“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t like it.” She crossed her arms. She’d met so many people who hated lawyers on principle, and she’d made it a personal mission to prove them wrong.
“Not doing it just to pay the bills while you plan your escape to something morecreative?”
“No.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “And being a lawyer is very creative. What type of lawyer isyourdad?”
“He sees himself as the creative type as well,” he said. “He’s a partner at White& Gilman.”
She nodded, acknowledging knowing the firm. She’d been offered a position there but had chosen its competitor, Howard, Parker & Smith, instead. The best ofthebest.
“Are you trying to make partner?”he asked.
“Yes. Six months until thedecision.”
Jake stepped back. “Law firm partner. That’s quite a commitment.” He looked over her shoulder, focusing on something happening in the party. More guests werearriving.
Not wanting to be the one left, she said, “I should continue circulating—with no phone,see!”
“It’s not in your purse?”
“I left itathome.”
“You took my advice?”
“No. Please, I just met you,” she said dryly. After Eve’s rebuke, it had seemed wise to leave her phone at home. And her dress didn’t have pockets.
“Well done, anyway,” he said. A man in a Nirvanat-shirtelbowed Jake gently and asked him the title of a song playing and if he had any details on the artist. Leaving her, Jake said, “Sorry, party duty calls.”
Audrey joined the conversation between Rafael and Eve. They had met before—at a cooking course. Audrey teased Rafael that he must have lots of women after him if he was a good cook. As she talked with them, she couldn’t stop her gaze from following Jake, who was chatting with one of the bartenders by the surfboard. When a striking blond woman in a purple mini dress and gray strappy platform heels came up to talk to him, he looked over at Audrey and winked. She blushed at being caught watching. She turned back to join the conversation with Eve and Rafael, determined to ignorehim.
“So, how do you know Jake?” Eve asked Rafael. He explained that they played soccer together onweekends.
“Jake, when’s your stuff coming?” Rafael asked as he passed them. “Do you need help withthemove?”
“Saturday. That’s why I had the party tonight—nothing can gettrashed.”
“As if you’d let anyone touch your record collection,” Rafaelsaid.
“True, no need to make enemies on the first day,” Jake said, adding he’d welcome Rafael’s help onSaturday.
Rafael introduced them around the party. They met several soccer players as well as high school and college friends of Jake’s. People were friendly and easy to talk to. Audrey caught Rafael studying her at one point, and she smiled back at him. Rafael was greeted by a woman and turned to talk to her. A golden retriever slipped past Audrey, followed byJake.
“Is that your dog?”Eve asked.
“Meet Biscuit,” Jake said. Audrey petted Biscuit’s furryhead.
A girl with bright blue hair in a bob haircut and an orange dress suddenly appeared and gave Jake a big hug. Stepping back, but still holding him, she said, “It’s been ages! I’m so happy to see you. And even more delighted you’ve seen the error of your ways and disentangled yourself from the clutches of thatshe-wolf.”
“Penny! You’re still the same, even with blue hair. Never one to mince words.” Jake kissed her lightly onthe cheek.
“Like it?” She tossedherhair.
“You’d look good in any hair color,” Jake said and introduced Eve and Audrey. Audrey could feel Penny appraising them subtly.
“You know you should take a break from serious relationships and just enjoy single life,” Penny said toJake.
“That’s exactly what I intend to do,”Jakesaid.
If he waited six months, that would be perfect.