first think he’s checking me out and recoil, but then remember my accident on the treadmill when I see the scratches on my knees and realize he’s checking to see whether I really was alright, like I pretended.
    I’m too stunned by Frank’s imposition to know what to say. “Um, sure, but…” I look over his shoulder to see Jamie watching me now like I’m his prey. “It’ll probably be boring for you, though. I’m sure Jamie…uh, I mean, C.J. can go get something to eat with you.”
    When I said Jamie’s name, Frank instantly realizes that we know each other, because he looks back and forth between us with a sleuth-like grin, as if he’s just solved a puzzle. Before he can answer, I try to get past the three of them. “Thanks again for this opportunity.” I accidently look up at Jamie and know right away he’s not letting me out of his reach this time.
    “Why don’t we all get dinner together? We’ll just get Tommy settled and meet you there. I have some things to discuss with you anyway.” Jamie’s Irish accent is as powerful as ever as his green eyes light up with his suggestion. He knows how uncomfortable I am right now and clearly loves every second of it. Little does he know how being with him only complicates an already complicated situation.
    “Great! Where should we meet you?” Frank gives me no chance to say no as Jamie slides past us and gives me a look that I know well. He’s trying to tell me not to worry. He would look at me that way when we were young every time that I was worried about a test or my dad.
    “Javier’s. In Crystal Cove,” I say blankly.
    “Awesome.” Frank kisses my cheek, oblivious of my discomfort. “See you in a few!”
    I walk out the door in a haze.
    “Hey, is your friend hot and single?” Frank calls behind me.
    Here we go; that’s all I would need. After I finish this job, I don’t ever want to see Jamie again. That would certainly complicate things. “See you at dinner,” I reply without answering his question.
    I don’t look back and get in my car, wondering what else could possibly go wrong today.

    “So you’re trying to tell me that the hot Irish dude from the gym—your future boss—is your long-lost love, Jamie?” She takes a giant gulp from her margarita, looking at me as if this is the best soap opera she’s ever heard. Lee came into my life after Jamie left me, and has only ever heard bits here and there about him when I was drunk in college and feeling sentimental. “Ho-ly sh-it!” She exaggerates each syllable dramatically.
    “He’s not a long-lost love, Lee. Stop making this out to be more than it is. He’s someone who I once cared for and also someone who treated me like an ass.” I match her drink from my own margarita. Jamie could walk through the door any second, so I’m trying to