“Good question. In my counseling with couples, I’ve found the key ingredient to a lasting relationship to be compatibility. So many times we women get our hearts way ahead of the game. In the book, I teach women to put their hearts on hold long enough to establish compatibility.”

“Is that what you did with your Mr. Right?” Lisa tilted her head.

The personal question caught Kate off guard. “Of course. You really can’t make a rational decision about someone’s suitability when your emotions are clouding your judgment.”

Lisa nodded. “We know how emotions can affect good judgment.” Lisa asked several more questions about the book; then they opened the line for callers.

“Stephanie from Boston, you’re on the air.” Lisa said.

“I have a question for Dr. Kate,” the caller said.

“Go ahead.” Lisa smiled, her berry lip gloss shimmering under the lights.

“I’d like to know why she married someone else when her real fiancé dumped her on their wedding day.”

What? The malicious tone, the ugly words, sent a wave of fear through Kate. She smiled through it. What was the caller’s name? Had Lisa said Stephanie?

“Dr. Kate?” Lisa asked, clearly confused. “I’m not sure what the caller’s referring to.”

“I’m not sure either . . .” Hang up. Disconnect the caller. Her eyes pleaded with Lisa.

“Her real fiancé was Bryan Montgomery,” the voice on the line continued. “And he dumped her the morning of the wedding. I’m not sure where Dr. Kate found her fake groom, but the wedding was phony, and so is she.”

This isn’t happening. Kate’s thoughts seized in a paralyzing spasm. She fought to control her expression. The camera was on her. What could she say? Her mind was a numb void. Help me, Jesus!

“Dr. Kate?”

Her head buzzed with electrical activity, all of it sparking nothing. No clever turn of phrase. No smooth transition of subject. The seconds stretched out like a long empty runway.

“My marriage is not fake.” She forced a calm tone. “It’s legal in every way.” Change the subject! “The advice in my book comes from years of extensive counseling and research. I have a passion for helping women find suitable partners, and that’s what this book is about.”

The producer was cuing a commercial. Sure, just as soon as Kate had found her tongue.

But Lisa was ending the segment. When they were off the air, she reached over and placed her hand on Kate’s. “I’m so sorry about that, Kate. I assure you it was as unexpected for me as it was for you.”

Kate stood on shaking legs as someone disengaged her mike and battery pack. She had to get out of there. She wanted to run someplace far away and hide.

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Two

Regret is a bitter friend.

—Excerpt from Finding Mr. Right-for-You by Dr. Kate