Perfect Partners

Then he realized that what he really needed was to talk to Letty.
    Letty had a way of helping him see things more clearly at times. She would understand the new elements in the equation, the emotional and human elements that he sometimes misunderstood or simply ignored.
    Joel leaned forward and punched his intercom button. “Mrs. Sedgewick, put me through to Ms. Thornquist’s office.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    A moment later Bigley came on the line, his voice infused with new self-confidence and an awesome aura of competence.
    “This is Ms. Thornquist’s executive assistant, sir. I regret to inform you that Ms. Thornquist is unavailable. She has just left for lunch with Professor Dixon.”

17

    N ow, then, Letty, I’ve already contacted Dr. Sweetley and told her the nature of your problems. We’ve made an appointment for you on Monday afternoon. I think you’ll like her. She seems quite competent.” Philip surveyed the grilled salmon the waiter had placed in front of him. “We were lucky she could work you into her schedule so quickly.”
    Letty ignored her pan-fried oysters and fries. She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin on the back of her laced fingers. “Philip, you really are something else, you know that? Absolutely incredible.”
    He smiled. “Thank you, my dear. It’s good to hear you sounding more like yourself. Although I do understand why you’ve been avoiding me lately.”
    “You do?”
    “Certainly. When I discussed your attitude with Dr. Sweetley, she explained that you were naturally somewhat ambivalent about a return to the status quo of our relationship.”
    Letty shook her head. “‘Ambivalent’ is a rather ambivalent term for what I feel. I can give you a much more precise description, if you like.”
    “No need.” Philip dissected his salmon with a knife and fork, searching cautiously for bones. “According to Dr. Sweetley you suffered from low-self esteem during our relationship due to your inability to experience orgasm.”
    “For heaven’s sake, Philip. Not so loud.” Letty felt herself growing hot with embarrassment and irritation. She glanced around quickly to make certain Philip had not been overheard.
    She had agreed to have lunch with him on the spur of the moment. He had walked into her office claiming that they really needed to talk. Letty had decided it was time to try to make him understand that she had absolutely no intention of ever renewing the engagement.
    She also had to evict Philip from Thornquist Gear in a peaceable manner before Joel lost his patience entirely. Letty was afraid the little scene she had witnessed at the elevators yesterday was only the beginning. There was no telling what Joel would do the next time Philip annoyed him.
    Philip was sparing no expense on lunch, Letty acknowledged. The restaurant, stylishly decorated in Art Deco tones of pink and green with accents of black, was located near the Pike Place Market. It was packed with tourists and local business people who were “doing lunch.” Letty wondered how Philip had discovered the place. Perhaps Dr. Sweetley had recommended it.
    “Dr. Sweetley has also suggested that you are no doubt experiencing some generalized anxiety about our relationship and that you are in a state of denial regarding your inability to fully satisfy your sexual partner.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Yes. She says you are probably projecting, and it is also very likely that you are practicing some form of sublimation. Personally, I suspect running Thornquist Gear has become a substitute for sex for you.”
    “Philip, what would you say if I told you that I don’t have to substitute anything for sex? That I’m getting plenty of the real thing?”
    Philip gave her a concerned look. “Dr. Sweetley explained that you might insist that you were happy in a new relationship. Trying to convince me that you are sexually involved with another man is a way of venting your hostility, as I’m sure you’re well aware. It’s all right, my dear. There is no need to invent another relationship.”
    Letty gritted her teeth. “Let’s try this again from the top, Philip. I will spell this out for you in short, easily understood sentences. Our engagement is over. I have no desire to start it up again. I do not want to marry you. I do not want your help managing Thornquist Gear. I have a CEO to help me do that. Furthermore—”
    Philip held up a hand. “That brings up an interesting point.” He frowned