Page 24 of Partner Pursuit
Cookies could be taken as a neighborly gesture, but if she continued sending gifts, then it could no longer fall under the pretense of a “neighborly welcome.” She was upping the ante, and the gifts had to reflect that. Plus, she knew she’d be attracted to someone who challenged and intrigued her, and so her gifts back, she gauged, should be a little mischievous.
Game on, she thought happily.
Chapter Ten
Audrey changed from her flats to heels. Tim had called that Thursday morning to suggest meeting for a coffee and to ask if she still had her files from that antitrust case she had done years ago. She pulled out the files for Tim. She hoped he hadn’t called her just for her research. It wasn’t the first time he’d asked. To be fair to him, though, others also asked. She had a reputation for thorough research ever since, as athird-yearassociate, she had found some obscure case for Malaburn that was straight on point that local counsel hadn’t even found. Malaburn had then staffed her on all his cases—and proceeded to make her life hell for eight months. He’d been in the middle of divorce number two. Approaching his door, she’d overheard one conversation when he’d said, “You should be glad law is my mistress. It’s not like I’m cheating on you with a person.” She’d quickly retreated fromhisdoor.
Although she’d worried that Tim was staying “out of it,” he had warned her about Colette; he was being there for her. So, she should ask his advice on Malaburn; Tim had never mentioned any issueswithhim.
The firm’s spacious reception area was on the top floor of the skyscraper so that thefloor-to-ceilingwindows could impress visitors with the views of the New York City skyline. Tim was on his phone, leaning against one of the marble columns, looking out the windows, one hand in his pocket. Her heart felt a little pang. She still found him attractive, even if she wasn’t sure where she stood with him anymore. And even if he wasoff-limitsfor the next six months.
She nodded to the guard at the mahogany reception desk with Howard, Parker & Smith emblazoned across it in brass letters. As her heels clicked on the white marble floor, Tim smiled at her and ended his call. Straightening, their glances meeting, he said, “Glad you could make it. Is that your researchfile?”
“Yes, but it’s from a few yearsago.”
“I’m sure it will help.” He took the file and tucked it under his arm. As the elevator doors closed, he said, “I’m happy you could come. I need the break.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “I worked all weekend and stayed late every night this week. I can’t believe the hours I’m putting in.” That didn’t sound like he and Colette were dating.
Once they were out on the street, with no colleagues around, she asked, “Do you have any advice on working forMalaburn?”
“Malaburn?” He looked at her. “You should be able to knock it out of the park if it’s justresearch.”
“I hope. But you and he had no issues, right?”
“No, I mean I was a second year. I don’t think I wowed him as much as you did, and he was quite fine to see me go onto another case. He yelled at me for my formatting. I think I underlined something that was capitalized and that tickedhimoff.”
“Yeah, he’s got a thing for formatting. When he explained his formatting peeves, I couldn’t believe he wasserious.”
Starbucks was around the corner, so it was a quick trip. She wished that they were walking slower so she could enjoy the warmth of the sun on her face and arms before they had to return to theair-conditionedoffices.
Tim held the door for her as they entered the crowded shop. She offered to grab a table while he put in the orders. The free table was wedged between a man working intently on his laptop and an older woman, wearing three colorful scarves and a bright yellow muumuu, reading a newspaper. A shopping cart filled with newspapers was parked next to her. Audrey slid into a seat against the wall facing the counter. A mothball odor drifted over from the older woman. Tim was giving their orders to a barista, who seemed to be flirtingwithhim.
“I always take this seat,” the woman said, unsolicited. “Gives a great view of all the action.”
“It does,” Audreysaid.
“Waiting for someone?” the woman asked.
As she said yes, Tim strode up and put the folder and his phone on the table. “Do you need sugar oranything?”
“No thanks.”
The older woman spoke up as he left: “Ooo, he’s a keeper, honey.”
“He’s not mine,” Audreysaid.
“Don’t let that stop you,” she said. “He’s yours at the moment.”
Audrey looked at her, bemused.
Tim returned with the drinks. “One chai tea for you and one big bolt of caffeine for me.” He sat down and pushed back his chair so he had room to stretch out his legs. “I’ve got friends coming into town this weekend. I wanted to get ahead so I’d have time to hang out with them. But working for Dan is pretty intense.” He pulled the cases out of the folder. He flipped through the stapled documents and asked her which ones he should start with. She examined the cases, reviewing her notes at the top of each case, and suggested various avenuesto pursue.
“Did Malaburn call you all the time when you worked for him?”she asked.
“No, but I was junior. Stacy was the senior associate on the case. She definitely complained about him. Is Hunter taking you as his guest to the business development conference at the Marriott?” Tim asked. “Alastair just invited me.” Alastair was Tim’s partner mentor—a similar relationship to hers with Hunter.
“No, at least he hasn’t invited meyet.”
“Maybe he’s not going. He does like to get home to his family.”
