Page 87 of The Law of Attraction
“You would’ve been fine. And look. You’ve found true happiness.”
“I used to tell Joey when we first met that if it weren’t for you, we never would’ve met.”
The comment made the sandwich she’d just eaten drop like a rock in Whitney’s gut.
“She did,” he agreed.
“No. Really. It wasn’t me. This is your journey. Your path.”
Brooke said, “If it hadn’t been for you getting me out of that marriage, I would’ve never been free to meet someone like Joey.”
“Well, ours wasn’t like the author who met her fiancé in your office,” Joey clarified. “But I did first meet Brooke the night she was celebrating getting her divorce papers. I saw her with a group of ladies sitting across the room, no idea she’d just gotten divorced, and thought to myself, that woman is my future wife.”
“It was so random. I wasn’t interested in ever getting into another relationship after that divorce. Plus, I didn’t know he was in town on business and leaving the next morning. We danced all night long?—”
“And then I left town to go back home,” Joey said. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
“He came back a few times that year. Then he flew me up to see him.”
“And I finally got my transfer to the Richmond office.”
“That’s when things came together. We knew.” Happiness floated among the words.
“We knew,” he echoed, and they got lost in each other’s gaze for a weirdly uncomfortable moment.
Whitney processed the continuing congo line of lovers who seemed to think they got lucky because of her.
Brooke wriggled in excitement. “Are you going to be on the show too?”
“What show?” There was that sinking feeling in her gut again.
“The local network affiliate is doing a show. They invited us, wellme, to come and share our story too. Ours isn’t nearly as good as Kally’s, but she’s famous, so probably everything works out better for her.”
Panic rose in Whitney’s chest, making it hard to choke out the words. “This is the first I’ve heard about a show.”
“I’m surprised. They asked if I knew you, and of course I told them you were my attorney and how much I adore you. You got me through the worst time in my life. All of it. I just assumed you’d be there.”
Joey interjected, “Oh, and we’ve got an appointment with you next month for the prenup. Brooke went on and on about that from the day I met her, that she’d never get remarried without one.”
“That’s good. Not saying you’ll ever need it, but it’s the best way to go into the relationship. Sort of like carrying an umbrella to be sure you don’t get caught in the rain,” she teased.
“We’ve got plenty of time,” Brooke said. “We aren’t getting married until next April.”
“But we don’t have plenty of time right now. We’ve gotta run.” Joey pointed to his watch. “We have dinner plans with our folks—to share the big news.”
“I’m so happy for you,” said Whitney, and Matthew chimed in with a congratulations too.
“It was fun to see you.” Brooke bounced, hanging on to Joey’s arm. “Thanks for celebrating us.”
“You bet. Best wishes.”
Matthew and Whitney stood looking at each other. She was trying so hard to hold it together. “Matthew, I think I might cry.”
“What? The show?”
“My father is livid over this whole social media thing. Carina and I just assured him everything was fine.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “It’s not.”
“It’s social media. He has to know half of that is people acting up to get attention. It’s not like you broke the law.”
