Page 18 of Suddenly Single

“You mentioned that you and Carter are no longer married, or you never were I believe.” Cort grinned. “How am I supposed to help?”

“Carter won’t speak to me, and I was hoping you could help me get through to him.” I sighed, and the back of my head felt tight. Hopefully, I wasn’t getting a headache.

“I’m confused, Asher. What exactly is going on? Does he not want to marry you again?” Cort sipped his drink, eyeing me curiously.

“He won’t talk, damn it. I’ve told him already that I want us to be married again, that it would be the wedding of his dreams. Hell, I’ll do anything to get him back.” I drained my drink while Cort steepled his hands under his chin. “He moved out of the house and is living over his design shop in Carytown.”

“He what?” Cort’s eyes widened.

“Yes, he left me. And I need your help to get him back.” The waitress came by with a fresh drink and took my empty glass away.

“Well, Asher, I’m not sure how I can be of help to you. I mean, I like Carter okay, but we’re hardly good friends. We probably would never have met if it weren’t for you. Though I have to admit, I’ve always been a little jealous.” Cort raked his fingers through his thick red hair.

“Jealous? What on earth are you jealous of?” I said, rubbing my chin.

“Well, Carter. He might not come from our social background, but he’s a very attractive man. Actually, that’s probably why I’ve always liked your husb… I mean your ex-husband, I guess. Because he’s different, and refreshing to be around.”

Now it was my turn to be jealous. Cort had never once mentioned to me that he had the hots for Carter. It was understandable, of course. When I first met Carter, that was what I thought, too. Everyone in my social set was very stuffy, to say the least. When I was around Carter, I felt freed from the silly rules and behaviors of my preppy friends. I daresay that was why my family fell in love with Carter, too.

“Look, he doesn’t want to see me. But maybe he’d speak to you, Cort.”

“Are you sure you want me to get involved? Because I’ve never had a serious relationship in my life. I’m not sure I’d even know what to say.” Cort signaled the waitress for another drink.

“Honestly, I don’t know who to turn to. Please, Cort? Will you talk to Carter for me?”

Monday morning was pure, unadulterated hell. After leaving Cort at the country club, I’d gone home and had a few more drinks with the girls. By the time Mom got back from her date with the judge, we were all three sheets to the wind, and a pounding head was my payment for a few hours of forgetfulness.

Now I faced a growing pile of paperwork, and a secretary who also woke up on the wrong side of the bed. All I wanted was to go home and find Carter in bed waiting for me. Since the chances of that happening were slim to none, I felt helpless.

When I came into the office this morning, I’d gone to Cort’s office and again, I urged him to help me with Carter. He said he’d talk to him sometime today, so I was keeping my fingers crossed it would help.

“Knock, knock.”

I glanced up to see Mom standing in the doorway of my office. “Where’s my secretary?”

“Not at her desk. That’s why I’m barging in unannounced.” Mom sat across from me and smiled. “Have you heard anything from Carter?”

“No. He won’t speak to me, so I’ve roped Cort into helping out.” I said, then Mom handed me a folder with more paperwork. “Mom, I’ve billed more hours than any other partner in the firm the last couple of months, and I’d…”

“I’m so proud of you, dear.” Mom stood, walked to the mini-bar by the window, and helped herself to a drink. “When I die, the family business will be in excellent hands.”

“Oh mother, don’t even talk about…”

“Darling, it’s true, just a fact of life. I don’t expect to kick the bucket anytime soon. But I’m prepared to meet my maker.” Mom sat down and winked. “Let’s just hope he’s prepared to meet me.”

“Mom, the reason I bring up my billable hours is if I can persuade Carter to remarry me, I’d like to take some time off. Perhaps a month or two. I need quality time with Carter, so we can work through our problems.”

“Of which you have many.” Mom said. “If you can win Carter back, and trust me, the whole family is rooting for you, I’ll give you all the time off you need. We’ll just spread your casework out to some associates, though you might have to do a little teleworking.”

“That’s not a problem.” I put my face in my hands and sighed. “Cort said he’d help by talking to Carter, since he’s not speaking to me.”

“Are you sure about that? I mean, Cort is a friend, but perhaps you should keep this problem in the family. You know how people gossip.” Mom tossed her drink back and stood. “Honey, you need to go to Carter yourself, and beg, no, not beg, grovel. If you hadn’t told him you didn’t wish to be married, this situation would never have gotten out of hand.” Mom tilted her head and pointed at me.

“What?”

“Get out of here.” Mom came behind the desk and leaned over me. She punched the off button on my computer, then shut the open files. “Go to Carter and take care of this now. Are you due in court today?”

“No, I don’t have a courtroom case until next week. Most of my work is about taxes, and…”

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