“Is that what has you distracted today?” Carina asked with a level stare.
Carina was such a pot stirrer, and she didn’t even hide her amusement.
“No. I’m sorry. It was my phone. Someone wants to meet.” Realizing Olivia would ask for details, thinking it was work, she added, “For lunch.”
“Your schedule is clear. Mr. Hoffman canceled. They’re thinking about reconciliation,” Olivia said.
“Really? That’s great. They’re such a nice couple. I think maybe she was just threatening the divorce to get his attention,” Whitney said. “Her attorney told me Mrs. Hoffman was crushed when he agreed to the divorce so quickly, even though it washer idea. He was probably calling her bluff by coming to us. His heart didn’t seem into it.”
Carina flipped her hand in the air. “Been telling you the data points on that. It happens.”
“It does,” Olivia agreed. “But I’m happy they’re taking a step back. He seemed like a really nice man, and he said nothing negative about his marriage or wife.”
Whitney looked back at the document. Olivia had taken the assignment and run with it. “Really well done, Olivia. These questions can help couples avoid emotional mistakes, and set expectations.”
“Not all divorce attorneys are like you two,” Olivia said. “That’s what I love about working here.”
Whitney liked hearing that Olivia was so happy working for them. They made such a great team. “How’s the lobby looking this morning?”
“Good. We’re taking an active mitigation approach, not letting anyone mill around looking confused or snooping. Better for me to get them out of here than them ask questions of one of the partner’s secretaries.”
“Does it seem like anyone else in the practice has figured out what’s going on?” Whitney held her breath.
Olivia shook her head. “I don’t think so. I haven’t heard a peep out of anyone in the break room. The cleaning guy made a comment about the number of water cups being used out there when he came through this morning, but he doesn’t talk to anyone but me anyway.”
“True.”
“On a positive note, you aren’t trending anymore,” Olivia said.
“And here I thought I was so trendy.” She exaggerated a pout and pretended to take a selfie.
“Oh no. Don’t you even tease like that. I hate that duck-lips photo thing,” Carina said. “No one looks good like that.”
“I’d never.” Whitney rolled her eyes. “You know that.”
“We all know that!” Olivia tapped the screen on her phone. “Good news. Right now the Memorial Day holiday is number one, followed by some guy who was reeling in a fish when a shark came up and bit it right in half, which is actually a pretty cool video. You are off the list. For now, anyway.”
“Thank goodness. Maybe we dodged this bullet after all.” Whitney checked her watch. “I’ve got another meeting at the top of the hour. Anything else I need to address?”
“Oh, yes,” Olivia said. “Tomorrow is the Chamber of Commerce Casino Night thing. One of y’all has to attend. Which one of you is going?”
“Not me.” Carina planted her feet. “Whitney, you need to do this one. Chloe starts swimming lessons tomorrow night at the club. It’s a family thing. It’s supposed to make the child feel safer with Mom and Dad in the water with them. Which is stupid since I can’t even swim, but maybe I’ll learn too.”
“I hate going to those events alone,” Whitney groaned. “Can’t I just make a big donation or give the tickets away?”
Carina shook her head. “You know your father would blow his stack if one of us wasn’t there. We’re a major sponsor.”
Whitney felt her facial muscles tense. “I’ll be the only single person there.”
“You were going to be the only single person when you were going with Roger. What’s the difference?”
“Fine. The only single person without a date. Which is even more pathetic and no fun.”
“You could invite Matthew to go,” Carina sing-songed the statement the way she was known to do. “He’s fun, isn’t he?”
“The artist?” Olivia said. “Yes. He gets my vote. I bet he’d love to join you. I like him for you.”
“That’s enough about that, you two.” She didn’t hate the idea, though. “What makes you think he’d want to go to a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser?”
