Page 132 of Wingwoman
"So that's a yes!" Raeanne squealed, causing everyone at the table but me to erupt in laughter.
I continued to study my half-eaten breakfast like I was decoding sanskrit.
"What's wrong?" Maryanne asked, then lowered her voice to a whisper. "Is he bad in bed or something?"
"No," I snapped. "Trust me,thatis not the problem."
Vivian tilted her head to the side examining me. "What is then?"
I dragged my gaze to hers, ignoring the way mine gathered tears. "Brent."
"Your ex?" Maggie asked and I nodded.
"Oh! A love triangle!" Raeanne clapped. "The best romance trope."
Julianne rolled her eyes at her sister. “It’s only romantic in books and movies. Otherwise, it’s a downright mess.”
"It’s not a love triangle,” I said quickly. “I don't want Brent back. At all. But... he was pretty famous. At least in New York. And it made my life hell. Ultimately, it's why we broke up. I just... I couldn't handle that kind of fame."
Viv made a low mmmm sound and nodded. "And Josh is even more famous than Brent?"
"That's right."
"Huh," Raeanne said.
"That's a pickle," Maryanne chimed in with that nugget.
The rest of the group was silent for a few moments, considering what I'd said. Then Vivian took the lead, her voice level and even as she spoke. "Well, the way I see it, we need to figure out how you can cope with this."
"We?" I snorted something halfway between a laugh and a sob.
"Yes, we," she repeated. "Because it sounds like your relationship with Josh is really special and if that's something you want to continue, then we will help you figure out some solutions."
Julianne picked up where Viv left off. "Mom's right. You can't let fear stand in the way. You can't let your trauma of dealing with Brent's fame and his affair stop you from finding happiness."
Maryanne nodded in agreement before pulling a pen and a business card from her purse. "I work with a guy who specializes in healing trauma," she said as she scribbled a name and email down on the blank side. "I think talking it out with a professional could really help."
I read the name. Dr. Milner. Then, flipping the card over, I saw her name on the front. Maryanne was a social worker. How did I not know that already?
"Thank you," I said, tucking the card into my wallet. The thought of therapy made my insides twist, but that didn't mean she was wrong either.
Lastly, Raeanne leaned in. "My advice is probably what you're going to like the least." She paused for a moment before continuing, a determined look in her eyes. "You should also consider creating an online presence of your own."
"Okay, well now we've really crossed over into Crazyland," I said with a roll of my eyes.
"I'm serious! Starting your own online presence like an influencer would help create a barrier between you and the press."
I gave her a skeptical look. "How so? Isn't that giving them more insight into my life?"
"Yeah, but curated insight. It can be as real or as fake as you want. And by getting the little snippets online, they're less likely to be ravenous for information by coming after your friends or family. Also... by having your own online presence, you position yourself publicly as your own woman. With your own career. Not just Josh's partner who's always lurking in the background. That's when the press really eats you alive."
Our server deposited another round of mimosas as I sat there dumbfounded.
Holy hell... she had a point.
They all did.
My phone buzzed and I looked down to find another text from Brent.
