The Temporary Wife by Jeannie Moon Page B

vacations.
    Even though he thought there was no reason for her to keep working, she wasn’t quitting her job. She could stay home and be a full-time mom, but when he suggested it, she squashed the idea immediately. She said she couldn’t risk giving up the only security she had left.
    Which pissed him off. The whole point of getting married was so she and Molly would be secure. Once the divorce happened, Meg would be set for life. She’d be a millionaire in her own right, and he was going to leave her with this house, which she could sell or keep, whatever she wanted.
    But Meg was all about taking care of herself.
    The group was loud for four people, with one person talking over the other, disagreeing or agreeing about one thing or another. The discussion between Harper and Owen about the Yankees’ playoff chances was so loud, no one realized they had company until Hurricane Molly burst into the room. She had a bag in her hand, and when she saw she couldn’t get to him quick and easy because he was on the far side of the table, Molly dropped to the floor and crawled under, popping up and climbing into his lap.
    She could have gone around, but the kid was direct and never wasted a step. She gave him a big smacking kiss on the cheek, and he felt a smile creep across his face. “Hey there, cutie,” he said. “Have a good day?”
    “Yup, and you should see all Aunt Meg’s presents. The teachers had a party for her.”
    “A party?” Jason looked up and saw Meg and Jill enter the kitchen, hauling bags and boxes.
    He grabbed Molly by the waist and stood, lifting her as he went. When he came around the table, he set his niece on the floor and saw Harper’s scowl.
    “Hey, I didn’t know you’d be here.” He walked to Meg and kissed her on the cheek partly for appearance, but partly because he wanted to. He liked kissing her.
    “I figured I’d drop this stuff off.” Meg surveyed the table full of people, and when her eyes landed on Harper, the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. They’d never met face-to-face. “I didn’t realize you’d be here. Sorry if we interrupted.”
    “You didn’t; we were done and grabbed dinner. Want some? It’s Thai.” Jason looked around her and smiled. “How are you, Jill? Hungry?”
    “No, thanks,” her friend said. “Meg, I’m going to take off. I’ll see you tomorrow, or call me if you need to, you know, talk.” Jill gave Harper a death stare, hugged Meg and Molly, and left.
    Jason leaned into the counter and watched Meg and Harper check each other out. Finally, Harper rose from the table and stuck out her hand as she moved toward them.
    “It’s nice to finally meet you, Meg. I’m Harper Poole, Reliance’s director of operations and Jason’s assistant.”
    Meg shook her hand. “Megan Rossi. Nice to meet you, too.”
    “Gosh, Jason,” Harper said as she walked around Meg. The contrast between the two women was striking. Meg was petite, curvy, and had a mass of blond hair and big, tilted green eyes. Harper was tall, slender, and had straight dark hair with round hazel eyes. Both women were attractive, but Meg was more bombshell beautiful, while Harper exuded a cool elegance. Basically, oil and water.
    “She’s so cute!” Harper’s enthusiasm was affected, and he could see this wasn’t going to end well. “So, you’re a teacher?”
    Jason had no idea what Harper was up to, but Meg was looking from her to him and he could see she wasn’t happy about the way she was being checked out.
    “Yes, I teach kindergarten.”
    “I don’t know how you handle all those little kids all day. At least you’re not dealing with something hard, though, like math or science. I guess if you’re organized, it’s like a cool babysitting gig.”
    Jason watched Meg’s face harden, and even though he didn’t know what went into her day, he never questioned that what she did was far more involved and important than babysitting. He couldn’t believe Harper thought