Page 58 of About That Rule

Samantha gathered everything she needed for court and put it in her tote. She had to leave in ten minutes and wanted to be prepared. “Anyway, this friend married someone who was such a manwhore, they made a big joke about it and couldn’t wait until they got their marriage annulled.”

“Wow. They weren’t even willing to give it a try?”

“No, but then they slept together and feelings got involved. Things changed, at least for one person. The guy…he wanted to keep it all secretive. When he didn’t get his way because of something she said at a stupid happy hour, he went all crazy town. But he’s the one with commitment issues since he’s never even had a girlfriend before.”

“You can’t crucify someone for their past relationship history. We all have a past, whether we like it or not. Do you think he could change?” Charlotte was gentle when she asked the sensitive question.

“He’s slept with half the women from New York to California. It’s like he only wants to commit because it works for him right now.” Samantha hated the words as they left her mouth, then she realized she was giving way too much detail to not point a finger at herself. “Hypothetically anyway.”

“Interesting,” Charlotte’s voice didn’t give a single emotion away. “What is it you need help with? You know, since this is obviously not a real-life situation.”

Ugh, this whole thing was so messy.

“If it was real, and she had a court appearance for the annulment, would you go through with ending the marriage?”

“Does this friend of yours want to stay married?”

“At the moment, she would love to throw her pointiest high-heel at him.”

Charlotte let out a soft laugh. “Hypothetically.”

“Obviously.”

“Then whoever it is we’re talking about needs to decide if the fight is worth it. If they love the person enough to trust change and follow their gut, that’s exactly what they should do.”

“That sounds awfully convoluted,” Samantha whined.

“Just as convoluted as your hypothetical situation. I love you, and I’m always here for you. When you’re ready to talk, let me know. And whoever this is about, remind them to think about the future. Is the risk worth it?”

They got off the phone, and Samantha wasn’t any more ready to see Nate than she had been before she’d called Charlotte. In fact, she had even more to think about.

No way was this going to be solved before she got to court