“Why the no?”
“Because of what Bronx told me. He’s pretty sure that I’m not the father and even questioned if she’s truly pregnant.”
“I’ve said the same thing.” Her fingers dance along my arm, roaming up and down. Her touch is soothing and something I crave daily. Joey is like my own personal source of oxygen. I don’t know how I ever considered myself to be living before I met her.
“I know, but she’s big.”
“And never touches her belly. When skin stretches it hurts, and when she was at our house she never asked you to feel the baby moving. I found that odd.”
“And that is something I didn’t even notice.”
We’re not the only ones waiting in the office. I’m trying to avoid looking around the room, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone, but it’s too late. As soon as I glance to my right there’s a woman staring and checking her phone. When she starts to stand, I sit up, causing Joey to move her head.
“Are you Josh Wilson?”
When they ask like that I’ve been tempted to say no, to see what they’d say, but I don’t want to be rude.
“I am.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe this. Here I am waiting to file for divorce and you’re sitting right here. You’re my favorite actor.”
Joey snickers beside me and I give her a knowing look.
“Thank you.”
“And you’re Joey?”
Now it’s me laughing. She’s always joked that no one will ever recognize her so she doesn’t need a disguise when she goes out. Not that I have one on aside from a baseball hat.
“I am,” she replies, beaming. I’m smiling too because I believe this is her first fan encounter and it’s a positive one.
“Can I get a photo with the both of you?”
“Absolutely,” I say, speaking for Joey as well. “Excuse me, can you take our photo?” I ask the man sitting across from us. He seems bothered by my question, but stands anyway. The fan hands him her phone.
I stand and her arm comes around me instantly. I try to put a little separation between us, but she moves closer, clearly needing to be inside my bubble.
“What side do you want me on?” Joey asks. The fan holds her other arm out, showing Joey where she wants her.
We stand for a few seconds smiling until the man hands her the phone back.
“Wow, thank you so much.” She starts to walk away and as we’re sitting back down she turns. “Wait, you guys aren’t getting a divorce, are you?”
“No, just signing some paperwork.”
“Oh phew. You guys were my favorite couple on Married Blind.”
“Thanks. And hey, if you’re interested, we start filming a new show next week. It’ll be live for the most part as we get ready to renew our vows.”
“I’ll be front row and center,” she exclaims, sitting back down. Her attention is solely on her phone now.
“She’s happy,” Joey says, leaning into me again.
“Even though she’s here to get a divorce, we made her day.”
Within seconds both our phones go off with notifications. We laugh as we check and find that she’s posted our picture on Instagram.
“I’m commenting,” Joey says, much to my surprise. I’m smiling when her comment on how excited she was to meet