Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it? You guys already know.
Julie sat in the waiting area nervously tapping her foot against the leg of the chair. She was lucky that she had been able to get out of the house without having Peyton attached to her leg. She had been so clingy lately, she had slept with Julie every night this week. She was okay with Adam not being there; but she wanted to have Julie within her eyesight constantly.
Julie was thankful that Nate was young enough that he wouldn't understand what was happening until he got older. Peyton wouldn't remember much either other than that Julie held it together for her and Nate.
"Mrs. Banks? Mr. Portman will see you now."
Julie made her way into his office smiling appreciatively at his secretary as she passed. She closed the door behind her watching Dean at his desk. He was going over some paper work but once the door clicked shut he looked up.
"Have a seat." He said warmly.
Julie was glad that he hadn't passed judgement on her when she called him to set up an appointment. She knew he wasn't a divorce lawyer, but she knew he would help her find one. Even though she could have gotten a recommendation over the phone she felt better talking to him in person.
He had a book open in front of him and a few names and numbers were hilighted.
"How are you?"
"Other than the fact that I'm newly single mother? I'm fine."
"It'll get better." He said giving her a reassuring smile.
"Why are you being so nice? You don't even like Adam."
"I never said I didn't like him. He wasn't that bad when we were younger. Now I hold it in because you're my friend."
Julie gave him a thankful smile before they started going over the list of lawyers he had for her. It felt good to be honest with someone for a change. It had been almost two weeks since Julie had come home to find Adam gone. She was in the process of moving on. She didn't know how long it would take but she hoped it wouldn't last long.
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Connie sat at her desk staring at the invitation in front of her. She had to get it out today or it wouldn't get to Minniapolis in time. All she had to do was check the box with the one or two. How hard could it be? If she checked one that meant that she was a loser who couldn't find a date. If she checked two she'd have to call Guy and beg him to be her date. It wasn't as easy as it had once been. He mentioned that often when it came to her. What if he already had a date? She could always go with Julie or Charlie.
She shook her head and marked the first box and put the card in it's envelope. She'd send it out when she went to the warehouse. With that behind her she went back to going over her drawings. She only had three weeks until fashion week. Which meant that her seamtress didn't have long to work on them. It was a good thing Connie would only be gone for the weekend. She'd deal with whatever happened on Monday.
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Julie hung up the phone with a groan. She had been calling different people she had gone to college with hoping that they would be able to tell her if any ad agency's were hiring. She had a few leads, but all but one had turned out to be dead ends. She still couldn't get in touch with the CEO for the firm in Dallas. She didn't like the idea of moving the kids away from everything they were comfortable with. But if Dallas was the only place that had an opening then she wouldn't have a choice.
She wished that she hadn't given in when Adam had told her he didn't want her working after they got married. She had always said that she would never do something like that. Then she had fallen in love and everything had changed. Now that her marriage was over she felt like she was relearning everything again. Connie was right, she had changed.
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Portman cradled the phone on one shoulder as he looked through a file. He was about to hang up when he heard the other extension pick up.
"Hello?" A little girl said.
"Is Julie there?"
"Who's this?"
"Dean Portman. I'm a friend of hers."
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Hey. Sorry, she's not supposed to answer the phone."
"It's okay. I was wondering if you had plans tomorrow night."
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"I found you a lawyer."
"You did? Portman you're the best!" She said with a nervous laugh.
"She wants to meet you for a business dinner tomorrow night."
"I'll have to find a baby-sitter. But I'll be there."
"She doesn't normally take clients without talking to them first. But she's a friend of mine."
"I really do appreciate it."
"I know you do. Do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Call me and let me know how it goes."
"I can do that."
"All right then."
He gave her the information she needed and soon she was off the phone. She hadn't expected him to be able to help her. She had planned to start looking for a lawyer with in the next few days. She was glad that she had gone to see him. Even if it was just to get his opinion.