Page 53 of Boss with Benefits

Brady sighed. “Doesn’t matter. She’ll be better off without me in her life.”

“Don’t you think she should be the one to make that decision?”

The question stayed with Brady. It replayed itself on a loop for the rest of the day. His inner voice screamedYes!,but he knew deep down he needed to make the decision for her. She didn’t understand how damaged he was below the surface where no one could see.

∞∞∞

Brady was avoiding her.

Or maybe she thought he was avoiding her, because she was avoiding him.

All day long she wished for a time machine so she could go back to yesterday evening and start over. She wouldn’t guzzle the champagne if she could do it again. Maybe she would take a few sips and stop there. Then everything would have been okay. She wouldn’t have caused a scene, and she most certainly wouldn’thave blurted out those three little words Brady didn’t want to hear.

I love you.

Sitting at her desk, she groaned and buried her face in her hands. Coupling those words with the fact she had attacked Greta for touching her man, and she was surprised Brady hadn’t filed for a divorce first thing that morning. How could she possibly convince him she didn’t mean it?

That was a lie, of course. She decided to admit it to herself even if she couldn’t be honest with him. When had it happened? When had she fallen in love with Brady? Hard to say. It wasn’t a sudden feeling that hit her like a brick wall. No. Her love for Brady had grown like a beautiful flower in the sunshine after being watered and cared for over a length of time.

The impulse to run hit her hard. She needed time away from the office and some fresh air. Grabbing her purse, she headed for the elevator. Katherine asked where she was going and what she should tell Brady. Jessica walked faster. She pretended she didn’t hear their secretary.

Unfortunately, the little lights above the elevator told her it was currently in the lobby. That meant a long wait. She pressed the button repeatedly, knowing it wouldn’t make the elevator move faster, and a frustrated groan slid past her lips.

“Are you okay?” Mona asked from her place behind the reception counter.

Jessica turned with a fake smile pasted on her face. “Fine. Everything is fine.”

Mona swallowed hard, and she dropped her gaze to her manicured hands. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. I just…”

“What?” Jessica took a step toward the counter. “You just what?”

“After what Brady did for me, I’m always looking for a way to repay him. For a moment, I thought maybe I could help you, his wife, and that would be a good way to help him.”

“What did Brady do for you?”

Mona shook her head. “If he didn’t tell you, I probably shouldn’t say—”

“You should. You really should tell me.” Jessica widened her smile. “I am his wife, after all, and anything that affects him is my business.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jessica bristled at the last word and wanting to remind Mona she wasn’t that much older than her. But that was a conversation for another time. She couldn’t risk distracting the receptionist when she was about to give her important information. “What did Brady do for you?” Jessica asked again.

“He saved my life.”

“How?”

Mona twisted her long, delicate fingers. “Years ago, I was in a bad relationship. My live-in boyfriend called me while I was modeling for Brady. I knew it was unprofessional to answer the call, but Archie would have been so angry if I’d ignored him. So I took it. When I was done with the call, I was shaking and trying hard not to cry.”

“And Brady asked you why?”

“He guessed. Somehow, he knew my boyfriend was controlling and mean, and he offered to help me get away from him.” Mona’s eyes welled up with tears. “I gave him a long list of reasons why I couldn’t leave Archie. Mainly, I was afraid to try, but Brady wouldn’t let up. He told me about his mother and that he didn’t want me to end up like her.”

Jessica’s heart dropped to her stomach. “Brady helped you get away from Archie? How did that work?”

Mona’s demeanor brightened at the memory. “First, he took an ex-marine to my house and packed my belongings. They warned Archie to forget about me or else. Then Brady arranged a new identity for me in another state. All I had to do was show up. I had a new home, a new job, and a new car.”

“If Brady sent you to another state to start over, why are you here?”

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