Page 68 of Partner Pursuit
Audrey nodded. She had had a crush on Tim for two years, before she met Jake. And he did support her career, warning her about Colette. She texted back yes toTim.
Chapter Thirty-One
Audrey came out of her bathroom, smoothing down a wrinkle in her little black dress, her hairblow-driedstraight. Hearing a knock on her backyard glass door, she looked up and saw Jake. She slid open the door to be greeted by a rush ofcoldair.
“Jake.” Surprised, she felt she had to be a little distant after the disappointment of last night. Normally she would’ve opened the door wide and invited him in, but now she stood partially in the door entrance and just looked athim.
He looked down for a minute and then looked up, sheepishly. “I want to apologize for last night. It won’t happen again. It’s over with Veronika. I mean, it’s been over for some time, but I also told her that her ‘I’m depressed’ texts at night have to go to another friend—unless she is depressed. But she can’t write me that text and then meet me at the door in lingerie.” He took a breath. “I thought maybe we could hang out tonight, but you’re dressed up. You look great. Are you going somewhere?”
She stepped back and let Jake in the apartment, closing the door behind him, playing for time. How to respond?I shouldn’t have said yes toTim.
“I’m meeting Tim for a movie,” she said reluctantly, embarrassed given their last charged encounter and this newoverture.
His eyes flashed. “Tim? Isn’t he the lawyer from yourfirm?”
“Yes, that’stheone.”
“You’re datinghim?”
“We’re meeting for a movie. I don’t know if it’s a date.” It probably wasn’t even adate.
“He seems like a player to me.”
She snorted. “Tim is not a player. He’s such a…straight arrow.”
“Is that yourtype?”
“I’m a lawyer. I’m not exactly wild—I obviously chose a conservative careerpath.”
Jake came up close to her and gently pushed her hair away from her face. “But you’ve a bit more spark.Like me.”
Flustered by his touch, she said, “Like you.” Then she worried that he would think she said that she liked him. She blushed.
He stared into her eyes for a moment. “What are the plans fortonight?”
“Dinner and a movie at Lincoln Center.” Which definitely sounded like adate.
“Where’s his apartment?”
“He lives in Murray Hill. I’ve never been. And I’ve known him for years.”
He seemed reassured by that and followed her up the spiral staircase. “Can I check out your movie collection again? I was hoping to watch a movie tonight, but nothing on Netflix is grabbing me.”
“Sure, feel free.” She waved to the DVD shelf as she checked her watch. “I have to leave.” They both stood there. She was reluctant to leave. He didn’t say anything. She was tempted to ask Jake, Is anything going on between us?But now was not the time, not when Tim was waiting. Her phone beeped. Her Uber was at the door.“Goodbye.”
“Bye,” Jake said. “I’ll go back out the back door. I left my keysathome.”
She walked out. She felt like she’d see him standing where she left him if she turned back around.
The night air was chilly as she and Tim walked back to her apartment. Although they had put their work phones away, agreeing no emergency was likely to happen, they had only discussed work during dinner. She’d much rather have spent the evening with Jake. After the movie, Tim had suggested that they pick up Magnolia cupcakes and enjoy them at her house, since the movie theatre was so close to herapartment.
As they entered her apartment, Audrey saw light from under the livingroomdoor.
“That’s weird. I don’t recall leaving the light on,” she whispered. Jake could have left the light on, but what if he’d left the sliding door unlocked? Sheshivered.
“I don’t think an intruder would leave thelight on.”
“Should I get an umbrella, justincase?”
