Page 13 of Partner Pursuit
“I can’t believe you have to go to Texas. Should I write a note to the senior associate about how essential you’ve been to theHencase?”
“Then he’ll just want more ofmytime.”
“True.” Audrey sighed. “Malaburn just asked me to update amemo.”
“How’d you get assigned more work? You have a full plate,” Winniesaid.
“He caught me in the stairway yesterday.”
“I’m not surprised he haunts the stairway. But he’s supposed to go through the assignment partner. Did you tell him that? That’s the whole point of the assignment partner. He can parcel out assignments fairly and make sure that no one associate is overburdened. It’s just like Malaburn to bypassthat.”
“I did tell him. And called the assignment partner.” Assignment partners should assign someone else to cover this when onvacation.
“Malaburn. The problem is he’s really influential. He’s one of thehighest-billingpartners because all he does is work,” Winnie said. “What’s he on? Like divorce number three?”
“I don’t see how I can say no,” Audrey said. Winnie didn’t contradict her. This was definitely a job for the assignment partner. “Anyway, Whitaker seemed depressed about it. I’m going to talk to HR and see if it’s true. Maybe it’s a surprise party.”
“I don’t think they throw surprise parties forseventy-year-oldpartners. Too much liability,” Winniesaid.
They ran to catch the light and cross the street. The sidewalk seemed less crowded than usual; probably most preferred to stay indoors in the air conditioning. A wise choice. Her shirt was sticking to her armpits. The sun burned her arms. The heat was radiating off the buildings. So, this was how it felt to be a piece of toast. She was getting cooked walking down the street between the twobuildings.
“But he’s a legend. I can’t believe they’re not throwing him a party. It’s not that much effort.” Audrey shaded her eyes to see the figures down the block. “Is that ColetteandTim?”
“Yeah, I forgot to tell you that I ran into him as he was on the way to lunch in the cafeteria. You could’ve met him for lunch there.”
“Because lunch in the cafeteria is soromantic.”
“Your crush, not mine,” Winnie said. “Maybe they found each other in the cafeteria and decided to go out for lunch.”
Colette’s shiny brown hair was pulled back in a tight ballerina bun. Tim bent his head slightly as if to catch what Colette was saying. Even though she wasn’t close enough to see Tim’s eyes, Audrey could visualize his chocolate eyes giving that cozy “we’re in this together” feeling.
“They look rather together,” Winniesaid.
Audrey bit her lip, considering this. Colette would definitely appeal to someone like Tim; Colette was so polished and sure of herself. Her breath hitched and she felt a slight ache of disappointment. Colette wouldn’t wait around for two years, content with casualstop-bys. Audrey waved as they neared. Tim said hello with an intimate smileat Audrey.
“Congratulations on getting the Popflicks case,” he said. “I could tell the GC likedyou.”
“I’m sorry it’sjust me.”
“It’s okay. Gives me more time to focus on my current case,”Timsaid.
Exactly. He had only one case and she, three very busy ones. She wiped a trickle of perspiration away from her brow. She seemed to be the only person sweating. Tim was wearing a highly starched,still-crispwhite shirt, and Colette’s sleeveless silk shift looked cool intheheat.
“I’m taking Tim to lunch.” Colette placed her hand on his arm. “I found this charming French bistro that opened last week. I met the French owner, so it might be authenticallygood.”
“Your father’s French, right?” Winnie asked.
Colette stilled.“Yes.”
“I didn’t realize your father was still alive. But you’re visiting only your mom this weekend?” Tim asked. Audrey glanced at Tim sharply. He seemed interested, if he was asking about her parents.
“I am visiting only my mom this weekend. My father’s still alive, physically speaking, but we don’t talk.” Colette smoothed into place a stray shiny brown tendril escaping hersleekbun.
“That’s terrible,” Audrey said. She would give a lot to have one more chance to speak with her father.
“It’s not a loss. He slept with his assistant, divorced my mom, didn’t always pay child support, but appears demonstratively physically happy with his new wife.” Coletteshuddered.
“That would do it,” Winniesaid.
