Page 43 of Partner Pursuit

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Audrey finished brushing Luna’s teeth as Jake returned with a smorgasbord ofnon-pinkshirts, hoping there was one she would like. Luna looked skeptically at the shirts.

His eyes, frustrated, met Audrey’s. She smiled wryly and said, “We’re about to be defeated bytwokids.”

“No, let’s use my mom’s advice,” he said. “Luna, my love,” he sang to the beat of “Fight Song,” “Let’s get this shirt on, sock and shoes. Socks and shoes. Can you get your shirt on? Shirt on, Let’s get this shirt on! Socks and shoes, we can do it.” Luna sang “socks and shoes” too and cooperated.

“Let’s get jackets on! Jackets on!” He roared as if it was rock and roll, and strummed an imaginary guitar. Audrey could see Jake as a rock star; he just needed to unbutton a few more buttons, not that she didn’t appreciate the view of the two already unbuttoned.

Audrey handed Thomas a drum that was in the toy bin by the dining room table, and he banged on it. Audrey grabbed a toy broom from that basket and, using it as a microphone, crooned, as best she could, “Jackets on!”

“Jackets on!” Luna yelled back, also strumming a pretend guitar and putting on her jacket.

“Knapsack on!” hesang.

“Knapsack on!” Luna yelledback.

“Stroller ready!” Audreysang.

“Way to go!” Jake chorused as he shut the door behindthem.

“I’ve got to remember to call my mom to tell her that the advice is brilliant,” Jake said as he wheeled the stroller out the door down the block back towards Columbus Avenue, Luna skipping alongsidehim.

“Super brilliant. Who knew?” Audreysaid.

“Thanks for all yourhelp.”

“Itwasfun.”

Their glances met. They’d been a good team. And he looked even hotter wheeling a stroller loaded with bags and holding Luna’s hand. The streets were crowded now, with parents rushing their children to school and single adults walking with purpose towards the subway. Luna started telling Jake about her school project.

As they reached the green subway entrance in the traffic island in the middle of 72ndStreet, Jake asked, “This is your subway, right? The daycare is over on West End Avenue a few blocks down, so we’ll make itintime.”

She nodded reluctantly.

“Say goodbye to Audrey,” he said toLuna.

Luna hugged her. Audrey loved those little arms holdingontoher.

Then Luna said, “You should marry this one. Mommy says that if you marry, I might get cousins I can playwith.”

Audrey blushed brightred.

“Fiona is determined to marry me off,” Jake said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m inPride and Prejudice, with Fiona playing the role of Mrs.Bennett.”

“Your sister is not remotely like Mrs.Bennett.”

“You have no idea. She invites me over to dinner, and half the time, she’s also invited a single girlfriend. It’s fu…n andawkward.”

Audrey laughed. “At least she thinks you’re a good catch.”

“I’d hope. But still, I think I can find someone on my own.” He smiled warmly at her. “Thanks again for coming out on the spur of the moment and helping me. Your talking bunny was superhelpful.”

“Your singingwaskey.”

“You can see why I’m in marketing and not outin front.”

They stood there, staring at each other, while crowds jostled around them, streaming towards the subway. Luna tugged at Jake’shand.

“We have to go,” Luna said. “Daddy usually kisses mommy goodbye here, and then we go.”