Page 40 of Partner Pursuit

Page List

Font Size:

Fiona shrugged. “It was hard to get a read on her. She was good with kids, but so nervous around Biscuit. She seemed high maintenance—with all those outfits, although she did inspire me to think that I should vary my wardrobe from yoga pants and scrubs.” Fiona paused. “And she was so physical with you—always clinging to you and pettingyou.”

Note to self: Do not pet Jake—not thatshe would.

“Petting?” Jake asked.

“Petting,” Fiona said. “And she didn’t seem to have much of a senseof humor.”

“Don’t hold back now,” Jake said, looking embarrassed. Audrey felt bad forhim.

“Luna said she liked your friend the other day,” Fionasaid.

“Penny?” Jake asked.

“Oh, Penny. She has bright blue hair now?” Fiona asked.

“At the moment.” Jake smiled. “I didn’t know you were training Luna tobe aspy.”

“I’m not. She came home wanting blue hair,” Fionasaid.

“You and Penny both seem to think I can’t be happily single,”Jakesaid.

Happily single. She felt a pang. She was hoping he wanted to date her, but she couldn’t date anyway, so this was better.Just keep telling yourself that.She’d probably lost her chance after she’d left their dinnerabruptly.

“It’s not your usual modus operandi,” Fiona remarked as she loaded the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher.

“Work’s really busy for me right now,”Jakesaid.

“Of course.” Fiona patted his arm. “Too close a call withVeronika?”

Jake winced. “Are you a doctor or a psychologist?”

“I took a psychology course.”

“Apparently it wasn’tFreudian.”

Audrey swalloweda chuckle.

Fiona zipped the bag shut. “Finally, ready. I just need the diapers. Oh no, it smells like he made another poop. It’s hard to talk when you’ve got to hustle kids out the door in the morning—you start talking and lose all trackoftime.”

“I’ll change Thomas. You finish getting ready. Don’t worry.” Jake picked Thomas up from Fiona, holding him under the arms, andbaby-talkedto him, rubbing noses. Audrey’s heart melted. “Are you giving your mommy a hard time? Let’s go get you changed and say hello to your sister while mommy gets a moment to herself.” He carried Thomas to the back of the apartment, holding him slightly away to protect his crisply ironed shirt. He smiled at Audrey. “Audrey, come meetLuna.”

“You’re lucky your work is a bit more flexible with hours,” Fiona calledafterhim.

“One of the reasons I love my job. Just have to be on time for my label meeting this morning. And remember I’m in Las Vegas on September23-25for the IHeartRadio Music Festival, so you have to take care ofBiscuit.”

Fiona replied that it was on thecalendar.

Jake led the way to the changing table in Fiona’s bedroom. Jake looked at her and raised his eyebrow as he changed Thomas, and a poop smell filledtheroom.

“I’m impressed,” Audreysaid.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to change him on first meeting. Secondmeeting?”

His crisp blue shirt brought out his eyes. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his hands and forearms were tanned. He had beautiful, capable hands.

Audrey punched his arm playfully. “And I thought you said you know how to flatter agirl.”

“I’m sure you’d be great at changing diapers,” Jake said. He picked Thomas up and heldhim close.