What a Man Needs by Patricia Thayer

hand.
    â€œIt’s an honor to meet you. I’m such a big fan.”
    Cynthia had always had trouble handling her celebrity status. “Thank you.”
    â€œIf you have a moment I would like to talk with you.”
    â€œSure.”
    They separated themselves from the departing crowd.
    Abby adjusted her glasses, then turned serious. “Dr. Richie wanted me to speak with you. He’s so happy that you’ve been attending his seminars and using his oil. He would approach you himself but he’s afraid he’ll draw attention to you and he knows how important privacy is—to all his clients.”
    Cynthia was pleased. “I appreciate that he’s so considerate. It’s nice that I can come here and just be me.” Sometimes she wondered who that was. She thought of Patrick. She found herself wishing she could be the woman he needed. Whoa, hold it right there, she thought. Since when did she need to rely on a man?
    â€œIf I may be so bold, Ms. Reynolds, you look terrific. Not that you didn’t before, but there seems to be a glow about you. I hope you feel that Dr. Richie and NoWait have contributed to that.”
    â€œI do. I’ve never felt in better shape. As you know I already sent Dr. Richie a letter stating that.”
    Abby nodded. “And he was happy to receive it. Since you feel so strongly about the program, there is something else we would like you to consider. How would you feel about letting Dr. Richie use your name to promote the program?”
    Cynthia was taken aback by the request. She had never done endorsements before, and wasn’t crazy about doing this, even for Dr. Richie. “I’ll need some time to consider it. So I’ll have to get back to you.”
    â€œOf course, that’s understandable.” Abby Edwards smiled, then reached out her hand and Cynthia shook it. “I’ll give you a call in…two weeks?”
    â€œSure. Goodbye.” Cynthia turned to leave and saw Kelly coming into the room. They’d made a date to meet for dinner.
    â€œWhen you didn’t come out to the car, I wondered if I missed you.”
    â€œNo, I was talking to Dr. Richie’s PR person. She wants my endorsement of NoWait.”
    Kelly raised an eyebrow. “I hope you didn’t say you’d do it.”
    â€œOf course not.” Together they walked through the doors into the hall, passing several couples holding hands, or with their arms around each other. Some pairs were boldly exchanging kisses. “I said I’d get back to her in a few weeks. I’ll just hand it over to my lawyer.” She smiled sweetly. Although her sister was a divorce lawyer, she handled a lot of Cyndi’s affairs.
    â€œGood, this NoWait oil hasn’t been thoroughly tested. I’d hate to see you on a TV infomercial selling the stuff, then end up being sued.”
    â€œAlways the practical one.”
    â€œSomeone has to be.” They pushed through the doors that led to the parking lot.
    People turned as they walked by. She was recognized, but most fans just smiled at her, a few asked for autographs, and she willingly obliged.
    â€œWhere do you want to eat?” Kelly asked.
    â€œI don’t care. Just someplace quiet. I really don’t feel like being bothered tonight.”
    Kelly sighed. “Well, that’s what you get for being famous.”
    Cynthia thought about her life. She’d been doing that a lot lately. Maybe it was because she’d turned thirty-five and time seemed to be slipping away. She had no one special to share it with—no husband…no children.
    â€œKel, did you ever wish your life had gone in another direction? That you hadn’t become a lawyer?”
    Kelly paused at the driver’s side of her Mercedes. “The only other thing I wanted to be years ago was a fireman.” She shrugged. “I love being a lawyer, but I’ve been thinking about doing more pro bono work.