Page 59 of Partner Pursuit
“Yes,” she said. Now was the chance for something to happen. She glanced at him, then lookedaway.
The silence lengthened. Some crickets chirped. The cold aluminum of the lounge chair pressed intoherback.
He stood and stretched. “I’m beat. C’monBiscuit.”
She stood as well. “Thanks again for killing the waterbug.”
“Anytime.” He smiled. Their gazes held for a pulse too long. It was a perfect night for a kiss. She could feel his gaze lingering on her face. She stepped closer.
“That reminds me. I don’t have your number or email,” he said. “I’m leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow for the iHeartRadio music festival. And then we’re going to London. I’ll be gone for about two weeks. Can you take Biscuit next weekend? My sister is going to take him this week and next week, but she’s going away that weekend to visit friends in the Hamptons. My mom can do it,but…”
“I’d love to,” she interrupted his flowof words.
“I’ll get my keys and give my sister your email.” He disappeared through the hole in the fence, and the cold night air swooped into where he’d beenstanding.
She shivered and went back to her apartment to get her spare set of keys and her phone to store his numberand email.
She met him back outside. He was on the other side of the fence. The leaves of the trees rustled as a small breeze passed through. They exchanged numbers and emailaddresses.
As he handed her his keys over the fence, looking into her eyes, he mused, “Sharingkeys.”
She waited to see if he wouldsaymore.
He just smiled and shookhishead.
He’s driving me crazy. Should I go for it and kiss him? He might be really tired. And he’s about to go on a business trip. Also, there is a fence between us. Logistically, it seems challenging—at least for me. I’m not super smooth atthis.
To fill the silence, she said, “You’re also welcome to help yourself to my beer supply. I can’t seem to get rid of it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He leaned over the fence and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m shattered from last night. I’ll see you when I get back. Thanks for taking care ofBiscuit.”
“It’s my pleasure. Have a safe trip.” She walked through the dark yard to her door. The vetting had seemed like a sign of interest, but then nothing happened. She had been so sure that something would have happened yesterday had his sister not called. But tonight had been a second chance, sitting outside in the dark, sharing secrets.
As much as the kiss on her cheek moved her, a kiss on the cheek might mean that they were just friends. Maybe she wasn’t flirting enough or giving signals that she was interested in more? That was what the Starbucks lady had said to her: you need to flirt more. But their conversation had been flirtatious. The hushed air in the garden gave her no clues. She was sometimes surprised by how quiet it could be in New York, the silence only periodically broken by the wail of an ambulance siren in the distance. She was so frustrated. She should have kissed him. At least then she’d have an answer. No, the current status quo was still filled with possibility. She would value these nights of slowly learning more about each other. She had to have faith in herself.
Chapter Twenty-Six
As Audrey exited Malaburn’s office, she ran intoWhitaker.
“Are you working for Lawrence?” Whitaker asked.
“Yes,” she said after a pause; she was so used to referring to him by his last name that she’d forgotten Malaburn’s first name was Lawrence. They walked down the hallwaytogether.
“That’s unfortunate. He’s awetdrip.”
She looked at him, surprised at his openness. “Yes, we mutually dislike each other.”
“But he chose to work with you?”he asked.
“Apparently he needs to confirm I have what it takes to makepartner.”
Whitaker harrumphed as they reached his office. He motioned for her to join him inside. The office was filled with packing boxes. Framed pictures in bubble wrap leaned against the walls. “I didn’t think he had what it took to be a partner. He’s not a thoroughbred. We shared a secretary, and he was borderline verbally abusive to her, so I reported his behavior. If he’s not behaving with you, let me know. I’d be happy to hoist him up again.” He rubbed his hands together, looking like he relished the thought of theconflict.
I’m a litigator who doesn’t relishconflict.
“What’s your case about?” he asked, pulling out a chair for her to sit at his conference table.
She described the case and outlined her legal arguments, including the one argument that she thought was pivotal but that Malaburn had dismissed as too risky. Whitaker nodded asshe spoke.
