Read Online Doubleback: A Novel by Libby Fischer Hellmann - Free Book Online
Authors: Libby Fischer Hellmann
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meeting PRSA about, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“They have a client who wants to redesign their website. That’s what I specialize in.” She hoped to hell Alessi didn’t know anyone at PRSA. Then again, maybe Alessi wouldn’t ask. Maybe she figured no one would lie that blatantly. Alessi tapped a long polished nail on her desk. Then she squared her shoulders.
“Well, this is your lucky day. We usually don’t take clients over the transom, so to speak. But I didn’t have any other appointments...” She looked down at the form again. “I see you were married for seven years. Why did it end?”
“He—he met another woman and fell in love.” That was the truth.
“That must have been hard.”
Georgia hesitated. “It was.”
“I get it. Rejection is probably the most destructive force in the world. It makes you doubt everything. Not just your desirability and your worth—you start to doubt your ability to perform. To make decisions. To get anything done.”
Georgia kept her mouth shut.
“I can see it’s still hard for you to talk about it.”
It was.
“You’ve been spending a lot of time grieving, haven’t you? Mourning the loss. You’ve probably been doubting yourself. Maybe even hating yourself. Deciding you don’t deserve another chance.”
Georgia blinked. This woman knew her.
“And you probably think you’re the only person in the world who feels so raw. It’s a lonely place to be, isn’t it?”
Georgia struggled to keep her emotions at bay. That’s exactly what she was doing. Keeping everyone, including Pete, at arm’s length. Not getting involved. And it was lonely. She blinked again, felt her throat get hot. Then she looked up at Alessi. Her cool smile was still there, but something else was too. Triumph.
Georgia’s mood snapped. Her spine stiffened. She wasn’t here to relive her break-up with Matt; she was here to investigate a potential criminal. But she’d been reacting exactly the way Alessi wanted her to. This woman was good.
Alessi didn’t appear to notice. She folded her hands, still the compassionate therapist. “But now you think you’re ready to dip your toe back into the water.”
Georgia decided to play along. “Yes,” she said meekly.
“But you’re still tentative. Afraid you’ll make another mistake. Go through hell all over again.”
Georgia nodded.
“Well...” A tiny smirk curled Alessi’s lips. It was hardly noticeable unless you were looking for it. “Well, I think we can help.”
For an instant Georgia felt a swell of pride. She’d been approved. Chosen. Then she realized she was supposed to feel that way. She bit her lip.
Alessi slipped on a pair reading glasses and took out a pen. “Tell me what you want in a partner.”
Georgia decided to play her own game. “Someone I can trust.” Alessi nodded and wrote something down. When Georgia didn’t go on, she looked at Georgia over the rim of her glasses. “And...”
“That’s it.”
“Surely, there are other qualities you’re searching for. Looks, sense of humor, career, hobbies...”
“Nope.”
Alessi put the pen down. “I would have thought someone as professional and sophisticated as you would want a partner with similar social and intellectual habits.”
“Trust cuts across everything.”
“I see.” When Georgia didn’t volunteer anything further, Alessi seemed to falter. “Well, uh—when would you like to get started?”
“Right away.” Georgia smiled. “If we can.”
Alessi tipped her head to the side. “All right. Let me tell you the way we work. We’ll search our files carefully to find potential partners for you. We do guarantee six dates over the course of three months. We’ll follow up with both you and your date afterwards and see if we can cement the match. No pressure, of course. If nothing happens, we’ll send you on six more.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Good.” She drew out another piece of paper from a drawer. “These are our
“They have a client who wants to redesign their website. That’s what I specialize in.” She hoped to hell Alessi didn’t know anyone at PRSA. Then again, maybe Alessi wouldn’t ask. Maybe she figured no one would lie that blatantly. Alessi tapped a long polished nail on her desk. Then she squared her shoulders.
“Well, this is your lucky day. We usually don’t take clients over the transom, so to speak. But I didn’t have any other appointments...” She looked down at the form again. “I see you were married for seven years. Why did it end?”
“He—he met another woman and fell in love.” That was the truth.
“That must have been hard.”
Georgia hesitated. “It was.”
“I get it. Rejection is probably the most destructive force in the world. It makes you doubt everything. Not just your desirability and your worth—you start to doubt your ability to perform. To make decisions. To get anything done.”
Georgia kept her mouth shut.
“I can see it’s still hard for you to talk about it.”
It was.
“You’ve been spending a lot of time grieving, haven’t you? Mourning the loss. You’ve probably been doubting yourself. Maybe even hating yourself. Deciding you don’t deserve another chance.”
Georgia blinked. This woman knew her.
“And you probably think you’re the only person in the world who feels so raw. It’s a lonely place to be, isn’t it?”
Georgia struggled to keep her emotions at bay. That’s exactly what she was doing. Keeping everyone, including Pete, at arm’s length. Not getting involved. And it was lonely. She blinked again, felt her throat get hot. Then she looked up at Alessi. Her cool smile was still there, but something else was too. Triumph.
Georgia’s mood snapped. Her spine stiffened. She wasn’t here to relive her break-up with Matt; she was here to investigate a potential criminal. But she’d been reacting exactly the way Alessi wanted her to. This woman was good.
Alessi didn’t appear to notice. She folded her hands, still the compassionate therapist. “But now you think you’re ready to dip your toe back into the water.”
Georgia decided to play along. “Yes,” she said meekly.
“But you’re still tentative. Afraid you’ll make another mistake. Go through hell all over again.”
Georgia nodded.
“Well...” A tiny smirk curled Alessi’s lips. It was hardly noticeable unless you were looking for it. “Well, I think we can help.”
For an instant Georgia felt a swell of pride. She’d been approved. Chosen. Then she realized she was supposed to feel that way. She bit her lip.
Alessi slipped on a pair reading glasses and took out a pen. “Tell me what you want in a partner.”
Georgia decided to play her own game. “Someone I can trust.” Alessi nodded and wrote something down. When Georgia didn’t go on, she looked at Georgia over the rim of her glasses. “And...”
“That’s it.”
“Surely, there are other qualities you’re searching for. Looks, sense of humor, career, hobbies...”
“Nope.”
Alessi put the pen down. “I would have thought someone as professional and sophisticated as you would want a partner with similar social and intellectual habits.”
“Trust cuts across everything.”
“I see.” When Georgia didn’t volunteer anything further, Alessi seemed to falter. “Well, uh—when would you like to get started?”
“Right away.” Georgia smiled. “If we can.”
Alessi tipped her head to the side. “All right. Let me tell you the way we work. We’ll search our files carefully to find potential partners for you. We do guarantee six dates over the course of three months. We’ll follow up with both you and your date afterwards and see if we can cement the match. No pressure, of course. If nothing happens, we’ll send you on six more.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Good.” She drew out another piece of paper from a drawer. “These are our
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