Page 88 of The Work Wife

“Oh, God.” Jamie winced. What was he going to share?

“Her safety has been an area of contention between us for many years. I get that she is a very determined, independent woman. I love that about her. I wouldn’t want a woman who fluttered her eyelashes and begged a man to do everything for her. But I’ve seen her struggle to carry something that is way too heavy for her.”

Jamie let out a sigh. Not so bad. But he wasn’t finished.

“I’ve seen her standing on the edge of her desk trying to reach something. And—before we were together—I’ve seen her go out with men who gave off the creepy-stalker vibe in waves. And every time I’ve told her not to do these things she’s gotten pissed at me and done them anyway.”

The group laughed, as Jamie stared at him.

“Why do you think that is?” the instructor asked.

“It was because I told her not to do these things.”

“Jamie doesn’t like to be told what to do?” Curt chuckled. “Who would have guessed?”

“What do you think you could have done differently?” Misty continued.

Wes looked at Jamie as if he was sincerely trying to figure it out. “I should have told her why I didn’t want her to do these things. I should have told her it wasn’t because I was trying to control her, but that it scared me because I didn’t want her to get hurt.”

Jamie’s heart melted a little bit.

“Jamie, if he would have asked you to let him help carry something because he cared about you, would you have let him help you?”

Jamie frowned. Her initial reaction would have been to say she still didn’t need his help, but she gave it a minute. If Wes was willing to take these workshops seriously, so was she.

And if he’d said Let me help you, because I care, and don’t want you to get hurt while giving her the look he was giving her now? She would have easily relented.

“I would have let him help. Wow.” She scrunched up her nose. “I really would have let you help me. And I wouldn’t have felt weaker for it.”

“Holy shit,” Wes whispered.

The whole group laughed at that.

“I think we’re on to something here.” Wes raised his brows and then with a smile he leaned in to kiss her. While it could have been chalked up to putting on a show for their audience, it didn’t feel like that was the only reason.

She could tell Wes had kissed her for the joy of it. Mostly because she enjoyed it too.

The instructor moved on to the next couple and Jamie turned her attention from the man next to her. The man who cared about her.

“Let’s discuss how we make up with our partner after an argument. Who wants to go first?”

Curt raised his hand. Oh, Curt. Why did he think he was still good at this? Jamie leaned back, ready to watch the show that was Curt.

“Well, flowers. That’s an easy one.” Beside her, Wes let out a breath.

“Flowers?” Misty confirmed.

“Yeah. Women love flowers. It’s the easiest way for them to get over it.” It was like watching a train wreck. Jamie couldn’t look away.

“Flowers fix everything?” the instructor asked.

Curt looked confused by the question. “Most everything. But definitely if you’ve done something to upset her.”

“Men, buying your wife flowers when you mess up is a pleasant way to start a conversation. But flowers are not a blanket apology. What if you haven’t done anything wrong?”

The men sniffed at this thought, no doubt having been trained that they were always at fault if their wives were unhappy.

Weston looked at Jamie, who smiled.