Page 9 of Partner Pursuit

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“Hmm, we’ll see how long that lasts,” Penny said. “I give it a week. If you would date someone for a while before jumping into a relationship, you might save yourself some agony.” Then she turned to Audrey and Eve. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen him and had a proper chat because”—her voice dropped to a low whisper—“he was dating this woman who watched him like ashe-hawk, and anytime he as much as glanced at another woman—even a longtime friend like me, she’d swoop in and”—Penny’s voice took on a Southern accent—“just desperatelyneedhim.”

“I don’t think Audrey needs to know all this,”Jakesaid.

Yes,I do.

Switching subjects, Jake asked, “How’s your acting career going?”

“Great, but that’s what I want to talk to you about. Do you mind if I steal him to catch up?” Penny linked armswithJake.

Eve and Audrey shook their heads. Audrey watched them go, then chided herself. She was here to enjoy a night out, not find a boyfriend, not if she wanted to make partner. A candle flared, punctuating the dusk, and the smell of citronella waftedover.

“I’m so glad we came,” Audrey said to Eve. “I haven’t been to a party in so long.” The party conversations murmured and swelled as if keeping time tothe music.

They dropped into two folding chairs placed in the corner at a good vantage point to check out the party. “Let me know if you see anyone of interest. Happy to play wing woman. I like Rafael.”

“Yes, he seems really sweet.”

“Sweet. That’s the kiss of death for dating. He’s tall and definitely handsome. And fit. And he cooks.” Eve gave her that look that said “your list is not so impossible afterall.”

“I wasn’t meaning sweet as the kissof death.”

Eve raised an eyebrow. “If you say so.”

“I didn’t feel that electricity. But it could be there…just grounded temporarily.” Her chair was rocking. She shifted it to more even ground.

“Make the most of it, this is happening. You don’t get out that oftenanymore.”

Suddenly, a woman in high heels in front of Audrey lost her footing on the brick path and fell back, spilling her white wine on Audrey’s black dress. The cold liquid hit her skin and shecriedout.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” The woman pushed her wispy blond hair out of her eyes. “I’m really sorry, your dress is sowet.”

“No worries. It will come out, I’m sure.” Audrey looked across the backyard to where Jake was talking to someone, his back to her. “Can you do me a favor and ask the host where his bathroom is? I’ll try to fixit there.”

“It’s the least I can do.” The woman made a beeline for Jake. Smiling wickedly, Audrey hurried to the bathroom, which was in the same location as in herapartment.

She left the bathroom, and at the door to the garden, she ran into Jake. He put his arm around her. The warmth of the physical contact surprised her. He smelled like fresh cotton laundry with a slight whiff of beer. He leaned in, one hand on the door next to her, her back against the sliding glass door. She held his gaze, her body buzzing. Enveloped in their own little bubble, the party noise receded into the background. It was just him andher.

“So, surprise, surprise, a woman actually asked me where the bathroom was,” he said in alow voice.

“And you wanted to share thatwith me?”

“I thought you might have had something to do withthat.”

“Didyou?”

“Yes.” He laughed. “You totally did. You’re so not good at keepingsecrets.”

She laughed. “Maybe. Imight’ve.”

“Are you sure you’re a corporate lawyer?”

“Positive.Why?”

“You seem too mischievous.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. His touch left a warm tingle. Her brain blanked. She couldn’t think of anything witty to say inresponse.

“It would have worked better if my apartment was bigger,” hesaid.

“Got to work with what I’ve got. I’m thinking it succeeded.” Raising her chin, she gazed directly into Jake’s eyes. He leaned in closer. She held her breath. Did he feel that pull of attraction too? Penny passed by, singing the words “I’m Staying Single.” Definitely no subtext for Jake there. Audrey caught the glance Penny gave him. He pulled away, smilingruefully.