“You really don’t give yourself a lot of credit, do you? You accomplished a lot in your life before you ever met Barry.”

“Did I tell you Charlie’s seeing someone?” Samantha took a sip of coffee. “At least I think he is.”

“Really?”

“Frankie Weissman. A doctor he knew from Princeton.”

“You told me about her. You wanted him to date her.”

“Well, I don’t really know that they’re dating. I don’t even know that they’re sleeping together. She might not be glitzy enough for Charlie. I just heard they were dancing together at the Modern gala and have been seen together at the opera and the ballet.”

“And that bothers you?” the therapist asked.

“Not at all.” She looked down at her hands. “This is terrible, but I hardly ever think about Charlie.”

“Why is that terrible?”

“Well, I mean, what kind of person am I? He was my husband.”

“I told you, stop beating yourself up.”

“I’m sorry, bad habit.” Samantha put down her coffee. “I have a good title for our cable show—That’s Entertaining!—Jil Taillou suggested it to me. By the way, here’s a New York tidbit. Jil’s now escorting Clarice.”

“Does that bother you?” The therapist would not let her skirt the issue.

“I just don’t understand why that woman is suddenly all over my life. She’s dating my gay best friend, she’s out to dinner with my lover, she’s throwing benefits with Judy Tremont. I don’t mean her any harm. I just want her gone from my life. And gone from Barry’s life, too.”

“So this is really about Barry.” The therapist crossed her legs with a we’ve-finally-gotten-to-the-point assurance.

“Of course it’s about Barry,” Samantha snapped at her. “I want to marry Barry. I don’t want to be his debutante wet dream. He’s the one who said let’s take this to the next step.”

“And if Barry doesn’t marry you?” the therapist asked.

“Oh I’ll just kill myself,” Samantha replied quickly.

“Don’t make jokes like that.”

Samantha smiled. “I was just getting your attention. And I’m not worried. Barry’s a negotiator. He wouldn’t dream of not closing this deal. I just have to make it impossible for him to say no.”

“You sound like you’ve adopted his strategy.”

“That’s very insightful of you.” Samantha looked at her doctor directly. “Do you think my strategy will work?”

“Do you have a specific plan?” the therapist asked.

“I can put together this cable show and hide in the Hamptons. I mean if I refuse to see him until he shows up with a ring, won’t that get him to heel?”

“Certainly some people have been successful by doing that.”

“You mean you don’t have an opinion?” Samantha egged her on.