Page 26 of Partner Pursuit
“That’s always so frustrating.”
“Yeah, you can never find adequateWi-Fi, you’re seen as ‘no fun’ because you’re working, you’re grumpy because you’re working, and it’s not worth the stress. But I’m planning a hiking trip with them in Canada, in the spring. I’m looking forward to that.” He stirred his coffee and looked pensive. “And if I don’t make partner, who knows, maybe I can reassess my priorities up there.” He looked intently ather.
“You’re not thinking of giving up being a lawyer, are you? You’re good at it.” She couldn’t imagine Timnotbeing a lawyer. And she couldn’t imagine not being a lawyer either.
“Probably not, but I don’t really want to stay around as a senior counsel if that’s the consolation prize. I haven’t done all this workforthat.”
She had to agree. She also didn’t want to watch others make partner, especially after seeing how bitter that had made Kevin. Tim’s phone buzzed, and he picked it up immediately.
“Dan’s called a team meeting in an hour. I’d better go back. Do you want to walk with me?” He stood, picking up his coffee cup, his phone, andthefile.
“Of course.” She grabbed herhalf-finishedcup oftea.
“Have a good day,” she said to the woman assheleft.
“You too dearie,” she called out after her, “Remember what Isaid!”
But she couldn’t think of how to flirt with Tim. As they walked back, Tim called his assistant and told her to print out various documents for his meeting. Her phone beeped. It was her best male friend,Max.
She texted back:Having coffeewithTim.
Max:Don’t let me interrupt. Go back toflirting!
She wasn’t flirting with Tim—not like with Jake; this couldn’t qualify as the same energy.
Tim was still talking to his assistant. Audrey whispered that she was going to stay outside and take a walk around the block. Tim nodded. She waved goodbye and called Max. She needed to talk about this with someone, and he was always good for the male perspective.
“That’s just the thing. I realized I can’t flirt with Tim,”shesaid.
“I never flirt at work. Too risky nowadays,”Maxsaid.
“Maybe that’s it.” She frowned. The fact that he was a work colleague was definitely making it difficult, but it could also just be an excuse. Or maybe it was that any thoughts of romance between them were quickly dwindling with the cold reality that the partners were going to possibly choose only one of them for partner. And she wouldn’t take it well if he made it and she didn’t. She had worked as hard as him for the past seven years—if notevenmore.
Chapter Eleven
Audrey heard her name being called as she closed the door of the black sedan dropping her off at the curb of her street on Thursday night.
“Hey,” Jake said. He was walking Biscuit.
“Hey yourself.” She walked over. “Thanks for the beautiful flowers. Tulips are my favorite. I’m sorry my thank you is delayed…”
“Too busy withwork?”
She petted Biscuit. “No, thinking of a worthy reply.”
Jake stepped closer. “You can always send over morehome-bakedcookies. Those weregood.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I did think of something.” She grinned. “You’ll seeitsoon.”
Jake’s phone beeped. He read the text. “A bunch of friends and I are going to see a band play at Irving Plaza. Do you want to come? The show starts at ten. I came home to walk Biscuit and then headdown.”
She hesitated. Oh, she wanted to say yes. She wanted to hang out with Jake. So much for getting a good night of sleep to plow through work in the morning. But she could reward herself. She had emailed Malaburn a finished assignment before she’d left the office.
“I’d love to.” Renewed energy filled her. “I’ll change while you’re walking Biscuit. Is there a dresscode?”
“Anything goes. You could wear what you’re wearing now. I’ll be wearing jeans. Shall I ring your doorbell in about 30minutes?”
“Yes.”
