Page 63 of Partner Pursuit
“Do you cook?” Rolandaskedher.
“Notwell.”
“Lost art, I tell you. Lost art.” Roland shook his head forlornly. “I like to cook myself, but want to sharetheart.”
“Okay, let’s release the nice lady—she looks like she’s trying to get more ice—and go console ourselves with more canapes.” The friend tried to pull Rolandaway.
“A lot of cooks are here because Eve—that’s the name of the chef—invited friends in the business,”shesaid.
“See there, canapes and cooks, let’s go back to the dining table and see who we can meet. By the way, I’m Oliver. Great party.”
“Audrey. Thanks. Nice tomeetyou.”
As Roland removed his arm from around Audrey, Oliver said, “Maybe we’ll see you on yourwayback.”
Her apartment was starting to feel like a bulging suitcase where every time you tried to close it, a sock (or in this case, a person) popped out in the way of the zipper. But when three different friends—Eve, Max and herself—invited everyone they knew, that guaranteed a good crowd.
But Tim had not come, and Jake seemed to be fully occupied serving as the party DJ. At this point, it looked like neither of them was interested in her. Her friends must think she was completely delusional.
It was only an hour into the party, so Tim could still show up and Jake could start hanging out with her. She reminded herself that the purpose of the party was to kick off Eve’s catering business and introduce her cooking to as many of their workaholic friends as possible. Secondary to that was her opportunity to interact with Jake again in a party setting and Tim in anon-worksetting—and let her friends judge if either was romantically interested.
She’d had hercaramel-blondhair highlighted andblow-driedso it fell in waves around her face. She was wearing a sophisticatedmidnight-bluedress that brought out the blue of her eyes, or so the salesgirl had told her. And she was even wearing heels—sparkly sapphire heels that had been an impulse buy. Jake’s eyes had widened when he’d seen her as if he was impressed, but then he’d just made a “buddy” comment that she cleaned up nicely. The comment wasn’t totally unwarranted. That morning, he’d popped over, having arrived home from London earlier in the week, and helped her move most of her furniture against her whitewashed exposed brick wall to prepare for the party. Not having expected him, she’d had her hair in a ponytail and been wearing sweats. So much for following Max’s advice to be wearing lingerie! And then he’d rushed off to meet his mom. But now she’d heeded Max’s advice todress up.
With several “excuse me’s” and holding the ice bucket aloft, Audrey skirted around a group of Max’s friends and entered the kitchen. Pete was carefully chopping basil in one corner, wearing one of Eve’s aprons. The flowery apron was quite a contrast to Pete’s muscular frame, but he looked at home. Eve and Pete were chatting comfortably as Eve placed another tray into the oven. She was managing to keep the food flowing using Audrey’s kitchen as her base. This also gave her a chance to meet guests.
“The food is a huge hit. People keep telling me how delicious it is,” Audreysaid.
“It’s going well so far,” Eve said, looking pleased. “Several have come into the kitchen to tell me. One asked me to cater a Hamptons party.”
“We might have to make a weekend of it,” Pete said, rubbing Eve’sshoulders.
Audrey left the kitchen, maneuvering around two unknown guests discussing aNew Yorkerarticle (resisting the temptation to butt into their engaging conversation). The smell of fresh bread and melted cheese wafted from the kitchen. The dining table was in the center of the room, piled high with food. Spinning tiered trays showed off all the appetizers. Eve’s new business cards figured prominently on the table. Elegant tea lights sparkled on the table and the fireplace mantel. Guests were congregated around the dining table, eating, crunching on theavocado-toppedcrackers and other appetizers prepared by Eve, talking, having agoodtime.
Bursts of loud conversations acted like a crescendo periodically over the music in the background. Jake remained in the corner, working the music playlist. He had not only helped in the morning; he’d also arrived early to help set up the food and had brought extra alcohol and friends. Jake had made fun of her party “To Do” list until Eve had produced her catering list and Max had staunchly defended the use of lists. Jake had laughingly conceded then. Overall, he and Max seemed to get on, although they’d briefly tussled over DJ’ingthe party.
She delivered the ice to the bar. She was asking the bartender for a white wine when Max slid his arm around her and said, “Hopefully he won’t be too distracted by DJ’ing. I offered to DJ to free him up tohangout.”
“Oh, was that the reason? I wondered why you all of a sudden wanted to DJ. But his playlist was much better.”
“Always looking outforyou.”
“You’re so sweet…sometimes,” Audrey said. “Do you think he seems interested?”
Maxshrugged.
The front door opened. It was Tim—and Colette. That was not a good sign. Not quite the answer she’d been expecting, but if they were together, that eliminated Tim. She told Max, who had his back tothedoor.
“I’m finally going to meet Tim?” Max whispered. “After two years of hearing abouthim?”
“Behave!” Audreysaid.
“Is he someone I need to behavewith?”
“I mean, don’t tell any embarrassing storiesabout me.”
“What am I going to talk about,then?”
“Ugh. Thanks.”
