“Scroll down. Her reply is underneath. And people are allowed to post their advice, too. It’s a community.”
“A community of people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Kill me now. Dear Underconfident—” his gaze flicked briefly to Marsha “—can you believe someone actually called himself that?”
“I think it’s adorably honest.”
“It’s prophetic. You are what you think you are.” He read on. “Dear Underconfident, everyone is special in their own way—seriously? Can you get me a bucket? I’m feeling ill.”
“Just because you’re not the sentimental type, doesn’t mean it’s rubbish. Not everyone is afraid of emotion.”
“Just because I have full control over my emotions, doesn’t mean I’m afraid. But I do have a healthy respect for the damage emotion can cause. In relationships, emotion drives bad decisions.” His voice shook and Marsha stared at him as if he’d grown horns and wings.
“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” She spoke cautiously. “Is there something personal going on here I should know about?”
“No.”
“We’ve worked together for five years and I’m old enough to be your mother. Despite your claim to being heartless, we both know you’re not. You helped me when I was at my lowest point and I hope you know you can always talk to me in confidence.”
“There’s nothing I need to talk about. And you are nothing like my mother.” Realizing he’d said too much, Daniel dragged his hand over the back of his neck and hauled his feelings back inside. He didn’t want to think about his mother. He’d long since come to terms with what had happened. He’d been a kid, for goodness’ sake. He’d done what he could. And he’d helped numerous women since then. More than he could coun
t. “Emotion is what brings people streaming into my office. If more people engaged their brains instead of their hormones, the divorce rate would be lower.”
“And you wouldn’t be earning millions.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but the money has always been secondary.” Trying to distract himself, he scanned a few more questions on the site, fascinated and appalled. “Real-life people actually write in asking her this stuff? They can’t figure it out for themselves?” He tried to imagine what sort of person would be comfortable exposing such intimate, private secrets in such a public forum.
Marsha looked amused. “Have you ever asked advice about women?”
“I already know everything I need to know about women, including the fact that this woman is exploiting people who are emotionally vulnerable.” Daniel flipped the screen shut and caught a glimpse of Marsha’s expression. “What?”
“Please tell me you see the irony of that. You’re the divorce attorney everyone hopes their spouse won’t hire.”
“Meaning?”
“It could be argued that you also charge people when they’re at their most vulnerable. You can’t blame her for trying to fix something instead of breaking it.”
“I’ve never broken anything that could be fixed. And trying to fix Henry and Elisa is like trying to glue together a shattered vase with nothing but spit and hope.” The muscles of his shoulders ached with tension. He wished he were back in Central Park watching the sun spill through the blossoms and Molly and Valentine pounding their way along the paths.
“Maybe her advice is sound,” Marsha said. “Maybe it’s something to celebrate. They have two young children, Daniel.”
“I can never understand why people seem to think that growing up with unhappy parents is better than growing up with a happy single parent.”
“I don’t expect you to understand. You don’t have children.”
But he had two younger sisters. He knew a lot more on that topic than Marsha probably imagined.
“If they get back together they’ll be divorced in a year.”
“I hope you’re wrong. But if you’re not, then at least they will have made that decision themselves and they won’t be blaming their lawyers.”
“No, instead they’ll be blaming this agony aunt.” Daniel dismissed the topic and made for the door. “Do you own a dog?”
“Two. Why?”
“Do they come when you call them?”
“Usually. Unless they spot something better in the distance.” She looked baffled. “Why are you asking me about dogs?”
Daniel was about to tell her about Brutus and then decided against it. Walking the dog was only a temporary thing. He didn’t need to become an expert.