Page 48 of Partner Pursuit
Chapter Nineteen
She sipped her steaming tea, breathing in its fruity smell, hoping it would revive her. She hadn’t slept well last night. Even after the encouraging meeting with Genevieve, she’d been upset about Colette challenging her. Still, there had been moments when they’d worked well together at that team meeting. She had to foster that. She also didn’t understand why Malaburn was reluctant to proceed with her suggested argument. And she needed to persuade Malaburn that she was not “too nice” but stillbenice. She definitely didn’t want to end uplikehim.
She opened up Colette’s reply to her team email.
To:Audrey Willems
From:Colette Caron
Date: Tuesday, September 14
Subject:Please Circulate Deposition Outline
Dear Audrey,
Thanks so much for drafting and circulating your summary of our team meeting.
Also, per Hunter, please circulate a draft of your deposition outlinewhendone.
Regards, Colette
Audrey narrowed her eyes as she read the email. She was probably being too sensitive, but Colette seemed to be asserting herself as the dominant seniorassociate.
Gertrude knocked at the door and said that Mrs. Whitaker had called with a list ofgluten-free,salt-freecaterers to meet andtaste-test. Audrey looked at the list in shock. Twenty names were on the list. She didn’t have time to attendtaste-tests. This wasn’t a wedding. It was a departure party—all right, a departure party after a long and distinguished career, but still. She’d tell Mrs. Whitaker to hire whatever caterer she liked; Audrey didn’t have to attend the tastings. She called Mrs. Whitaker and suggested that, but Mrs. Whitaker insisted that Audrey come along because she’d been eating without salt or gluten for so long that she wasn’t sure what others would find delicious. Audrey asked her assistant to coordinate some dates with Mrs. Whitaker. It would be just her luck if Malaburn came looking for her when she was out of the office eating cake with Mrs.Whitaker.
Shere-readColette’s email.Should I ask Winnie what she thinks? Or just let it go?She decided it was too subtle to address without lookingthin-skinned. She would let itpass.
Chapter Twenty
Returning home after alate-nightdinner with Winnie, Audrey popped in on Eve to ask her advice on how to handle Colette. Eve was curled up on her couch reading a cookbook, with index cards spread out all around her, brainstorming recipes. Pete was traveling againthisweek.
She plopped down on Eve’s couch. “How was your week? Did Chef Burns approve your new dessert forthemenu?”
“He did. He actually mmm’d when eating it.” Eve grinned. “So satisfying. And yourweek?”
“I’m so happy for you. Not that good. I need your advice on Colette. And Winnie started meeting with headhunters to look for anotherjob.”
“Why?”
“She doesn’t want to work these hours. The Texas trip was the last straw. But I’ll be so sad if Winnie leaves. She’s my last close girlfriend atthefirm.”
“You’ll still see Winnie. And if she’s the client, you can take her out for dinner. How about some dessert to cheer you up? I just finished making concord grape sorbet and pumpkin spice cookies, and I need a guinea pig.” Eve jumped up and disappeared into her kitchen.
“Sounds delicious.” Audrey smiled.
Eve reappeared and handed her a bowl of sorbet with two cookies. Sittingcross-legged, Audrey happily savored the sorbet. “Mmm. This is so good.” She finished and put the empty bowl down on the coffee table. “These cookies too. Just the right hint of spiciness. They’re much better than anything I would’ve eaten out with Winnie.”
Eve smiled. “They’re good, aren’t they?” The kettle whistled, and Eve went into the kitchen.
Audrey followed her. “What’s happening at the restaurant?”
“Ugh, this new management, it’s a mess. Chef Burns said he’s looking at other options—with a position for me as executive pastry chef.” A huge smile spread across Eve’sface.
“Yes!” Audreyhigh-fivedEve. “I’m so happy for you.” She reached over and gave her friend a big hug. Eve had worked hard for this and put up with a lot. It wasn’t easy working as a woman in a professional kitchen, which were mostlymale-dominated. Eve had chosen pastry in part because pastry had itsown space.
“It’ll be good. I’m working on my menu. I can’t believe I can actually say that.” Eve did a little shimmy. “Pete bought me this mug to celebrate.” She held it out, displaying the slogan emblazoned in pink script across Eve’s white mug: “Chef. Because Badass isn’t an official title.”
“Aww. I can’t wait to make a reservation,” Audreysaid.
