Page 72 of Partner Pursuit

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“Do you have to work, or can we spend the day together?” he asked, almost hesitantly.

It was Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day. Technically, it was a holiday, but she had planned to work. She remembered Eve’s words: if you sleep with Jake and you’ve got plans, you cancel those plans. She hadn’t imagined that those words would ever apply to her. She’d had so many unrequited crushes, but here he was—with her. And last night—her face flushed.

He kissed her. “You’re so cute when you blush.”

“I hate thatI blush.”

“No, you shouldn’t.” He tenderly ran his fingers throughherhair.

“I don’t have to work today,” she said. “What do you want to do?”

“I have a really fun idea. Let’s go mountain biking.”

“Mountain biking?” she asked,surprised.

“Have you everbeen?”

“No.”

“You’ll love it. Perfect for today’s fall weather. I know a really good beginner’s path. We can either go to a trail in Queens or Staten Island. If you’re up for it, I’m pretty sure I can rent a bikeforyou.”

It was not what she’d expected him to suggest, but it would be fun to be out biking on a crisp October day, especially with the leaves turning a kaleidoscope of colors: yellow, green, orange, burnt umber.

“I’m up for it,” she said enthusiastically.

He smiled. “That’smygirl.”

And she felt like she was definitelyhisgirl.

Chapter Thirty-Two

On Tuesday, Audrey floated into work, although her body was sore from biking over rough terrain. Jake was so easy and comfortable to be with. He didn’t seem to mind that she clearly wasn’t the best mountain biker around, especially when he showed her the mountain biking position (stay loose, butt slightly over saddle and torso low on the handlebars, elbows bent) and she’d stayed too loose, falling promptly over with the bike. But she’d gotten up quickly, although she had a hard time both staying loose and maintaining the athletic body crouch. He’d been a good teacher—so sweet and protective. He’d tried her bike first to make sure that everything worked.

What am I doing working in the office every weekend when I could be out in the crisp fall air biking through trees, joking aroundwithJake?

Her mother’s voice sounded in her head: “Building your career takes dedication and time to accumulate the deep reservoir of knowledge and expertise.” But the day of biking reminded her of hiking Bear Mountain with her dad and mom on weekends when she was a kid. Her mom had become sowork-intenseafter her father died—as the sole breadwinner. Yesterday’s trip reminded Audrey that her mom hadn’t always been that way. That was one of the shocks of losing her father—she hadn’t just lost her dad, but part of her mom. Her whole family life had changed.

Working all the time at the law firm had also changed her. But she still wanted that validation of making partner.And I’d be agoodone.

Tim emailed, asking why she hadn’t been at work yesterday and if she wanted to meet for coffee, but she said that she couldn’t meet and she didn’t answer the question. She would have to tell him she was dating Jake, but not today. Not when it was all sonew.

At two in the afternoon, Jake sent a text:Changeof plans.

Her heart dropped.

Jake: I’ve found the perfect place for our first official date. It’s a restaurant called…Her heart resumed beating.

Jake:Wait for it.

Audrey:Waiting with bated breath

Jake: Bated or baited? The restaurant is called Live Bait. Have you been? It’s fun. Very lively.

Audrey: Because the bait is still alive?

Jake: Lol. Made a reservation for 7:30. Seeyou there.

She arrived early to the restaurant. She told herself she’d come in early and stay late tomorrow. The largehand-paintedLive Bait sign on the front of the restaurant façade looked like it had been written by a child in a mix ofupper-andlower-caseletters, and underneath it, large neon letters flashed “Bar Restaurant” in red. More neon signs (“Dixie, BBQ, Raw Bar, Beer”) adorned the twoaluminum-framedwindows on either side of the door. A handwritten sign in the window said, “If you want home cooking, stay home” next to a medal for cooking. Buoys filled the bottom of the window.