Page 154 of Come Apart
"Why not?"
Why couldn't I take Alyssa up on her offer? She was right—I'm not getting anything out of this relationship with Samantha. It assuages the uneasy feeling in my gut—the one that reminds me she might leave the world forever if I don't watch her carefully.
Even though I may not like Samantha, I want her to be okay.
But I don't want her in my life. Not really. Even if it eases my guilt.
"Mr. Lawrence?"
"I thought I couldn't agree to the terms, and she completely refused to negotiate."
"Your girlfriend?"
"I'm sorry," I say. "This is completely unprofessional."
"But now you've got me intrigued. What were the terms?"
"I really shouldn't," I say. "Mr. Knight is out for reasons to lecture me."
"I won't tell if you don't." Another smile.
Maybe Penny is flirting with me. No, it's friendly. She did study psychology. Maybe, once upon a time, she wanted to help people.
"She thinks my ex is in love with me," I say.
"Is she?"
I nod. "But it has nothing to do with me. It's only because she has no one else."
"I'm sure it has something to do with you."
"She wasn't very interested when she had me."
Penny smiles. "Well, you know women. We always want what we can't have."
"Maybe."
"I'm sure women fall in love with you all the time. I mean, look at you. I've only known you five minutes and I'm already enamored." She laughs. "Though your girlfriend doesn't have to worry. I'm still mixed up about my husband."
"I'll let her know."
She smiles. "I guess I shouldn't be giving you advice, since I'm here looking for a divorce. Who could be less prepared to give relationship advice than a twenty-five-year-old divorcée-to-be?"
"You learn a lot about relationships from watching them end."
"Then you should be the one giving me advice." She laughs. It's casual, like we're friends.
I already have her hooked. She's going to sign a retainer at the end of this meeting.
This is almost too easy.
Penny leans a little closer. "But I did study psychology and I would so like to feel useful, so here goes. If you really love her, then you can probably find a way to agree to those terms."
"Probably."
"You sure you don't want to tell me a little more?" she asks. "It would be nice to think about someone else's problems for a minute."
"You've been very helpful."
